Monitor Speakers:
+ System One *
+ System Two
+ System Three *
+ System Four
+ System Five
+ System Six *

Floorstanders:
+ System One *
+ System Two *
+ System Three *
+ System Four
+ System Five *
+ System Six *
+ System Seven *

Elite Systems:

+ System One *

Reference Systems:

+ System One *

 * System on Display

Monitor Speakers: System Six

MOON CD 5.3 CD player ($3000)
MOON i-5.3 85w/ch integrated amp ($3000)
Joseph Audio RM 7 XL speakers ($2300)
Harmonic tech Truth Link Silver int. ($300)
Harmonic Tech Pro Nine Plus sp. wr. ($800)
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MSRP System Price: ($9400) $7800

System Hallmarks: This is such a great system. I use this system as the ultimate sleeper system, that is, its in my den, speakers jammed into bookshelves, books crowding them, and the visual presentation is nondescript. Looks are quite deceiving in this case. The new pieces from Sim Audio are wonderful. A clear step up from the Equinox and the i-3, at slightly less overall power. The CD-5.3 is a high end piece. It puts flesh on the bones of some of these old CDs we all have, and reaches down into the pits of the really good recordings, bringing whatever the production values are right into the room. The new i-5, the icon of the line, now the 5.3, is simply better. Slightly more powerful but 85w vs 70w, but the translation is more fullness, more lush soundstage than solid state ususally delivers. The RM 7s are as superb as they say, only now they're even better, smoother treble, more dynamic delivery. "How does it get any better than this?" was one person's wide-eyed question. "Where's the subwoofer?" another.

The most amazing thing about the synergy of this system is that it is very chameleon-like. Even though the speakers are not out in the open, on stands, the three dimensionality of the presentation is vivid. If the recording has spatial cues, they come through. The nature of this nearfield listening environment is such that the detail is exquisite. The touch of the artists is not lost here. The infinite slope crossover enables the speakers to face straight ahead and still disperse the musical information into a wide yet focused soundstage. Play a dry, studio recording, that's what you get. Play Patricia Barber at her sultry best and she casts a spell on you. Play a Dave Weckle drum solo and it feels like on top of you, certainly in the room. Will the system sound better with the speakes on stands? Yes. Is this a high end system? Oh yeah...

Highlighted Components:

Loudspeakers:
Joseph Audio RM 7 XL

Amplification:
MOON i-5.3

Source:
MOON CD 5.3