MOON 888 Power Amplifier

MOON 888 Power Amplifier

The MOON 888 is a reference-class mono power amplifier engineered for extreme current delivery, unshakable loudspeaker control, and a neutral, transparent presentation that stays composed at any listening level. In monoblock configuration it delivers 888 watts into 8 ohms and doubles to 1776 watts into 4 ohms, giving it the headroom to drive the most demanding speakers without strain. Its fully balanced differential architecture and MDCA topology are designed for musical accuracy and dynamic coherence, preserving timing, phase integrity, and micro-detail without adding coloration. Built around a massively over-specified output stage and power supply, then housed in an all-aluminum chassis with monolithic heat-sinking, the 888 is designed to run cool, quiet, and stable—acting as the silent foundation for truly high-resolution systems. The Moon 888 is part of ListenUp's Moon Power Amplifier Collection.

What It's Good At:

• Delivering effortless, high-current power for difficult speaker loads and large rooms
• Maintaining tight bass grip and control with a high damping factor for clean transients
• Preserving low-level detail and dynamic nuance at both background and concert volumes
• Providing ultra-low noise, fully balanced performance for reference-grade transparency
• Running stable and reliable under demanding playback thanks to robust thermal design and protection circuits
• Integrating cleanly into high-end systems with balanced/unbalanced inputs, 12V trigger, and RS-232 control

MOON 888 Full Specifications:

• Type / Configuration: Mono power amplifier; fully balanced differential, mono
• Topology: MDCA topology; eliminates global feedback (design intent)
• Class of Operation: A/AB
• Output Power @ 8Ω: 888 W (mono)
• Output Power @ 4Ω: 1776 W (mono)
• Output Devices: MOON Bipolars – 32
• Output Stage Total Rating: 8 kW total rating (output section)
• Power Supply Transformer: 2 × 1.5 kVA
• Power Supply Capacitance / Energy Storage: 350,000 µF
• Input Sensitivity: 2.4 V RMS
• Input Impedance: 24 kΩ
• Gain: 31 dB
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 120 dB @ full power
• Frequency Response (full range): 10 Hz – 200 kHz +0/−3 dB
• THD (20 Hz–20 kHz @ full power): 0.04%
• Intermodulation Distortion: 0.006%
• Power Consumption @ idle: 50 W
• AC Power Requirements: 120 V / 60 Hz or 240 V / 50 Hz (region dependent)
• Fuse Replacement: 120 V version uses 15 A fast blow (3AG); 230 V version uses 10 A fast blow (3AG)
• Balanced XLR Pin Assignment: Pin 1 = Ground; Pin 2 = Positive; Pin 3 = Negative
• Inputs: 1 × balanced XLR; 1 × unbalanced RCA (use one type at a time)
• Input Select: BAL/UNBAL selector switch
• Coupling Modes: AC/DC coupling switch
• Speaker Outputs: Heavy-duty speaker output connectors; dual sets for convenience (e.g., bi-wiring)
• Connectors / Control: 12V trigger input and output (1/8" mini-jack); RS-232 port
• Standby & Power Features: Auto Standby (after 20 minutes of silence); Low Power Standby mode; rear-panel main power rocker switch; front Standby control
• Protection / Diagnostics: Self-diagnostic shutdown; rear-panel protection indicators for Thermal, DC Level, and Other
• Chassis / Thermal Design: All-aluminum chassis with cast and machined components; audio circuitry integrated within monolithic heat sink to reduce vibration; passive cooling focus
• Heat Sinks: Massive single-piece cast aluminum heat sinks; CNC-machined fit/finish within 1/1,000"
• Speaker Terminals: Rhodium-plated heavy-duty speaker output connectors
• Shipping Weight: 300 lb / 136 kg
• Dimensions (W × H × D) – Manual: 22.1 × 13.8 × 26.6 in / 56.1 × 35.1 × 67.6 cm
• Dimensions (W × H × D) – Website Listing: 22 × 14 × 27 in / 55.9 × 35.6 × 68.6 cm
• In the Box (Manual): Word from our president; AC power cable; pair of gloves; fuses; SimLink/12V trigger cable; warranty & product registration information (USA and Canada only)
• In the Box (Website Listing): AC power cable; owner’s manual; warranty & product registration information (USA and Canada only)
• Build Notes: Hand-assembled and tested in Montreal, Canada (as described by the manufacturer)

MOON 888 Q&A:

What type of amplifier is the MOON 888?

The MOON 888 is a high-end mono (monoblock) power amplifier built with a fully balanced differential design for maximum signal integrity and control.

How much power does the MOON 888 deliver?

It outputs 888 watts into 8 ohms and 1776 watts into 4 ohms, providing massive headroom for demanding loudspeakers.

Can I connect both XLR and RCA inputs at the same time?

No. Use either the balanced XLR or the unbalanced RCA input, and set the BAL/UNBAL selector accordingly—connecting both simultaneously is not recommended.

What is the AC/DC coupling switch used for?

DC coupling is recommended for best performance in most systems, while AC coupling can help block unwanted DC from upstream components (more common with some tube gear).

Does the MOON 888 support system automation?

Yes. It includes 12V trigger input/output and RS-232 connectivity, making it easy to integrate into automated or multi-component reference systems.

Does it have an auto-standby mode?

Yes. Auto Standby can put the amplifier into standby after 20 minutes of silence, and there’s also a Low Power Standby mode to reduce energy use when you’re not listening.

What protection features are built in?

A self-diagnostic protection system can shut the amplifier down if it detects overheating or abnormal DC, with rear-panel indicators identifying Thermal, DC Level, or Other conditions.

How large and heavy is the MOON 888?

It ships at approximately 300 lb (136 kg) and measures about 22 inches wide, about 14 inches tall, and about 27 inches deep (see full specs for exact published dimensions).

MOON 888 Downloads:

Moon 888 Manual
Moon Power Amplifier Comparison Chart