The Swedish “Moonriver Audio”company penned its name from the famous song by Andy Williams. It is now being distributed in North America by “On A Higher Note”, adding to their high quality, audiophile portfolio.
Based in Malmo, the products are designed and hand-assembled with precision by designer and founder George Polychronidis. With a rich background in industrial and user interface design and technical hi-fi engineering, Polychronidis set out to design a classic product with a modern touch. Using a simple and ergonomic user interface, and sustainable and reliable high-quality materials, Moonriver Audio’s debut offering is their modular 404 integrated stereo amplifier that is flexible and affordable for this and the next generation music lovers’ needs.
The Swedish Moonriver Audio’s design concept envelopes both an affinity towards contemporary forms and nostalgia for the timeless classics, balancing artistry with rich functionality, Moonriver Audio is dedicated to offering the best sound and reliability in music playback with organic texture acquired within an open space and unrestrained dynamic behavior while preserving natural tonal colors.
“Moonriver Audio amplifiers are designed for audiophiles that love vinyl, tape, and digital, offering hybrid designs that fuse well known and fresh tech elements that fit the application so consumers who know how to manipulate the flexibility and sensitivity can taper the sound to their taste. Polychronidis explained. “I designed this line to give a sense of real-life performance with a dynamic range of instruments and vocals even for the most ordinary and inefficient loudspeakers. We are delighted at the prospect of working with On A Higher Note which has a stellar track record in bringing great products to North American music-loving households to touch the hearts and minds of a new audience with our unique experience.”
The 404 integrated amp has been paired up with many different speakers, including Graham Audio’s BBC designed monitors, the LS5/9’s (to be reviewed soon by The Sound Advocate) with terrific results: rich and musical in the mid-range with clear, articulate and well-defined bass. This is not transistors pretending to mimic tubes as it exhibits great drive, and a well-defined rhythm and pace. As big as it is on deconstructing the percussive complexity and articulating the horn section of Al Green’s early ‘70’s recordings, it is just as committed to exposing the compression of R.E.M.’s “Collapse Into Now” while keeping it on the right side of listenable. “
It energizes much like a breath of clean, fresh air or a brisk walk on a cool evening, and a hint of the sun that ushers the first signs of Spring’s promise. It puts the joy back into music,” remarked Philip O’Hanlon from On A Higher Note.
Currently offered in six flavors, its leading Model 404 modular integrated power amplifier with class AB power modules (US$3,499 to US$4,717) checks so many boxes, touting an experience to satisfy both the current and the next generation needs in music-loving households.”
With a second product, a new phono stage Model 505 slated to debut later this year and some other products in the pipeline, Moonriver Audio will add to their current six modular offerings:
• 404 integrated power amplifier (US$3,499)
• 404 with MM RIAA (US$3,898)
• 404 with MM/MC RIAA (US$4,048)
• 404 with USB DAC (US$4,168)
• 404 with MM RIAA and USB DAC (US$4,567) • 404 with MM/MC RIAA with USB DAC (US$4,717)
On A Higher Note https://onahighernote.com/
w: 949-544-1990
f: 949-612-0201
WHERE the MUSIC BEAT meets the AUDIOPHILE ELITE !
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