Simaudio MOON 888 User manual

888 Mono
Power Amplifier
Owner’s Manual
MOON

simaudio.com
Simaudio Ltd., 1345 Newton Road
Boucherville, Québec J4B 5H2 CANADA
Date Code: 05052017

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 APPLIANCETO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
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.
Important Safety Instructions

Important Safety Instructions (continued)
PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS AND PRECAUTIONS CAREFULLY AND
COMPLETELY BEFORE OPERATING YOUR MOON 888 POWER AMPLIFIER
1. ALWAYS disconnect your entire system from the AC mains
before connecting or disconnecting any cables, or when
cleaning any component. To completely disconnect this
apparatus from the AC mains, disconnect the power supply
cord plug from the AC receptacle.
2. The MOON 888 must be terminated with a three-conductor
AC mains power cord which includes an earth ground con-
nection. To prevent shock hazard, all three connections must
ALWAYS be used. Connect the MOON 888 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. The mains plug of the power supply cord shall
remain readily accessible.
4. NEVER use flammable or combustible chemicals for cleaning
audio components.
5. NEVER operate the MOON 888 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 888 with any liquid. If a
liquid substance does enter your MOON 888, 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 888.
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 888. If a problem occurs
contact your MOON dealer.
12. NEVER expose the MOON 888 to extremely high or low
temperatures.
13. NEVER operate the MOON 888 in an explosive atmosphere.
14. ALWAYS keep electrical equipment out of reach of children.
15. ALWAYS unplug sensitive electronic equipment during
lightning storms.
16. WARNING: Do not expose batteries or battery pack to exces-
sive heat such as sunshine, or fire or the like.
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

Table of Contents
Introduction 7
Unpacking 8
Installation & Placement 8
Rear Panel Connections 9
Connecting the 888 10
Balanced Operation 10
Operating the 888 10
Troubleshooting 11
Remote Operation with the 12V Trigger 12
Specications / Fuse Replacement 13

7
Introduction
Thank you for selecting the MOON 888 Mono power amplifier as a part of your hi-fi system. We have spared no effort
to ensure that it is the absolute finest amplifier. We have been building high-performance audio equipment for over 35
years, and the know how gained through our cumulative experience is an important reason why MOON amplifiers
are so musically satisfying.
The performance of your 888 will continue to improve during the first 300 hours of listening. This is the result
of a“break-in”period required for the numerous high quality electronic parts used throughout this amplifier.
Before setting up your new MOON 888, we encourage you to please read this manual thoroughly to properly acquaint
yourself with its features. We hope you enjoy listening to the MOON 888 as much as the pride we have taken in creating
this extraordinary 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 : simaudio.com

8
Unpacking
The MOON 888 should be removed from its box with care.
The following accessories should be included inside the box with your power amplifier:
Word from our president
This owner’s manual
AC power cable
Pair of gloves
Fuses
SimLinkTM / 12V trigger cable
Warranty and product registration information (USA and Canada only)
Please write the serial number of your new MOON 888 in the space provided below for future reference.
Serial Number
Once the 888 is unpacked, inspect it thoroughly and report any damage to your dealer immediately. We suggest that
you keep all of the original packaging, storing it in a safe, dry place in case you’re required to transport this product.
The customized packaging is specially designed to protect the 888 from any potential damage during transit.
Installation & Placement
The MOON 888 Mono power amplifier requires reasonable ventilation to maintain an optimum and consistent operating
temperature, especially since it will radiate significant heat when driven hard. Consequently, it should be placed in a location
with empty space around it for proper heat dissipation.You should never place another component on top of this amplifier.
As well, the amplifier should be placed on a solid level surface. No need for adjustments as the feet of the MOON 888 are
self-levelling. You should avoid placing it near a heat source or inside a closed cabinet that is not well ventilated as this could
compromise the amplifier’s performance and reliability.

