MOON · Reference
$36,000
MOON · Reference
The 850P is MOON's reference analog preamplifier: a two-chassis, fully balanced design with 40 stages of inductive DC filtering, a suspended audio board and a 130 dB signal-to-noise ratio.
Price is for one unit (two chassis).
Authorized MOON dealer · Delivery and installation by Pearl Audio · Trade-ins welcome
The story
The 850P separates what must be quiet from what makes noise. The audio circuitry lives alone in one chassis, suspended on MOON's M-Octave damping system; the power supply, digital controller, software and display occupy the other. Inside, each integrated circuit in the signal path has its own inductor in the power supply regulation, 40 stages in all (MOON calls it i2DCf), and the gain stage is fully balanced from input to output. Three balanced and five single-ended inputs each have ±10 dB gain offset and can be set to bypass the volume control for home theater. The FRM-3 aluminum remote is included.
Stereophile's Brian Damkroger called it "the most transparent preamp, or audio component of any sort, that I've heard," and TONEAudio's Jeff Dorgay described "a rare component in the way it disappears, revealing nothing but the music." The 850P is for an all-analog reference system with the 861 or a pair of 888s; listeners who want streaming built in should look at the 891.
Black, Silver and 2-Tone are MOON's standard finishes and carry the same price. Choose your finish under Options and pricing above.
| Type | Fully balanced analog preamplifier, two chassis |
| Inputs | 3 × XLR, 5 × RCA; sensitivity 200 mV – 4.0 V; 11 kΩ |
| Outputs | 2 × XLR, 2 × RCA (one fixed, one variable); 50 Ω |
| Gain | 9 dB |
| Frequency response | 5 Hz – 100 kHz (±0.1 dB) |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 130 dB at full output |
| THD | 0.0005% (20 Hz – 20 kHz) |
| Intermodulation distortion | 0.0001% |
| Crosstalk | −130 dB at 1 kHz |
| Remote | FRM-3 aluminum remote included |
| Dimensions, each chassis (W × H × D) | 18.75 × 4.0 × 16.5 in (47.6 × 10.2 × 41.9 cm) |
| Shipping weight | 151 lb (67 kg), both chassis |
The 850P is MOON's only separate analog preamplifier; the network player / preamplifiers combine the function with streaming and a DAC.
Partner it with the MOON 861 or a pair of 888 monoblocks, and the 810LP for vinyl.
Plan your MOON system with Pearl Audio
Pearl Audio is an authorized MOON dealer. We can help with system matching, placement and ventilation, delivery and setup, and arrange a listening appointment. Call (503) 222-2599 or email sales@pearlaudio.com.
Owner resources
The Pearl Audio experience
A system at this level should be heard, thoughtfully matched, and properly set up. From the first audition to long-term ownership, you work with the same people, in person.
Hear the 850P Preamplifier by appointment in one of our two purpose-designed demonstration rooms, with your own music and time to compare without pressure.
We deliver and install throughout the Portland area, taking care of placement, connections, ventilation and system configuration ourselves.
We support everything we sell for as long as you own it, whether the answer comes by phone, in your home, or through factory service.
Trade-in assistance and qualifying 100% Trade-Up options give you flexibility when your listening priorities or your system change.
