MOON 861 + 891 HiFi Set, North Collection

The MOON 861 + 891 HiFi Set is the flagship duo of the MOON North Collection: a separately built reference stereo combination consisting of the high-power 861 power amplifier and the 891 streaming preamplifier with DAC.

More amplification, more conversion, more calm than anything else in the MOON range – built for speakers and rooms that really want to be challenged. Via MOONLink, both units play together as one.

Why this set?

Because nothing is shared here that sounds better kept separate. The 861 is raw control: 300 watts per channel at 8 ohms, 600 watts at 4 ohms and up to 800 watts as a monoblock, plus a damping factor of 900 that keeps even large woofers on a short leash. MDCA technology, true dual-mono and the absence of global negative feedback keep the signal clean.

The 891 is the reference-level control centre: the MDE-3 engine converts PCM up to 32-bit / 384 kHz, native DSD256 and MQA, the M-RAY2 volume control operates with extremely low noise, and the MOON Damping Base (MDB) mechanically decouples the sensitive electronics from the surface underneath. Add to that streaming via MiND 2 (Roon Ready, Tidal, Qobuz), six digital inputs, HDMI ARC and a fully balanced MM/MC phono stage.

What you hear

Composure you feel more than you hear. Even as the level rises, the playback stays relaxed – no compressing, no sharpening, just more music. In almost every situation the 861 has more reserve than the room ever calls for, and that's exactly what you hear in its calm.

Add to that the silence of the 891: a background free of base noise, against which the finest details – a cymbal's decay, a concert hall's reverb – stay clearly present instead of disappearing. Soundstage, depth layering and dynamics feel bigger and more natural as a result than with smaller chains.

Who is this set for – and who is it not for?

For demanding floorstanding or large speakers in big, well set-up rooms – and for listeners who want the maximum from both digital sources and vinyl alike, without thinking about external phono stages or converter boxes.

Honest take: for normal living-room volume in a medium-sized room, this is clearly oversized – most of its potential simply sleeps. If you want something a bit more compact but still at a high level, the 761 + 791 suits you better; if you want everything in one chassis, look at the MOON 371. And yes, the 861 weighs around 58 kilograms – think about where it will stand before you buy, not once you're unpacking it.

Our verdict

The 861/891 isn't a device you buy out of reason, but for perfection: the most uncompromising chain MOON currently builds. When the speakers and the room are right, the search ends here. We at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil are, as a long-standing MOON partner, the right people to match such a system realistically to your room and your speakers – honestly, even when a size smaller makes more sense.

What the trade 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

MOON 861 – power amplifier

• Output power (stereo, 8 Ω): 300 W per channel
• Output power (stereo, 4 Ω): 600 W per channel
• Output power (mono, 8 Ω): 800 W
• Frequency response: 2 Hz – 100 kHz (+0 / −3 dB)
• Distortion (THD+N @ 300 W): 0.001 %
• Damping factor: 900
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 119 dB
• Power supply: 2× 1,500 VA low-noise toroidal transformers, 240,000 µF
• Technology: MDCA, dual-mono, no global negative feedback, mono mode (bridged)
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 48.1 × 21 × 60.9 cm
• Weight: 58 kg

MOON 891 – network player / preamplifier

• Streaming: MiND 2 – Roon Ready, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect and more
• DAC: MDE-3, PCM up to 32-bit / 384 kHz, native DSD256, MQA
• Digital inputs: 6 (AES/EBU, 2× coaxial, 2× optical, USB)
• Video: 1× HDMI with ARC
• Analogue inputs: 2× RCA, 2× XLR, phono MM/MC (adjustable)
• Signal-to-noise ratio (preamplifier): 125 dB
• Technology: M-RAY2 volume control, MOON Damping Base (MDB), fully balanced, BRM-1 remote control
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 48.1 × 14 × 44.9 cm
• Weight: 25 kg

• Warranty (MOON Switzerland): 5 years
• What's included: 861, 891, 2× power cable, 1× BRM-1 remote control, MOONLink cable, 2× Wi-Fi antenna (891), spare fuses, manuals

Frequently asked questions

What's included in the MOON 861 + 891 set?
The high-power 861 power amplifier and the 891 streaming preamplifier with DAC from the North Collection, plus BRM-1 remote control, power cables, MOONLink cable and Wi-Fi antennas. Apart from speakers and cables, the system is then complete.

How big and heavy is the set?
The 861 measures 48.1 × 21 × 60.9 cm and weighs around 58 kg, while the 891 is noticeably more manageable at 48.1 × 14 × 44.9 cm and around 25 kg. Plan a stable, well-ventilated spot for the power amplifier – ideally close to the floor.

Is the set Roon Ready and streaming-capable?
Yes. Via the 891's MiND 2 platform, the set is Roon Ready and supports Tidal, Qobuz and other services. Music also plays without a paid subscription – internet radio or files from your home network, for instance. Hi-res up to DSD256 and MQA are also processed.

What's the difference to the MOON 761 + 791 set?
More power and more reserves. The 861 delivers 300 instead of 200 watts at 8 ohms and a higher damping factor, while the 891 adds the MDE-3 engine, M-RAY2 control and the MOON Damping Base. For large speakers and rooms, the 861/891 is the more uncompromising choice.

Why buy the MOON 861 + 891 set at HD Zürisee?
Because a flagship system demands proper setup and honest advice, not two boxes. We help with speaker matching, placement and streaming setup, deliver and install on site if you like, and as an authorised MOON dealer in Wädenswil we handle warranty and service – with our own technician.

Goes well with

You'll find the right floorstanding speakers under Speakers, and high-quality cabling under Cables. The full range is shown in the MOON Collection.