moon 810 LP Evolution Series User manual

Owner’s Manual
MOON Evolution Series
810 LP
Reference Dual-Mono Phono Preamplifier

MOON 810LP Dual-Mono Phono Preamplifier
Important Safety Instructions
1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.
6. Clean only with a dry cloth.
7. Do not block ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves or another apparatus that produces
heat.
9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one
wider than the other. A grounding-type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third
prong is provided for safety. If the provided plug does not fit into the outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of
the obsolete outlet.
10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched, particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the
point where they exit from the apparatus. Unplug mains cord during transportation.
11. Only use attachments and accessories specified by the manufacturer.
12. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer or sold with the
apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury
from tip over.
13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
14. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any
way, such as when the power cord or plug has been damaged; liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the
apparatus; or the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
15. No naked flame sources, such as candles, should be placed on the apparatus.
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
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MOON 810LP Dual-Mono Phono Preamplifier
Important Safety Instructions (cont’d)
The lightning flash with the arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is
intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within
the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of
electric shock to persons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the
presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the
literature accompanying the appliance.
Marking by the “CE” symbol (shown left) indicates compliance of this device with the
EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) and LVD (Low Voltage Directive) standards of the
European Community
Please read all instructions and precautions carefully and completely before
operating your Simaudio MOON 810LP Phono Preamplifier.
1. ALWAYS disconnect your entire system from the AC mains before connecting or disconnecting any cables,
or when cleaning any component.
2. The MOON 810LP must be terminated with a three-conductor AC mains power cord which includes an earth
ground connection. To prevent shock hazard, all three connections must ALWAYS be used. Connect the
MOON 810LP only to an AC source of the proper voltage; Both the shipping box and rear panel serial
number label will indicate the correct voltage. Use of any other voltage will likely damage the unit and void
the warranty.
3. AC extension cords are NOT recommended for use with this product.
4. NEVER use flammable or combustible chemicals for cleaning audio components.
5. NEVER operate the MOON 810LP with any covers removed. There are no user-serviceable parts inside. An
open unit, especially if it is still connected to an AC source, presents a potentially lethal shock hazard. Refer
all questions to authorized service personnel only.
6. NEVER wet the inside of the MOON 810LP with any liquid. If a liquid substance does enter your MOON
810LP, immediately disconnect it from the AC mains and take it to your MOON dealer for a complete check-
up.
7. NEVER spill or pour liquids directly onto the MOON 810LP.
8. NEVER block air flow through ventilation slots or heatsinks.
9. NEVER bypass any fuse.
10. NEVER replace any fuse with a value or type other than those specified.
11. NEVER attempt to repair the MOON 810LP. If a problem occurs contact your MOON dealer.
12. NEVER expose the MOON 810LP to extremely high or low temperatures.
13. NEVER operate the MOON 810LP in an explosive atmosphere.
14. ALWAYS keep electrical equipment out of reach of children.
15. ALWAYS unplug sensitive electronic equipment during lightning storms.
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MOON 810LP Dual-Mono Phono Preamplifier
Table of Contents
Congratulations ............................................... 5
Unpacking and Warnings ................................... 5
Introduction .................................................... 6
Installation & Placement ................................... 6
Bottom Panel Layout ........................................ 7
Cartridge Loading Adjustments .......................... 8
Rear Panel Connections ....................................11
Balanced Operation ....................................... 12
Operating the 810LP ........................................13
Specifications .................................................14
www.simaudio.com
Simaudio Ltd., 1345 Newton Road
Boucherville, Quebec J4B 5H2 CANADA
Date Code: 20120604
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MOON 810LP Dual-Mono Phono Preamplifier
Congratulations!
Thank you for selecting the MOON 810LP Dual-Mono Phono Preamplifier as a part of your music/cinema system. This
component has been designed to offer state-of-the-art high-end performance in an elegant package, while retaining all the
sonic hallmarks on which Simaudio has made its reputation. We have spared no effort to ensure that it is amongst
the finest
phono preamplifiers available. We have been building high-performance audio equipment for over 25 years, and the
know-how gained through our cumulative experience is an important reason why MOON audio components are so musically
satisfying.
The performance of your 810LP will continue to improve during the first 500 hours of listening. This is the result of a “break-
in” period required for the numerous high quality electronic parts used throughout this phono preamplifier.
Before setting up your new MOON 810LP, we encourage you to please read this manual thoroughly to properly acquaint
yourself with its features. We hope you enjoy listening to the MOON 810LP Phono Preamplifier as much as the pride we
have taken in creating this fine audio product. We understand the power and emotion of music and build our products with
the goal of faithfully capturing these elusive qualities.
The information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice. The most current version
of this manual is available on our official website at http://www.simaudio.com/manuals.htm
Unpacking
The MOON 810LP Phono Preamplifier should be removed from its box with care.
The following accessories should be included inside the box with your phono preamplifier:
9 AC power cable
9 One (1) pen shaped plastic hand tool for making DIP-switch adjustments
9 This owner’s manual
9 Warranty and product registration information (USA and Canada only)
As soon as the phono preamplifier is safely removed from its box and placed down, perform a thorough physical inspection
and report any physical damage to your dealer immediately. We suggest that you keep all of the original packaging, storing it
in a safe, dry place in the event that you’re required to transport this product. The customized packaging is specially designed
to protect the MOON 810LP Phono Preamplifier from potential damage that may occur during shipping.
Please write the serial number of your new Simaudio MOON 810LP in the space provided below for future reference.
Serial No.: ________________
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Congratulations / Unpacking 5