9
Rear Panel Connections
Figure 1: Rear panel of the MOON 888

10
Connecting the 888
Prior to making any connections, the power amplifier must
be turned off and the AC cable disconnected.
1. Connect the input cables running from your
preamplifier’s outputs, whether balanced or single-
ended, to the amplifier’ s XLR or RCA input, respectively.
We highly recommend that you use the balanced XLR
input (provided that your preamplifier has balanced
outputs) to take full advantage of 888 Power Amplifier’s
capabilities. Please refer to the next section, “Balanced
Operation”on for further information.
2. Select the proper type of input with the switch labeled
BAL / UNBAL, based upon RCA (UNBAL) or XLR (BAL)
connection.
3. Select the preferred coupling mode with the
switch labeled coupling. We recommend for most
situations to set it to DC coupling as this will give the best
performance. Only when the connected preamp
has too much DC at its output (more frequent with
tube equipment) then it can be useful to select the
AC coupling mode to get rid of the incoming DC.
See Troubleshooting section for more details.
4. Connect your speaker with the cable of your choice to
the MOON 888’s speaker binding posts. Take care to
respect the polarity (“+” , “-” ) of the outputs. There are
two pairs for convenience in bi-wiring configuration for
example; both work the same.
5. Connect the supplied AC power cable to the IEC
receptacle, located on the amplifier’s rear panel. Ensure
that the AC wall outlet you use has a functioning ground.
For the best sonic performance, it is preferable that you
plug your MOON 888 directly into a dedicated AC outlet
and avoid using an extension cord.
Balanced Operation
When using an unbalanced interconnect, the audio
signal runs through both the center wire and the shield/
ground wire. Any noise picked up by this interconnect
(ie. nearby magnetic fields such as an AC power cord) will
be reproduced by the amplifier and heard through the
loudspeakers. Conversely, a balanced interconnect
has three separate conductors; one for the ground and
two for the actual signal. These two signals are identical
except that one is 180 degrees out of phase with the other.
For example, when one conductor is carrying a signal of +5
Volts, the other will be carrying a signal of –5 Volts. When
these two inverted signals on a balanced line are input into
a differential power amplifier such as the MOON 888, any
noise picked up by the interconnect will be eliminated since
a differential circuit amplifies only the difference between
these two signals: Noise on a balanced interconnect will be
equal on both conductors and therefore cancel out.
Operating the 888
We recommend leaving your 888 powered up at all times
to maintain optimal performance. When you plan on
being away for a few days, it may not be a bad idea to
power off your amplifier. Please keep in mind that once fully
“broken-in”, your 888 requires several hours of operation
before reaching optimal performance after powering it up
again.
Turning on your MOON 888 for the first time
Prior to turning the amplifier on for the first time, make
sure that every cable is properly connected to avoid any
problems. Then turn on your preamplifier connected to
the 888. Flick the main rocker switch, located on the rear
panel, labeled“POWER”to the‘1’ (on) position. The blue LED
on the front panel will blink for up to 10 seconds while it
achieves standby mode. When it stops blinking and is not
illuminated, your 888 is in standby mode. Next, briefly press
the push button labeled “Standby” located on the front
panel. You will hear a faint click sound confirming that
everything is in order. The blue LED on the front panel will
illuminate, indicating that the 888 is now powered up and
ready for use.
Do not connect cables to both the XLR and RCA inputs
at the same time. Damage to the connected equipment
can result that is not covered by warranty.

