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

Hello @dman777 ,  you have a wonderful amp.  Like some, I am in the separates camp and realize the benefit of that more now than ever.  I also believe a quality preamp is almost always better than a volume control in a DAC or DAC / streamer.  While I have Audionet amp and preamp in my main system, I have a Moon integrated in a vacation home and love it.  My case in point about separates is that I have changed my DAC and my streamer, but keep my amps and preamp.

i would consider keeping the Mcintosh for now and trying a quality DAC.  That way you are using the same volume control and know the pre amp sound.  And this from a decidedly non McIntosh fan.  A used Tambaqui can be had now for under $8,0000.  I am sure the digital volume control on this great DAC is not as good as your present preamp.  But  am also sure the DAC is world class.

i don’t think you can easily perceive what a good streamer brings until you have a good DAC.  That was my experience, and adding a quality streamer to my Tambaqui was another big improvement.

Another way to word your question is ‘how much better is the comparable Moon preamp to their combo pre / streamer / DAC (preamp and volume section)?’

I am sure the answer is better, by how much that is the value / importance question. 

But with separates you will always be able to upgrade (and you will) and will never regret your purchase.

@fastfreight thanks! I am enjoying the sound of the moon amp, especially now that it's somewhat broken in. The only issue is that Moon doesn't really offer a preamp for this tier without a streamer and dac. So, if I want to go with a separate streamer and dac then then I'm pretty much stuck buying a different brand preamp. It wouldn't make sense financially to buy the moon 891 just for a preamp. It kind of bothers me because I would like that synergy I would get with a moon preamp. But as of right now I feel like I want separates for streamer and dac

Having owned Moon in the past, I would want a DAC and preamp that is warmer and more musical than Moon tends to be. So, perhaps this is good. 

@ghdprentice  I heard their past amps were like that. But that's not the case with North collection. It's definitely nice and warm but clear. I would save my Luxman is brighter

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