MOON 810LP Dual-Mono Phono Preamplifier
Introduction
Your MOON 810LP Phono Preamplifier incorporates many significant design features to achieve its “world class” level of
performance. This is an abbreviated list of the more important features:
The oversized power supply, located within the main chassis, is housed in an isolated enclosure that is
constructed from satin coated 14-gauge steel to eliminate all traces of AC artifacts. Power supply
featuring a "pi-type" filter using 40,000uF of capacitance and dual choke inductance (2x 200mH)
4 stages of our newly developed M-LoVo MOON low voltage DC regulation circuit; a highly
sophisticated circuit made up of a clever combination of IC’s and discrete parts that is virtually free of noise,
yielding an exceptionally fast, precise, and stable DC voltage. The result is a power supply with a noise floor
of -150dB related to 1.0V, DC - 100kHz.
Power supply voltage regulation includes i2DCf (Independent Inductive DC Filtering); 1 inductor for each and every chip
(i.e. OpAmp, etc.) in the audio circuit’s signal path – 24 stages in all.
The dedicated audio circuit board is mounted on a 5-point gel-based floating suspension, derived from
our M-Octave technology, originally developed for the reference MOON 850P Preamplifier.
Adjustable impedance loading - 64 available settings from 12.1Ωto 47kΩ
Adjustable capacitance loading - 16 available settings from 0pF to 1120pF
Adjustable gain settings - 16 available settings from 40dB to 70dB
Selectable equalization curves for both the RIAA and the IEC standards
Customized parts include metallized polypropylene film capacitors with very tight tolerances of 1%
Four-layer PCB tracings with dedicated ground and power planes using pure copper for low impedance
characteristics. The advantages include better circuit layouts resulting in a much shorter signal path and a
vastly improved signal-to-noise ratio
Accurate matching of the very finest quality electronic components in a symmetrical circuit design
The shortest possible signal path for a faster transient response and the lowest possible noise floor.
Installation & Placement
The 810LP is more sensitive than most other types of audio components to EMI (electro-magnetic interference) from power
supplies and motors. Consequently, it should be placed at a minimum distance of 18 inches from power supplies, turntables,
tape decks, AC line filters, etc. As well,
You should never place another component directly on top of this phono preamplifier.
In the event that the surface you have chosen isn’t perfectly level, each of the four (4) legs of your 810LP are height
adjustable; carefully using your fingers, you can either raise each leg by turning the cone underneath clockwise, or lower each
leg by turning it counterclockwise.
We strongly recommend that you leave these cones mounted to the component at all times for reasons related to both
performance and aesthetics.
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Introduction / Installation & Placement 6

MOON 810LP Dual-Mono Phono Preamplifier
Bottom Panel Layout
Figure 1: MOON 810LP Bottom Panel layout
Settings for cartridge resisitance loading, cartridge capaciitance loading, gain and equalization curve are all done using white
colored DIP switches located on the 810LP’s bottom panel as shown above in figure 1. There are two (2) banks of DIP
switches – The upper bank provides for the capacitance and resistance loading adjustments; the lower bank for gain level and
equalization curve settings. Examples of the DIP switch positions for all available settings are clearly shown on the bottom
panel – below and to the right of the actual DIP switches. Since the MOON 810LP is a genuine dual-mono design, there are
2 sets of DIP switches for each adjustment – one each for the left and right channels.
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Bottom Panel Layout 7

MOON 810LP Dual-Mono Phono Preamplifier
Cartridge Loading Adjustments
Prior to making any of these adjustments, always disconnect the AC power cord and all interconnects from MOON 810LP.
We strongly recommend using the
pen shaped plastic hand tool that we have included with your 810LP as it was specifically
designed for this purpose. Using another tool made from a material other than plastic may damage the DIP switches and/or
scratch the painted surface on the bottom of the 810LP’. Finally, to achieve the best possible sonic performance, it is
absolutely necessary that all settings be identical for both the left and the right channels.
In the following examples,
the color white always indicates the position - left (‘ON’) or
right (‘OFF’) of the DIP switch.
In the example to the left, the DIP switch is in the left
position (‘ON’).
This is to be consistent with the actual white color of these switches.
Capacitance Loading:
There are sixteen (16) unique capacitance loading settings available using DIP switches 7 through 10, located at the top of
the upper DIP switch bank. The range of available settings begins at 0pF and ends at 1120pF:
Figure 2: Left and right channel DIP switches for capacitance loading adjustments
The factory default is 100 pF, whereby DIP switches 10, 9, and 8 are all in the right (‘OFF’)
position and DIP switch 7 is in the left position (‘ON’) as seen in the example to the right.
This setting would be applicable for most moving magnet cartridges.
In the event that you are using a moving coil cartridge, you will most likely want to set the
capacitance loading to 0pF. This is done by positioning all 4 DIP switches (7, 8, 9, & 10) to
the right position (‘OFF’) as seen in the example to the right.
A comprehensive diagram of the DIP switch combinations for all 16 available capacitance loading settings can be seen on the
bottom panel, immediately to the right of the switches. Finally, the values written beside the DIP switch number represent the
capacitance load if only that switch is in the left position (‘ON’). For example, when only switch 10 is in the left position (‘ON’),
the load value will be 470pF; when only switch 9 is in the left position (‘ON’), the load value will be 330pF; and finally when
only switch 8 is in the left position (‘ON’), the load value will be 220pF.
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Cartridge Loading Adjustments 8