11
On and Off Sequence
To avoid having any annoying noises (ie. “thumps” and
“pops”) emanate from your speakers when powering your
888 on or off, you should always power up your preamplifier
prior to powering up your 888. As well, always power down
your 888 prior to powering down your preamplifier.
Standby Modes
The 888 have two standby modes, the default and the low
power. Both modes prevent the output of signal at the loud-
speaker terminals and turn the front panel blue LED off.
The default standby mode keeps all amplifier stages fully
powered so that the amplifier keeps its optimal working
temperature. The low power standby mode, keeps only
logic control powered, and turn off all amplifier stages. This
saves electricity wasted in heat.
Activate the Low Power Standby mode or not according
to your preference using the switch labeled ‘Low Power
Standby’.
An automatic standby feature is available to turn off
automatically the 888 after 20 minutes of silence. Use the
switch labeled ‘Auto Standby’ to activate this function.
Note :The 12V trigger operation override this function.
Troubleshooting
The blue LED located on the front panel also indicates the
operational status of the MOON 888. In the unlikely event
the LED starts blinking on and off during normal use, it
means it has detected a problem. It is a “smart” power
amplifier equipped with a self-diagnostic system that will
automatically shut itself down if it detects abnormal DC or
overheat. If such situation arise, look at the back of the unit
as one red LED under the label ‘Protection’ will indicate for
which reason, either Thermal (overheating), DC Level, or
other (unknown) the unit has entered Protection mode.
Thermal Protection
If the 888 enters thermal protection, we invite you to turn off
the back panel rocker switch labeled Power and wait for the
amplifier to cool down.Then turn on the unit normally.
DC Level
If the 888 enters DC Level Protection, first power down the
888 via the main power rocker switch, remove physically
the input connection to leave only the speakers connected.
Attempt to power up your 888 again: A successful
power up will indicate the presence of DC coming from your
preamplifier or one of your signal sources (ie. CD Player).
You may then use the switch labeled ‘Coupling’ and enable
AC coupling mode to get rid of the problematic DC, then
connect and turn on the amplifier normally.
Other
If the 888 enters this protection mode, first power down the
888 via the main power rocker switch, and wait one minute.
Then try to turn on the unit normally.
If your 888 still doesn’t power up, turn off the main power
switch and check the AC fuse. If the fuse appears OK, put it
back in its socket and then try to power up again the usual
way. If the fuse is blown, replace it with a fuse of the same
rating, and repeat the above process. At this point, you
should be able to power up your 888. If not, immediately
consult your dealer for assistance.

12
Remote Operation with the 12V Trigger
If you wish you to connect your 888 amplifiers in such a way that they turn on or off following the state of your preamplier,
see figure below on how to connect the system using the MOON 850P as example. Both connection schemes works the
same, just use the configuration most convenient for you.
In figure 2 we have a 850P Preamplifier and a pair of 888 amplifiers connected together via their respective 12V triggers;
The 12V trigger output on the 850P is connected to the 12V trigger input on the top 888 (using a 1/8”mini-jack cable).The
12V trigger output from this 888 connects to the 12V trigger input on the bottom 888 (also using a 1/8”mini-jack cable).
When you turn on the 850P via remote control (or its Standby button), both 888’s will turn on automatically.The same rule
applies when you put the 850P into Standby mode
or
Each of the two 12V trigger outputs on the 850P are connected to the 12V trigger inputs on each 888 (using
a 1/8” mini-jack cable). When you turn on the 850P via remote control (or its Standby button), both 888’s
will turn on automatically. The same rule applies when you put the 850P into Standby mode.

Figure 2: Remote Operation
with the 12V Trigger
or



13
Specifications
Balanced Input Pin Assignment:
Pin 1 Ground
Pin 2 Positive Signal
Pin 3 Negative Signal
Fuse Replacement:
The 120V version use a 15A fast blow fuse (3AG size).
The 230V version use a 10A fast blow fuse (3AG size).
Configuration Fully balanced Differential, mono
Power Supply Transformers 2 x 1.5kVA
Power Supply Capacitance 350,000µF
Class Of Operation A/AB
Input Impedance 24kΩ
Input Sensitivity 2.4V
Output Device Type MOON Bipolars – 32
Output Power at 8Ω888 Watts per channel
Output Power at 4Ω1776 Watts per channel
Frequency Response 10Hz - 200kHz +0/-3dB
Gain 31dB
Signal-to-noise Ratio 120dB @ full power
Intermodulation Distortion 0.006%
THD (20Hz - 20kHz @ 888 watts) 0.04 %
Power Consumption @ idle 50 Watts
AC Power Requirements 120V / 60Hz or 240V / 50Hz
Shipping Weight 300 lbs / 136 kg
Dimensions (W x H x D, inches / cm.) 22.1 x 13.8 x 26.6 / 56.1 x 35.1 x 67.6