MOON 861 Stereo Power Amplifier North Collection

The MOON 861 is a stereo power amplifier from the North Collection and the more powerful of the series' two heavyweights: 300 watts per channel into 8 Ω in true dual-mono design.

It isn't loud for loudness' sake – it simply has so much headroom that it never has to push its limits. That's exactly what you hear as calm.

Why the MOON 861?

Because control here comes from sheer reserves. Two low-noise 1,500 VA toroidal transformers and 240,000 µF of filter capacitance form an energy reservoir like a dam, from which the amplifier draws instantly during dynamic peaks. The MOON Distortion-Cancelling Amplifier (MDCA) corrects distortion outside the signal path, and a damping factor of 900 pins down even the most stubborn speakers. Via MOONLink it integrates cleanly into your system.

What you hear

A bass foundation that stays deep, fast and well-defined even when things get complex. A pitch-black silence between the notes, from which the finest details emerge. And a soundstage with room to breathe in every direction. Even during long, demanding listening sessions the 861 stays thermally relaxed – it never even approaches the point where things get tight.

Who is the MOON 861 for? (and who it isn't – straight talk)

Built for demanding floorstanding speakers, low impedances and larger rooms – anywhere a smaller amplifier runs out of breath too soon. Paired with the MOON 791 or the flagship 891, it forms an uncompromising chain.

Straight talk: for compact bookshelf speakers in a small room, it's simply oversized – the MOON 761 handles that easily. And at 58 kg it's no lightweight: it wants a stable surface and, ideally, is set down properly once. You only carry it upstairs once.

Our verdict

A power amplifier for speakers that push other amplifiers to their limits. If you want control over truly demanding transducers – without harshness, without strain, without end – this is exactly right.

What the specialist press says: StereoNET Applause Award for the North combination 891 + 861 – “The 891 and 861 sit atop MOON’s prestigious North Collection with good reason…” (StereoNET, 2024).

Technical data

• Output power (stereo, 8 Ω): 300 W per channel
• Output power (stereo, 4 Ω): 600 W per channel
• Output power (mono, bridged): 800 W into 8 Ω, 1,600 W into 4 Ω
• Circuit design: Dual-mono, MOON Distortion-Cancelling Amplifier (MDCA)
• Inputs: 1× XLR (balanced), 1× RCA
• Input sensitivity: 1.4 V · Input impedance: 47 kΩ · Gain: 31 dB
• Frequency response: 2 Hz – 100 kHz (+0 dB / –3 dB)
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 119 dB · Crosstalk: –119 dB
• Total harmonic distortion + noise (THD+N @ 300 W): 0.001 %
• Damping factor: 900
• Power supply: 2× 1,500 VA low-noise MOON toroidal transformers, 240,000 µF capacitance
• System integration: MOONLink
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 48.1 × 21 × 60.9 cm
• Weight: 58 kg
• Warranty (MOON Switzerland): 5 years
• Included in delivery: MOON 861, power cable, MOONLink cable, user manual and warranty documents

Frequently asked questions

How much power does the MOON 861 have?
300 watts per channel into 8 Ω, 600 watts into 4 Ω, and 800 watts in bridged mono operation. These reserves mainly serve control: even during loud, dynamic passages the amplifier stays composed and thermally stable.

What's the difference between the MOON 861 and 761?
The 861 delivers 300 instead of 200 watts per channel and has a significantly larger power supply: two 1,500 VA transformers, 240,000 µF of capacitance and a damping factor of 900. It's designed for more demanding speakers and larger rooms; the 761 covers everything below that.

Which speakers suit the MOON 861?
Mainly demanding floorstanding speakers with low or fluctuating impedance. The high damping factor and dual-mono design give them tight control. For small, easy-to-drive speakers it's oversized – a smaller amplifier is enough there.

How heavy is the MOON 861 and what should I place it on?
It weighs around 58 kg and belongs on a stable surface or a sturdy rack. We're happy to deliver it and set it up properly on site – a sensible move given the weight.

Why buy the MOON 861 at HD Zürisee?
Because an amplifier of this class needs more than just the box: we advise you on the right preamp and speaker combination, deliver and install the heavy unit on site, and stand behind you as an authorised dealer with five years of warranty and our own technician.

Goes well with

Find the matching preamplifier under Preamplifiers, demanding speakers under Speakers and the right cabling under Cables. More from the series is shown in the MOON Collection.