MOON 810LP Dual-Mono Phono Preamplifier
Internal Settings (cont’d)
Resistance Loading:
There are sixty-four (64) unique resistance loading settings available using DIP switches 1 through 6, located at the bottom of
the upper DIP switch bank. The range of available settings starts at 12.1Ωand ends at 47kΩ:
Figure 3: Left and right channel DIP switches for resistance loading adjustments
The factory default is 47KΩ, whereby DIP switches 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 are all in the right
(‘OFF’) position as seen in the example to the right. This setting would be applicable for most
moving magnet cartridges
In the event that you are using a moving coil cartridge, you will most likely want to set the
resistance loading to a much lower impedance value. For instance, in the event that your
cartridge manufacturer recommends a value of 100Ω, you would position DIP switch 3 to the
left (‘ON’) and the other remaining switches (1, 2, 4, 5 & 6) to the right position (‘OFF’) as
seen in the example to the right.
We strongly recommended that you never use the
47kΩresistive load setting for moving coil cartridges.
A comprehensive diagram of the DIP switch combinations for all 64 available resistance loading settings can be seen on the
bottom panel, immediately to the right of the switches and just below the previously mentioned capacitance settings diagram.
Finally, the values written beside the DIP switch number represent the resistance load if only that switch is in the left position
(‘ON’). For example, when only switch 1 is in the left position (‘ON’), the load value will be 22Ω; when only switch 4 is in the
left position (‘ON’), the load value will be 221Ω; and finally when only switch 6 is in the left position (‘ON’), the load value will
be 1000Ω.
Note: Choosing a loading impedance for a moving coil cartridge is not an exact science as there are many variables that can
affect the manufacturer’s recommended setting. Choosing the best impedance is ultimately a compromise between what
sounds best to your own ears and what works best for the cartridge, based on its internal workings. When experimenting with
different impedance settings, always keep in mind that a poorly loaded moving coil cartridge will result in sonic performance
yielding a lack of definition, reduced bass performance, as well as aggressive upper-mid and high frequencies.
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Cartridge Loading Adjustments 9

MOON 810LP Dual-Mono Phono Preamplifier
Internal Settings (cont’d)
Gain Setting:
There are sixteen (16) unique gain level settings available using DIP switches 2 through 5, located at the top of the lower DIP
switch bank. The range of available settings runs from 40dB all the way up to 70.0dB:
Figure 4: Left and right channel DIP switches for gain level settings
The factory default gain level setting is 40dB whereby DIP switches 5, 4, 3 & 2 are set to the
right position (’OFF’). This setting would be applicable for most moving magnet cartridges.
In the event that you are using a moving coil cartridge, you will need to increase the gain level setting. This is a general rule
for determining the gain of a MC cartridge: For a low output MC cartridge (0.7mV and lower), set the gain level to at least
66dB; for a medium output MC (0.7mV to 1.5mV) set the gain level to 60dB; for a high output MC (> 1.5mV) set the gain
level to 54dB. Since every audio system is different, these are just approximated values.
The example to the right show a gain level setting of 60.0dB where DIP switches 5 and 3 are
in the left (‘ON’) position and DIP switches 2 and 4 are in the right (‘OFF’) position.
Equalization Curve:
The MOON 810LP Phono Preamplifier is equipped with circuitry for two (2) different equalization curves; The RIAA
standard and the less common IEC modified curve. The main difference is that the RIAA curve produces a flat frequency
response from 20Hz to 20kHz; The IEC curve acts as a subsonic filter removing inaudible infrasonic bass
only below 20Hz.
Using DIP switch 1 on lower bank. The factory default is the RIAA curve whereby DIP switch 1 is in the right (‘OFF’) position.
To change to the IEC curve, simply move this DIP switch to the left (‘ON’) position.
Figure 5: Left and right channel DIP switches for equalization curves
To determine which curve is best for you, perform this simple test: Use the 810LP with the RIAA curve and watch the
movement of your loudspeaker’s bass drivers. If their motion doesn’t follow the pattern of the record you’re playing or you
see excessive driver movement, chances are you should use the IEC curve to eliminate the subsonic information not present
on the record.
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Cartridge Loading Adjustments 10