MOON 491 · Network Player / Preamplifier

The 491 is where the signal begins. It takes every source — streaming, digital, analog, vinyl — and passes it to whatever amplification follows with as little interference as possible. That sounds simple. Doing it well requires serious engineering.

Digital-to-analog conversion is handled by two ESS 9039Q2M converters running in a dual-mono configuration — one dedicated to each channel — paired with a precision clocking architecture and a discretely tuned output stage. The result is a DAC section that measures 0.0004% THD+N and 120dB signal-to-noise, with a frequency response that extends to 200kHz. The MHP power supply — Moon's proprietary hybrid architecture — operates at switching frequencies above the audio band to keep noise out of the circuits where it matters most.

MiND 2 streaming covers every major platform: Roon, Apple AirPlay, Bluetooth, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, Qobuz Connect, and UPnP. The MOON MiND Controller app on iOS and Android provides full system control. The built-in phono stage supports MM and MC cartridges with menu-configurable impedance, capacitance, gain, and equalization curves — genuinely adaptable for different cartridge pairings rather than a fixed compromise.

A large colour display shows album artwork and system information. The CRM-4 aluminum remote handles volume and source selection. A modular board design allows for future upgradeability. The 491 is built to be the heart of a system for the long term — and Moon's 10-year warranty backs that commitment.