Simaudio MOON Evolution W-8 Flagship Stereo Power Amplifier

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Flagship amp from Simaudio in the late 2000's, and about the best modern app you can purchase.

Super neutral, quiet, and full of features.

Last retailed for $10.200.   

This listing is for the W-8 amplifier with the original Simaudio bottom feet, and a power cord.

From a Stereophile review by Kalman Rubinson:
Conclusion
The Simaudio Moon Evolution W-8 is an outstanding power amplifier. It was powerful, clean, and transparent, with all sorts of music and with all of the speakers I tried. My observation of a subtle warmth with certain combinations was context-dependent, and is as likely to be a positive contribution as not. One might just as easily refer to other amps as "cool," thereby shifting the implication of fault from one to the other. But neither statement is more true than the other. Depending on speaker and context, one can only express preference, not absolute superiority. Earlier Moon amps have been particularly well suited for full-range panel speakers such as Quads and Magnepans; I think the W-8, too, would do well with such speakers.

While the W-8 is not cheap at $10,200, it is sonically competitive with any amp I've used, and better than most. Regardless of size or price, few amps have more than a few dB more useful output at the W-8's power ratings of 250Wpc at 8 ohms, 500Wpc at 4 ohms, and 1kWpc at 2 ohms. With wisely chosen accompanying speakers, the Simaudio Moon Evolution W-8 is capable of state-of-the-art performance. Did I like it? You bet.

From our SkyFi YouTube Channel:

Click below to add our recommended matching cables from Kimber Kable, all brand new as SkyFi is an official Kimber dealer.

Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Better

Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Best

Kimber Kable - BALANCED XLR Connectors - Better

Kimber Kable - BALANCED XLR Connectors - Best

Kimber Kable - Speaker Cables - Better

Kimber Summit Series Monocle XL Speaker Cables (PAIR) - Best

Kimber Summit Series BiFocal XL Bi-Wire Speaker Cables (PAIR) - Best If Applicable 

Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Better

Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Best

Please see our last photos or the linked manual below for full specifications:

Simaudio MOON Evolution W-8 Stereo Power Amplifier - Manual

The SkyFi Testing Process for Solid State Amplifiers:

We start with a visual inspection of all internal components to make sure that there are no signs of heat stress or damage. Capacitors are checked for telltale signs of predictive failure including bulging, shrunken wrappers, or physical leakage. We also inspect the PCBs for discoloration from resistors or transistors that may have been running hot. On vintage units we often spot check select capacitors for value and ESR.

If the amplifier passes visual inspection, we move on to a controlled power on sequence using a Sencore safety analyzer to monitor current draw in real time. Once the amplifier is determined to be safe to operate, we connect it to full AC mains for function and power testing. We connect the speaker outputs of the amplifier to a Sencore PA81 Power Analyzer which acts as a dummy load, DC offset monitor, and oscilloscope interface. We start with a low level 1KHz test signal at the amplifier’s input and slowly increase its amplitude while monitoring the output on an oscilloscope for signs of noise, clipping, distortion, or improper channel balance. We continue increasing the signal level until the amplifier reaches clipping. At this point we take an output power measurement and compare it to the spec sheet of the amplifier to verify proper performance. If the device under test has both balanced and single ended inputs they are both tested at this time. We finish off the bench evaluation with a 1KHz square wave check and a 20Hz to 20KHz sine sweep to assess the amplifier’s frequency response characteristics. This battery of tests will usually reveal if the amplifier has any issues that need further attention.

Before the device leaves the bench, we perform a listening test with actual music using a variety of preferred test tracks. Our benches are outfitted with familiar monitor speakers which help us identify inconsistencies that will not always show up on our test gear. The main things that we are listening for are hum or noise with no signal present, proper center image, clicks, pops, or any other obvious undesirable audio characteristics.

If the unit passes all of these tests it is moved to our long term testing rig where we simulate real word operating conditions for 6-8 hours. This allows us to monitor the unit for signs of thermal runaway or intermittent issues that only crop up when the unit has fully come up to temperature.