Sounds Good

by mitch2 on
SYSTEM ROOM, MARCH, '24
DIGITAL FRONT END 1/2
DIGITAL FRONT END 2/2
SONORE SIGNATURE RENDU SE DELUXE OPTICAL AND SINGXER SU-6 DDCXER DDC, LPSs
KHOZMO VOLUME CONTROL AND SMc BUFFER
SMc AUDIO DNA-1 ULTRA G20 MONOBLOCKS
AERIAL ACOUSTICS LR5s
AERIAL ACOUSTICS SW12 (TWO)
SMc AUDIO DNA-1 ULTRA G20 MONOBLOCKS
MOJO AUDIO MYSTIQUE EVO PRO (w/Z-CHIPS)
MOJO AUDIO MYSTIQUE X SE NC Z
MERASON DAC1 MKII
SMc AUDIO DNA-1 ULTRA G20 MONOBLOCKS
SMc AUDIO DAC-2 GT-24
SMc AUDIO DAC-2 GT-24
SMc AUDIO DAC-2 GT-24
SMc AUDIO DAC-2 GT-24

Description

Simple to use, good tone, musical, dynamic and just plain enjoyable to listen to...
Read more...

Room Details

Dimensions: 21’ × 18’  Large
Ceiling: 9’

Components Toggle details

    • SMALL GREEN COMPUTER SGC sonicTransporter i9 (G4)
    This server is located in a separate room with my network equipment (modem, router, switch, optical converter, power supplies), stores music files on a SSD, and runs Roon core, which is my interface to play either the stored files or streamed content from Tidal and Qobuz. 
    Ripping CDs to the server is super easy from a dedicated disc reader connected directly to the server via USB.  Just put a disc in and press go.  The content is automatically filed and stored and becomes visible and available to modify, move, or delete through the user interface accessible from any computer on the network.  I have been very pleased with the functionality and reliability of the SGC sonicTransporter i9.
    • SERVER ROOM - SMALL GREEN COMPUTER, SONORE, SINGXER

    -Network room separate from main system room,

    -Dedicated 20A line for all network gear and server,

    -Jon Risch AC filter and shielded power cords for all network gear,

    -Cable modem at 300-400 Mbps,

    -Ethernet from modem to Orbi mesh router,

    -Ethernet from Orbi router to optical converter #1, then fiber cable to converter #2,

    -Ethernet from converter #2 to Silent Angel Bonn N8 switch,

    -Ethernet from Bonn switch to SGC sonicTransporter i9 (Gen 4) music server,

    -Ethernet from Bonn switch to Sonore opticalModule Deluxe fiber converter,

    -Linear power supplies on all networking equipment and peripherals

    -Brass weights and platinum silicone footers for vibration damping on all equipment 

    -45 feet of fiber from opticalModule to Sonore Signature Rendu SE Deluxe -Optical 

    -Finisar SFP modules on both opticalModule and Sig Rendu SE Deluxe

    -Muon USB cable from Sig Rendu SE Deluxe to Singxer SU-6 DDC,

    -Various cables from Singxer DDC to various DACs in my main system


    • STREAMER SONORE SIGNATURE RENDU SE DELUXE OPTICAL AND SINGXER SU-6 DDC
    Latest version Signature Rendu SE Deluxe Optical connected via Muon USB cable to Singxer SU-6 DDC that feeds various DACs using various S/PDIF RCA, AES/EBU, and Toslink cables.
    • DIGITAL TO ANALOG CONVERTERS (DACs) MOJO AUDIO MYSTIQUE EVO PRO, MYSTIQUE X SE NZC, MERASON DAC1 MKII, SMc AUDIO DAC-2 GT-24
    Each of these four DACs currently see time in my main system.
    • PREAMP - KHOZMO AND SMc AUDIO
    The preamp is really two units, a Khozmo dual mono volume control and an SMc Audio TLC-1 Signature Edition preamp that was converted to a unity-gain buffer to allow remote volume control and display functions to be handled by the Khozmo unit.

    The Khozmo includes Amtrans AMRG carbon resistors and a single input/output using Furutech XLR connectors, with no switching.

