Sim Audio Moon W5 vs Electrocompaniet Amp


Hi, its coming together for me. My two front runners are the Moon W5 and the Electrocompiet AW180 which I am interested in based on reviews but haven't heard yet. I want this amp to pair with my Levinson 380S and drive a pair of Proac D15's (replacement for the 1.5) which I plan to get in a couple of months.

Does anyone have any experience with either these two amps and in particularly any impressions on this Electrocompiet gear? As always, thanks for your input.
128x128hifimatt
Not sure where celery got the 'warm' from. But I should expect such an ignorant response from one who thinks the I-5 would be the sonic equivalent of the W-5. Celery obviously never listened to a W-5. That's like saying celery's older bottom of the line Electro amp and pre-amp that he is now selling is as good as Electro's top of the line. I'm sure he believes this too.

But I did mention the W-5 adds a certain sweetness to the sound. In fact, International Audio Review's Peter Moncrief listed the W-5 tied as the 3rd best solid state amp in 1999.

An excerpt from that review "... . The Moon W-5 hits almost ideally the best possible compromise for a no-feedback design. It's sound features a relaxed, easy quality that almost let you forget that you're listening through solid state equipment. Yet it's sound is also very clean and clear, close to the best solid state amps that do use loop feedback. ... . The Moon offers a wonderful balance between the clean articulation typical of solid state and the sweet relaxation typical of tube sound. ..."

Celery, do your homework before spouting off sarcastic remarks.

-John
Nice to know you think so highly of reviewers and base your own thoughts on their opinions. You are an enlightened person. Your comments utilizing professional viewers quotes to prove your points certainly makes a lasting impression with me. Thank you for setting me straight. Peter Mocriefs views will influence my thoughts and hearing experiences as well as your dealer demo opinions on stereo equipment. Are you actually quoting as gospel the same Peter Moncrief who said the Verity Audio Parisfals are terrible speakers? Yet, Stereophile said the Fidelios, the smaller version of the Parisfals (which have about 70% of the parisfal's capabilities) were one of the better speakers they had heard at any price and gave them a class A rating. I believe these same Parisfals have been awarded several Best in Show awards by every major audio magazine. Hmmm......what is going on here? Is everyone else in the high end community insane and Peter is the lone voice of reason? How can it be??? Perhaps we should look to your idea of "homework" which in your opinion are quite clearly "professional" reviews for the answers that perplex us in this hobby. What do we do when we have one reviewer, who in your case you quote as gospel disagreeing with everyone else in the high end audio press? Is he a lone Martin Luther with just cause or could it be that he is wrong yet again. If he says Sim is warm and the Parisfals are bad he needs a hearing aid of the highest order and you need a new prophet to base your listening "opinions" on. Please refrain from regurgitated copyrighted review quotes and your "in-depth" dealer demo observations. Do your own "homework", that is listen to equipment in your own home to form an opinion. At least then it will be your own opinion, not Peter Moncrief's.
Electrocompaniet only manufactures one pre-amplifier model at a time. There is no "bottom of the line" pre amplifier in their line up. Thanks for your thoughts on gear you have demonstrated very clearly you know nothing about. Perhaps you can come back with a witty, hostile rebutle quoting even more copyrighted material from the audio press. Your "opinions" are wonderful.
Please insert "sweet" instead of warm. I stand by my previous statements even with the word substitution. I hope Peter Moncrief will forgive me.

Please Audiogon ))!!!!!!!!!END THIS THREAD!!!!!!!!(( There are alot more things to do in this world then fight about gear opinions. Electrocompaniet may not be for you but that is no reason to bash it. I think it is wonderful gear that deserves to be heard and SIM gear is quite good and deserves an audition too. They present music in two very different windows.
Different strokes for different folks.
I really did not want to stir up an argument so sorry about that. I am sure these both are good amps when in the right system. There are many people that like the Electro gear which is what caught my attention, but it is very difficult when you cannot audtion that gear and determine what gives you the most bang for the buck. The Moon is at least a known entity to me so that is probably my front runner at this point, however I suppose that could change again before I finally shell out the money. Thanks for your opinions.
MAtt
I really did not want to stir up an argument so sorry about that. I am sure these both are good amps when in the right system. There are many people that like the Electro gear which is what caught my attention, but it is very difficult when you cannot audtion that gear and determine what gives you the most bang for the buck. The Moon is at least a known entity to me so that is probably my front runner at this point, however I suppose that could change again before I finally shell out the money. Thanks for your opinions.
MAtt