MOON by Simaudio has expanded its Compass Collection with the new MOON 491 Network Player/Preamplifier and MOON 461 Power Amplifier, a Canadian-made streaming and amplification pairing built for listeners who want one serious high-end system without turning the rack into a wiring nightmare.
Designed and handcrafted just outside Montréal, the 491 combines a network player, preamplifier, DAC, MM/MC phono stage, and headphone amplifier in one chassis, while the 461 delivers 150 watts per channel and borrows MOON’s distortion-cancelling amplifier architecture from the flagship North Collection.
The timing feels right. MOON has built a reputation for delivering strong performance for the money in the high-end category, and this new pairing arrives with the same kind of momentum currently rattling Bell Centre glass during the Canadiens’ unexpected 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs run.
“As a pairing, the 491 and 461 represent a complete expression of the Compass Collection,” said Etienne Gautier, CCO of Simaudio. “Together they deliver outstanding musical performance and system flexibility, while also forming a visually striking statement that will look exceptional in any environment, from contemporary interiors to traditional spaces. The MOON 491 and MOON 461 are the True Direction.”
That “complete expression” part matters. The 491 is not just another streamer with a nice faceplate. With MiND 2 streaming, Roon Ready support, AirPlay, Bluetooth, Qobuz Connect, TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect, analog and digital inputs, adjustable MM/MC phono support, headphone output, and MOON’s Hybrid Power supply, it is clearly designed to be the hub for $6,500 USD.
Add the 461 power amplifier, with MOON Hybrid Power and MDCA technology, and the Compass Collection starts to look less like a lifestyle stack and more like a proper no-nonsense two-box high-end system with Canadian muscle. No poutine theatrics required. This is more like a smoked meat sandwich from Lester’s with fries and a hearty karnatzel on the side: straightforward, satisfying, and built to do the job without asking for applause.
MOON 491 Network Player/Preamplifier: One Box to Run Streaming, Vinyl, Digital and Headphones
The MOON 491 Network Player/Preamplifier is designed to be the control center of a serious two-channel system. It combines a network player, preamplifier, DAC, MM/MC phono stage, and headphone amplifier in one chassis, which means it can manage streaming, digital sources, analog components, turntables, headphones, and system volume without requiring five separate boxes and a weekend with cable labels.
At the center of the 491 is MOON’s proprietary MiND 2 streaming platform. It works as a UPnP renderer, a Roon Ready endpoint, and supports AirPlay and Bluetooth. The MOON MiND Controller app for iOS and Android provides access to Qobuz, TIDAL, Deezer, and Spotify, while direct platform support includes Qobuz Connect, TIDAL Connect, and Spotify Connect. That gives users multiple ways to stream without being forced into one control path. Having used MiND 2 at AXPONA 2026, I can attest to its relatively easy learning curve.
The 491 also takes vinyl seriously. Its built-in phono stage supports both MM and MC cartridges, with adjustments for loading, capacitance, gain, and equalization through the on-screen menu.
Analog connectivity includes one RCA line-level input, one balanced XLR input, and one phono input. Outputs include fixed and variable RCA, variable balanced XLR, and a 1/4 inch headphone jack. The large color display shows volume, album art, and track information, while control is handled through the app, front-panel buttons, and the aluminum CRM-4 remote.
MOON’s Hybrid Power supply is also part of the package, blending linear and switch-mode power supply technologies to provide stable, low-noise DC power. According to MOON, the design operates beyond the audio band to avoid contaminating sensitive audio circuits, helping lower the noise floor and improve dynamic range.
MOON 491 Network Player/Preamplifier Specifications:
- Product type: Network player, preamplifier, DAC, phono stage, headphone amplifier
- Streaming platform: MOON MiND 2
- Network playback: UPnP renderer
- Roon support: Roon Ready
- Wireless support: AirPlay, Bluetooth
- App control: MOON MiND Controller app for iOS and Android
- Streaming services via app: Qobuz, TIDAL, Deezer, Spotify
- Connect support: Qobuz Connect, TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect
- Phono stage: MM and MC cartridge support
- Phono adjustments: Loading, capacitance, gain, equalization
- Analog inputs: 1 RCA line-level input, 1 balanced XLR input, 1 phono input
- Outputs: Fixed RCA, variable RCA, variable balanced XLR, 1/4 inch headphone output
- Digital inputs: HDMI ARC, S/PDIF, Toslink, AES-EBU
- Ethernet: 2 inputs
- Input sensitivity: 0.3 V to 5 V
- Input impedance: 22 kΩ
- Gain: 10 dB
- Frequency response: 10 Hz to 200 kHz, +0.5/-3.0 dB
- Total harmonic distortion + noise: 0.0004%
- Intermodulation distortion: 0.0004%
- Dimensions: 16.9 x 3.5 x 14.1 inches / 42.9 x 8.7 x 35.7 cm
- Shipping weight: 20 lbs / 9 kg
- Finish: Black chassis with bead-blasted aluminum cheeks in black or silver
- Remote: CRM-4 aluminum remote control
- Display: Large color display with volume, album art, and playback information
MOON 461 Power Amplifier: Serious Power for the Compass Collection
The MOON 461 Power Amplifier is the dedicated power amplifier in Simaudio’s Compass Collection. It is designed to take the signal from a preamplifier and drive loudspeakers with high output, low distortion, and stable performance across different speaker loads. It is the most powerful model in the Compass Collection, rated at 150 watts per channel into 8 ohms, 300 watts per channel into 4 ohms, and 450 watts in mono into 8 ohms.
