Should I get the Moon 891 streamer/dac/preamp for my Moon 861 amp? Or separates?

@dman777 

You raise a fair point, but I would also note that you aren’t really locked into their proprietary app. Their app is good, but you could operate the 891 with Roon for library management and use the mechanical remote Simaudio provides (which is really, really nice) to control source and volume. So, you’d not be stuck. 

From a performance standpoint, I wonder if you could do materially better with $25k to spend on DAC, preamp, streamer and cables separately. Perhaps, but I’m skeptical. Of course, it becomes an expensive proposition if you might choose to go further upstream down the road. If you are ikely do that, then perhaps go separates now. If you think you’re likely to be done after this, then I personally think it’s a great route. And, I say this as someone who has typically gone the route of more expensive separates.  

Regardless - their app is not horrible. Indeed, I found it comparable to others I’ve used in the past like BluOS, Aurender Conductor, Lightning DS, etc., No - it’s not as good as Roon from a UI, but Roon also hasn’t, at least in my experience, sounded as good as the native apps provided by a manufacturer.  And, I believe you can actually run Roon as well and switch between MIND and Roon as you see fit.

Best, 

@mgrif104  I'm seriously considering the 891 because I need to come down to reality. I don't really have the money to keep playing around with different equipment. Roon sounds like a great option. If I use Roon on the 891, do I lose any sound quality?

@dman777 

I can’t say if you’ll lose sound quality with Roon when played through the 891. But, I wonder if it matters as you could use the MIND2 app for serious listening and Roon for music discovery if you found there was a difference. Best of both worlds and an easy switch of inputs.

And you might find you like navigating w/ the MIND2 app just fine. I’ve used it - and it’s significantly better than the T+A Music Navigator that I routinely use with my equipment. And the remote that goes with the 891 is vastly better too. 

In my experience, all gear has some element of compromise. There is no perfect component.  Yes, you can optimize each but there are limits there.

I like the Simaudio gear and think it’s a good value at that price. While I can think of a couple of competing options I also like very much in that range ($25-$40k), the 891 is the best value, comes from a great company from our friends in Canada who’s been around a long time and supports their gear with strong warranties. 

You should do what works for you, but I don’t think the software will be problematic for you. To repeat myself - if I were to do it again, that’s the unit I’d buy and I’d have saved myself lots of money, time and effort.

I agree that a lot depends on your overall system and preferences.

I have the Moon 891 and a pair of 761 amps in bi-amp mode.  I have high end interconnects and custom designed speaker wires.  The speakers are Sonus Faber Serafino.  The room is 17' by 16' with 8.5 foot ceiling with acoustic tiles and wall to wall carpeting.  I also have carefully controlled power.

The Moon system is terrific.  Reasonably but not overly analytical and not mushy.  I listen to mostly classical music mostly streaming on Qobuz.  This works well.

A lot depends on the speakers.  Sonus Faber goes great with Simaudio Moon.  Sonus Faber are also on the warm side compared to say Magico.  

So, as noted by others, a lot depends on your overall system and preferences. but chances are the 891 will work extremely well.  One final point.  Simaudio is a terrific, reliable company.  They have been entirely supportive of me as I developed the system.

The refinement and soundstage with that 891/861 combo is excellent. I would try to find a dealer you can demo at. Mine let me borrow their 891. Where are you located?