02.2021 - Audio Emporium

Moon River Audio

Hot off the presses from Sweden are the gorgeous sounding Moon River Integrated amps.

The design brief is to create solid state integrateds that sound like full fledged tube units, without the heat and subsequent poor reliability of tubes. The noise level is scant. The dynamics, rich bass and golden overtones are a treat to hear! If ever there was an integrated that outperformed what you expected from reading specs, 404R is IT!

404R Reference Integrated Amp, $5000

50×2 @ 8 ohms (5.31h, 16.92w, 15.35d, 29 lbs)

Moon River Audio of Sweden (yes, built in Sweden!) makes two integrated amps. This is the 404R Reference. Below will be the “standard” 404. The step up to 404R IS worthwhile, so I’ll start with it.

Moon River was founded by designer George Polychronidis. He has been a technical engineer for a decade, designing products on a free lance basis for companies you’ve heard of. George started Moon River because he is proud of his lush sounding, more articulate, transparent mouse trap.

In short, 404R is a solid state integrated amp that sounds as you would expect from a full tubed unit- without the noise, heat and poor reliability concomitant with tubes. George feels the best way to attain this is with a classic AB design with conspicuously ginormous power supplies. George has several unique twists in his design that deliver performance unlike what the other guys make.

404R has a remarkably warm and dynamic sound. It’s full of life and excels especially in the midrange where the music breathes. The vocal region, dare I say, is as good as any integrated I’ve ever heard! It brings out texture and color, with a rich, robust palate.

404R is a star at deciphering low level information and depicting space between instruments. It throws a soundstage with great space and depth. I gotta tell ya, if you’re lover of vocals that are rich in character (Shelby Lynne anyone?!) you are going to be enamored with Moon River.

I admit that I had my worries about the 50×2 power rating. I didn’t know if it would push speakers like Brystons that like their power. But I can assure you, really, that this is NOT a problem. The 404R has plenty of push to drive Brystons and Pans to volumes that please me- without reservation. I’m not a hammerhead. Assuming you aren’t, you’ll be amply pleased with Moon River’s push and punch.

George designs for efficient build and service. For example, he uses through-put PCBs. Even the bottom panel comes off for more easy access.

Build:

*Class AB

*Large toroidal transformer

*Massive power supply with 107,000uF storage

*21,000uF is dedicated to the revelatory discrete preamp

*Five separate power supplies!

*Sturdy steel chassis

*Blue Alps Volume Pot!

*Balance Control

*Stereo/mono switch

*Aluminum control knobs

*Walnut cheeks

*No headphone jack

*3 year warranty

Inputs:

4 RCA Line Level inputs

#1 is modular: You can install an MM module $400, or MM/MC $550

#4 is modular: You can install a Moon River USB DAC, $670

Tape Monitor Loop: input and output

Outputs:

Two RCA preamp outs

Moon River 404 Integrated Amp $3500

(50×2, 5.31h, 16.92w, 15.35d, 26 lbs)

The 404 is similar to the 404R above, with lesser transformer and power supply. Storage on 404 is 57,000uF. It offers just what you would infer. It’s a discrete cut above the Asian competition but not as transparent and lush as the 404R above. Features are the same.

Wharfedale Diamond 12 Series Now In!

Diamond 12 Series: Black Ash, White Ash, Walnut, Light Oak

The new 12 Series features an improved bass/mid driver construction dubbed KLARITY. The Klarity cones are comprised of ribbed polypropylene, which have been infused with Mica. The resulting strength allows the 12 Series to be less colored and deliver more muscle than similarly priced competitors.

The tweeter is Silk and has a new magnet and mounting system for superior speed and dispersion. The 12 Series uses air core inductors- quite unusual at these price points. All models run an easy 8 ohm impedance.

What I’ve found with the new D 12 Series is that the two lower models in particular are a big step up from their predecessors. For ex, typically, you can’t expect much out of a 4” woofer. I heard some $900 competitors recently that feature a 4” and thought- well, at least they don’t BOTTOM. But they didn’t have much drive. The 12.0’s woofer will impress you for sure. The Klarity cone is no idle advertising copy. It makes the 4” sound robust. The $300 D 12.0 had more push than the pretty wood faced $900 Italian job.

Having said that, D 12.1 is well worth $100 more. I ran it in one of our bigger studios with the Marantz 30 package just to see how it could do- given a stupendous front end. I was very impressed with clarity, image and ample bass. Given any modest sized room, D 12.1 will probably be enough. Butttt…

Make no mistake, the 12.2 at $500 is the sweetest spot in the line. The extra fullness it delivers with its 6.5 is unmistakably richer, for only a Cnote more. When I look at what the market offered just five years ago at this price point, I’m happy to say, we’ve improved quite a bit in openness and bass without being murky.