At the center of the 461 is MOON’s proprietary MDCA, or MOON Distortion-Cancelling Amplifier architecture, which was first developed for the flagship North Collection. The design is intended to reduce distortion and improve linearity, helping the amplifier preserve clarity, accuracy, and control as output demands increase.
The 461 also uses two MOON Hybrid Power supply modules, with one dedicated to each channel. That dual-mono layout is designed to improve channel separation, reduce crosstalk, and deliver stronger current into lower-impedance loudspeakers. A Stereo / Bridged Mono / Bi-Amping Mono mode switch adds useful system flexibility for listeners who may want to run a single amplifier now and expand later.
Visually, the 461 follows the Compass Collection design with a black chassis, bead-blasted aluminum cheeks in black or silver, and a clean front panel. It is not flashy, which is probably the point. This is a power amplifier, not a Cirque du Soleil audition. Think more Montreal Metro in February: not glamorous, but it moves a lot of current and usually gets you where you need to go.
MOON 461 Power Amplifier Specifications:
- Product type: Analog stereo power amplifier
- Collection: MOON Compass Collection
- Amplifier architecture: MOON Distortion-Cancelling Amplifier architecture, or MDCA
- Power supply: Two proprietary MOON Hybrid Power supply modules
- Power supply layout: Dual-mono implementation, with one MHP module dedicated to each channel
- Operating modes: Stereo, Bridged Mono, Bi-Amping Mono
- Output power, stereo 8 ohms: 150 W
- Output power, stereo 4 ohms: 300 W
- Output power, mono 8 ohms: 450 W
- Input sensitivity: 1 V
- Input impedance: 22 kΩ
- Gain: 31 dB
- Frequency response: 5 Hz to 100 kHz, +0/-3 dB
- Total harmonic distortion + noise at 1 W: 0.005%
- Total harmonic distortion + noise at 150 W: 0.003%
- Damping factor: 425
- Power consumption, idle: 35 W
- Power consumption, full power standby: 34 W
- Power consumption, low power standby: 1 W
- Dimensions: 16.9 x 3.5 x 14.5 inches / 42.9 x 8.7 x 36.8 cm
- Shipping weight: 24 lbs / 11 kg
- Finish: Black chassis with bead-blasted aluminum cheeks in black or silver
The Bottom Line
The MOON 491 Network Player/Preamplifier and MOON 461 Power Amplifier make the most sense as a clean, high-performance two-box system for listeners who want modern streaming, vinyl playback, DAC functionality, headphone listening, and serious loudspeaker control without building a rack that looks like Bell Centre after triple overtime.
The 461 is the matching muscle. With 150 watts per channel into 8 ohms, 300 watts into 4 ohms, and 450 watts in mono, it gives the Compass Collection real amplifier authority. MOON’s MDCA amplifier architecture, borrowed from the flagship North Collection, and dual MOON Hybrid Power modules add some meaningful trickle-down engineering. The stereo, bridged mono, and bi-amping modes also make it more flexible as a long-term system anchor.
What is missing? The 491 is not a full integrated amplifier, so passive loudspeakers still require a power amplifier like the 461. Otherwise, the feature set is quite complete: HDMI ARC, four digital inputs, two Ethernet jacks, MiND 2 streaming, Roon Ready support, Qobuz Connect, TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect, MM/MC phono, DAC, headphone output, and preamplifier functionality.
The only obvious omission from the supplied information is any confirmation of higher-resolution Bluetooth codec support such as LDAC, aptX HD, or aptX Lossless.
Pricing & Availability
This pairing is not entry-level, but it is very MOON: designed and handcrafted in Canada, backed by a 10-year warranty, and built for listeners who want long-term performance rather than feature churn.
- MOON 491 – $6,500 USD / C$8,800 CAD / €6,800 EUR
- MOON 461 – $5,000 USD / C$6,800 CAD / €5,200 EUR
For more information: simaudio.com
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