MOON 681 Network Player & DAC, North Collection

The MOON 681 is a network player with an integrated D/A converter from the MOON North Collection, delivering high-resolution streaming and digital sources at reference level.

It combines a streamer, DAC and a volume control in a fully balanced chassis – hand-built in Canada, made to be the digital nerve centre of a high-quality system.

Why the MOON 681?

The MiND2 module streams from Qobuz, TIDAL, Deezer and HighResAudio, the MDE-1 DAC converts up to 384 kHz/32-bit and DSD256, including MQA. The entire signal path is fully balanced, and the MHV volume control (MOON Hybrid Volume) combines analogue and digital control with minimal loss. Six digital inputs plus HDMI with ARC integrate a CD transport, TV and more, the 4.3-inch OLED colour display shows cover art and track titles, and via MOONLink and the BRM-1 remote control you control everything centrally.

What you hear

Silence as the foundation: with a signal-to-noise ratio of 125 dB and distortion of 0.0003 %, the finest details emerge from a pitch-black background. Playback is open, clean and spacious – digital sources sound as effortless and natural as you'd expect from a pure PCM/DSD converter of this class.

Who is the 681 for?

For anyone who wants streaming and digital sources at the highest level. Honest take: the 681 is a digital source – it has no analogue line inputs and no phono stage. Thanks to its own volume control, you can connect it directly to a power amp such as the MOON 761, or use it at fixed level as a source for an integrated amplifier such as the 641. Anyone who also wants to integrate a turntable and analogue sources should look at the larger MOON 791. For CD you need a transport (e.g. the MOON 260DT) at the digital input.

Our verdict

The 681 is the digital heart of the North Collection – a streamer and reference DAC in one, with the flexibility to drive a power amp directly. How it fits into your chain, we'll show you at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil.

What the trade press says: "…it certainly deserves a place on the shortlist." – What Hi-Fi, 2024.

Technical data

• Type: network player with D/A converter, fully balanced
• Streaming: MiND2 – Qobuz, TIDAL, Deezer, HighResAudio, MQA
• DAC: MDE-1, up to 384 kHz / 32-bit, DSD256
• Inputs: 6 digital inputs, 1 HDMI with ARC
• Volume control: MHV (MOON Hybrid Volume)
• Analogue output voltage: 2 / 3.5 / 6.5 V RMS
• Frequency response: 2 Hz – 100 kHz (+0 / –3 dB)
• Signal-to-noise ratio / dynamic range: 125 dB · Crosstalk: –125 dB
• Distortion (THD+N @0dBfs): 0.0003 % · IMD: 0.0002 %
• Controls: 4.3-inch OLED colour display, BRM-1 remote control, MOONLink
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 48.1 × 10.2 × 42.7 cm · Weight: 18 kg
• Origin: hand-built in Canada · 5-year warranty (MOON Switzerland)
• What's included: MOON 681 network player/DAC, BRM-1 remote control, power cable, MOONLink cable, Wi-Fi antennas, manual

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a preamplifier alongside the MOON 681?

Not necessarily. Thanks to the built-in MHV volume control, you can connect the 681 directly to a power amp such as the MOON 761. With an integrated amplifier such as the 641, you use it at fixed level as a source.

Can I connect vinyl or analogue sources?

No, the 681 is purely digital and has neither analogue line inputs nor a phono stage. Anyone wanting to integrate a turntable and analogue sources should look at the larger MOON 791, which offers exactly that.

Which resolutions and services does the 681 support?

It streams via MiND2 from Qobuz, TIDAL, Deezer and HighResAudio, and converts PCM up to 384 kHz/32-bit as well as DSD256, including MQA – covering practically everything from CD quality up to Hi-Res.

Why buy the MOON 681 at HD Zürisee?

Because a streamer of this class needs to be set up properly and integrated into the chain. In Wädenswil, we set up streaming and services, choose the right power amp or integrated amplifier, deliver, install and handle warranty and service with our own technician. Call us (044 680 22 00), write to us, or reach us on WhatsApp (076 534 22 00, text only, no calls).

Goes well with

The 681 plays into a power amp or an integrated amplifier – plus matching speakers: Power Amplifiers · Integrated Amplifiers · Speakers · MOON