chirskent

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
4.33 of 5, 6.00 votes

Price Paid:  $1800.00 from From friend

Summary:
I just purchased a moon audio I-5 from a friend as I’m building a secondary system. I hooked up to my KEF reference 3.2 and Orelle evo2 CD player The moon audio I-5 is quite a talented amplifier. The sound in upper range is detailed and the bass is tuneful and well controlled. I was quite impressed by the precision and quality of acoustic material. Instruments where detailed and accurate while still maintaining a linear response. Many amplifiers are a tad bit bright to perceive and achieve better detail however this was not apparent in the I-5. Vocals while playing Diana K showed a real presence in purity with very little coloration in sound. The soundstage was open and imaging was quite superb you could feel Eric Clapton’s guitar in Layla played with such precision and dimension. A true sign of a good amplifier. I would recommend this integrated to anyone who listens to vast majority of music and just wants an overall good performer. I just wanted something that could at least come close to my primary system which consists of Orelle products and to a certain degree it achieved its goal. It may not be as transparent and articulate as my Orelle integrated however for the price(1800cdn) that I paid for my I-5 I can’t complain.

Strengths:
imaging, clarity, soundstage....good overall performer

Weaknesses:
May not have the finesse and sophistication needed for classical and acoustics style musics.

Similar Products Used:
Orelle SA100 evo2 Exposure 3010 Arcam fmj a32 Bryston 3b

sdgjkc1

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $1610.00 from Primus Audio Pleasur

Summary:
Because I am new to this forum, I have not the slightest idea how to start a new review on a product not listed - in this case the Moon i3 intergrated amplifier. I can't say enough good about this product. I researched this purchase along with other products (see below along with KARAN Acoustics i180) for nearly one year - excessive maybe, but I don't have $1,660 skins to plop down every week so I put a lot of thought into this purcahse. I could not be happier. The bass is strong but not bloomy or opressive, the midrange is natural and comfortable, the highs are detailed and pleasent. The integrated handles my rather eclectic musical interests (Asleep At the Wheel to Steve Roach to Goreki's Symphony Sorrowful Songs and all styles in-between) with a delicate control and finesse I am not accustomed to. I simply set the listening level, sit back and lavish in the music. My listening area is nearly the ideal, the "magic triangle" (isosceles triangle) and the imaging is wonderful. If one were concerned with "only" 100 watts RMS into 8 ohms, let me say something. Watts are importnat, but also look at the power supply. If the power supply is deficient all the watts in the world are not going to help. This integrated amplifier will produce SPLs in excess of what is wise (with efficient speakers). My wife and teenagers all complain about my listening into the wee hours of the morning (imagine teenages saying the music is too loud - heehee). I enjoy this product so much I plan on purchasing the Sim Audio Moon Eclispe CD player and then I'll look at upgrading my speakers - but as it stands now I may not need to. Happy listening ......

Strengths:
Very detail and stable soundstage image (front to back, left to right) - instrument and voices stay put (or move as they were recorded, Think Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon). This integrated amplifier makes my PSB 5Ts sing in a way they never have before.

Weaknesses:
Would like to have a headphone "jack"

Similar Products Used:
None - First audiophile-level purchase. Auditioned Perreaux i200R, Bryston B60R.

ggolub

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Price Paid:  $0.00 from delve audio

Summary:
All I can say this is a marvelous amp. It produces very clean, open but not analytical sound. Soundstage is holographic. In a beginning I was going to buy i-3. Once I auditioned that - I could not resist. It worse it. 70 watt per channel is more than enough for me. I highely recommend it.

Strengths:
Very clean but not boring sound.

Weaknesses:
Remote control while is very very solid and heavy have tendency to jump 2 instead of 1 readings.

Price Paid:  $1500.00 from Private sale

Summary:
This is a amazing amp, before I buy it, I compared it with Carry Audio's tube integrated SLI-80 Signature amp side by side, some area I5 even sounded better, and it do sound like a tube amp!But carry sounded better on piano, and warmer than I5.

Strengths:
For this price, almost everything.

Weaknesses:
Hve not found yet.

Price Paid:  $2500.00 from A.S.

Summary:
This is one unique amplifier. It is fast, no sound coloration, great separation, reliability, build quality... But, most importantly it is very musical, moving and has unique emotional impact. I am very happy with a purchase, and can't see myself selling it, ever... If I ever need bigger amp... I'll just get another one... I-5 is truly in-replacebaly for things it does.

Strengths:
Musical, no sound coloration, fast, unique amp, keeper...

Weaknesses:
None at this price.

Similar Products Used:
I had couple of amplifiers in the past... but nothing that compares to this one.