Simaudio and Sonus Faber?

To Doug Schneider,

I don’t know if you remember the test of the Simaudio Moon Evolution 740P preamp some years ago. Here in Norway, there is some problem with hi-fi shops -- I can’t seem to hear this preamp and the loudspeakers I want together. My preferred loudspeakers are Sonus Faber Olympica IIIs, and I would love to hear from someone who has tried this preamp, and maybe hear if you believe that Simaudio and Sonus Faber will be a good match.

My preferred sound is open and airy treble with a good middle tone and a firm bass. And I love Pink Floyd music together with the Eagles and even Pet Shop Boys, and even Metallica and Motörhead.

So, if you could spare me some minutes answering this e-mail, I would be grateful.

Best regards,
Haakon B.
Norway

I am happy to. I not only remember the review, I still have that same 740P in my system, so I know it well. I don’t know if you’re aware that I also reviewed the Sonus Faber Olympica III speakers a few years ago.

The thing about the 740P is that it’s shockingly transparent -- it does not add to or subtract from the sound. It will simply pass through the music signal it's fed. As a result, if you’re looking for your preamplifier to add some sort of sonic signature -- a richness in the midrange, perhaps -- the 740P just won’t do it. On the other hand, I’m pretty sure you don’t want that. The Olympica III has a distinctive sound and the 740P will let you hear that, but without adding any colorations of its own. . . . Doug Schneider