Anyone have any direct experience with Sim audio gear? They are based in Montreal, Canada, and make "higher-end" components. They've got some pretty impressive looking gear, specs, and links to professional product reviews on their web-site (http://www.simaudio.com). I'm particularly interested in their Moon series i-3 or i-5 integrated amp, cd player, and tuner.

Cheers.

Joe90,

I've heards some of their gear and all I can say is -- they're too damn expensive. I have never heard a 2000$ CD player beat a $400 Cambridge CD player (I'm not saying Cambridge is better, I just used it as a reference when I compared a couple of expensive ones at last years sound festival here in montreal).

Same goes for their amps and tuners.. I find it very, very hard to pay 1500$ for 40 wpc. They're not Bryston or anything.

You are right about the price-point for this gear Ravi... very high! The fact that their gear comes with a full 10 year warranty "maybe" speaks to the quality and longevity of the components used in their equipment. I don't believe many companies offer that kind of warranty. I was more interested in their integrated amps (i-3 in particular), versus CD player and tuner. I have a Cambridge D500SE CD player and T-500SE tuner, and agree 100% with you that they are great components, even stacked up against big-dollar high end stuff! I believe the Sim Moon series i-3 integrated amp, (which is a Class A/AB, 100 watts per channel @8ohms) retails for $2500.00 Cdn. (ouch!). Do you recall listening to this particular amp at the sound festival you attended?

Cheers.

Joe90,

i own a simaudio celeste preamp and i must say it is very, very good stuff. solid and well built. very transparent. very detailed. it is expensive but it's not any pricier than say a brand like Classe. the celeste line was superceded by the Moon line. i would highly recommend them if the rest of your gear (esp source components) is up to the task as their stuff is very revealing.

btw, the build quality of the remote is insane! it's so heavy you can really use it as a weapon. constructed from SOLID aluminum. the only remote controls i've ever seen that were built more solidly are the mark levinson, jeff rowland, classe, and rogue remotes...but none of those are full featured remotes.

i had an opportunity to audition a bryston 2B 60W amp in my system and i would say that the price you're paying for this amp is for the 20 yr warranty. it was entirely underwhelming for an amp of it's price IMHO. it was harsh and lacked punch. bass control was lacking IMO. if it were my money, i would not consider this amp. i haven't auditioned any of the other bryston amps in my setup so i can comment on the rest of their line. i would expect the others to be better as they have deeper power reserves. but the 2B is no bang/buck amp.

Joe,

I can't recall which amp it was. They had it plugged into some very tall floorstanders and played it rather loud, trying to show us how a small amp can power a tall speaker. I do recall it being over MSRP $3,000 CND at the time, so it might have been the same one, or one just a step up. Yes, it was a good amp, but $3,000 is a LOT of money!

Appreciate the comments M_D. I've read similar remarks re the Sim remotes (and their other gear)...built to last to say the least! I would like to audition the i-3 at my local dealer, and then ideally, bring it home for a listen with my gear in my listening space.

Cheers.

Yep, lots of "dollaros" Ravi. But as Mad Dog referenced in his post, not unusual or out of place for "high-end" gear. Would really have to give their stuff a careful and critical in-home listen before spending that kind of money!

Cheers.

not everything that costs an arm and a leg is really good stuff...you need to hear it for yourself to decide. i would consider Sim gear as high end...

try to audition the sim gear you're interested in at your house, in your system...only then will know...good luck! :-)

Sim Audio puts out very respectable gear. I think their design is rather attractive as well, and unquestionably unique. The CD player in particular.

If you haven't already seen them, here are some links to some Sterophile reviews:

i-5 Integrated

Eclipse CD player

-Cooper

The Bryston 2B LP 60w x 2 is $1450 cdn so about $1100 USD. That definitely isnt a Bryston. If it was it must have been a 3B SST
approx.
2B LP $1100 USD 2 x 60w @ 8ohms
3B SST $1800 USD 2 x 150w
4B SST $2500 USD 2 x 300w

Thanks for the review links Cooper. I also find the Moon series gear to be visually appealing. From all I've read to date, all their components have great design and build quality, and produce excellent sound. I'm going to have to make some time to do some serious auditioning.

Cheers.