    The TLC-1 SE offers a very similar sound as SMc Audio's VRE-1 preamp, and uses many of the same parts and the same exact outboard power supply.  
    • AMPLIFIERS - SMc AUDIO DNA-1 ULTRA G20 MONOBLOCKS
    A pair of McCormack Audio DNA-1 amplifiers converted to monoblocks and upgraded by SMc Audio (i.e., Steve McCormack) to the highest upgrade level offered by Steve in the spring of 2020.  

    The amps are supported on Silent Running Audio (SRA) Ohio-Class XL+2 platforms configured specifically for my amplifiers using SRA's Component Specific Design™.
    • SPEAKERS - AERIAL ACOUSTICS MODEL LR5
    The LR5s were the precursor to Aerial Acoustic's 20T flagship. The dual 9-inch sealed bass reflex design provides detailed bass with a nice roll-off response at about about 40Hz.  A smooth, relaxed, musical, yet punchy sounding speaker, that displays just enough detail without being not overly analytical and can be very hard hitting indeed when properly powered. Michael Kelly with Aerial Acoustics told me, "the LR5s sound about as good as it gets above 40 Hz".

    Supported on custom Sound Anchor Signature Stands and Hudson Hi-Fi Platinum Silicone hemisphere elastomer footers over the carpeted concrete floor. 
    • SUBWOOFERS - AERIAL ACOUSTICS SW-12
    Dual SW12 subs offer outstanding bass response and a level of adjustability that allows me to seamlessly integrate them with the LR5s to provide smooth, deep bass response in the room.  Supported on dedicated Sound Anchor stands and decoupled from the floor using Sound Addicted Silicone SubCone Isolation feet.
    .

Comments 65

Showing all comments by grannyring.

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They sound like the kind of SS amps I would like. Very good stuff. I will follow your system closely and look forward to your posts.

grannyring

Wow! Ncore? I am sure surprised you went in this direction. These must sound awesome for you to have done it. Please tell me more about the amps and the sound. Most interesting!

grannyring

Great looking amp and build quality. Looks like you have some of the new Jupiter copper foils caps inside?!

Congrats and enjoy!

grannyring

Wow! Let us know how the amps sound once you get them. They sound very, very nice indeed. Your preamp is also amazing based on your description above.

Rhanson, I also used the Mini with and without the Mojo and with and withour the Offramp. The Offramp was the single biggest improvement I have ever experienced in my digital front end ....including the Mojo power supply. Now this is only true if you have the Dymamo power supply for your Offramp. If you don't, you really have not heard what the Offramp can do. The Dynamo power supply is a 30-50% improvement - no joke.

The Mojo comes in second for overall improvement in my digital front end and it was a nice improvement all the way around. Improved everything and FAR less digital noise and artifacts.

grannyring

That digital front end is quite special and you will like the sound!

grannyring

What amps will you be using now?

grannyring

Yes indeed. I have tried going the passive route and while some are very good like the Lightspeed, in the end they left me wanting. I missed the richness and emotion of the music.

Let us know what comes of your new preamp inquiry.

grannyring

Hi Mitch, I have also owned the Vibe preamp and tried it with the Pulse power supply and standard power supply. This is a great preamp. Very natural sounding and relaxed. The music swells as you turn up the volume without sounding loud or in your face. Very quiet also. Most impressive system also. Very well put together and thought out.

I would like to take you up on your offer to try the transformer. My amp is stereo, not mono-block. Like to see if this works. Please email me directly at,

[email protected]

The Dude IMHO is a preamp that may well have you selling the Vibe. The Vibe is the best SS pre I have ever heard or owned. As great as it is, the Dude offers all the same strengths, but brings even more to the sonic table.

Improved dymanics, scale, imaging and bass impact. Uncanny sound of live music and instruments must be heard to be understood fully. The new Dudes are better built and better sounding Mitch. Paul uses a better volume control and transformer in the new Dudes. The build quality is top notch. It would be magic with your wonderful Class A amps.

Email me as I have some other thoughts and experiences that you may find interesting.

Again, nice job on this wonderful system. Enjoy.....

grannyring

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