Sounds Good | Virtual Listening Room

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

Wool Felt base below constrained layer platform and Black Diamond Racing shelf

ARIES CERAT HELENE INSIDE

HATTOR AUDIO 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

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

ARIES CERAT HELENE FRONT

MAGNETIC BREAKERS

MAGNETIC BREAKERS

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) ARIES CERAT HELENE, MOJO AUDIO MYSTIQUE X SE NZC, and SMc AUDIO DAC-2 GT-24,
The Hele'ne is the latest addition to my DAC stable that includes, in addition to the three listed, a Benchmark DAC3 HGC, Metrum Acoustics Jade, and Monarchy Audio Model 22B Limited Edition (with BB PCM63 chips!). The Hele'ne has become my go-to DAC followed by the Mojo Audio DAC. I look forward to soon hearing a Mojo Audio Mystique Z DAC, that will have BB PCM58 chips.
- PREAMP - HATTOR AUDIO AND SMc AUDIO
The preamp includes two pieces, a separate volume control and a unity-gain active buffer. This set-up is my attempt to have a large readable display and remote control of volume, balance, source, and mute. I am currently using a Hattor Audio "The Big" preamp with Amtrans AMRG carbon resistors in passive mode. However, I now also have a new Hattor Audio Autoformer Reference Preamplifier, which is also a passive unit. They both sound good but slightly different. I like the autoformer unit into the buffer slightly better than as a stand-alone unit, without the buffer. I have been lately trying to figure out which of the two units I like better.

The volume control feeds a SMc Audio TLC-1 Signature Edition preamp that has had the volume control removed and replaced with two Audio Note Silver Tantalum Resistors. The preamp was originally set for unity gain so it is now an active unity gain buffer.

The TLC-1 SE offers a very similar sound as SMc Audio's original 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 dynamic 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 Herbie's Audio Lab Giant Fat Gliders 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.
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And thanks for sharing your opinion of the Mojo. I have talked with Ben and am sending mine in next week!

rhanson739 April 19, 2014 20:31

Mitch, thanks for the information. I'll look into it soon, although I have other changes underway in my system.

I can't speak much to having A/B'd the Off Ramp. I installed it with a number of other changes, and it sounded great, so I left things alone.

Steve Nugent offers a 30-day return on his products, so I don't think you can go wrong with a trial. When things in my system settle down, I'll likely try his Final Drive to see where that takes me.

Enjoy the music!
Rob

rhanson739 April 17, 2014 12:16

It has been interesting to look through your system. Thanks for posting it.

In an ongoing effort to improve my sound, I'm curious as to how the Mojo upgrades affected the Mac Mini? I'm on a 2012/3 Mini with 256 SSD and external 2TB OWC Mercury Elite Pro disk connected by FW800. I run USB out to an Emperical Audio Off Ramp 5.

Wondering if the Mojo upgrades are worth the cost and downtime.

Thanks!

rhanson739 April 16, 2014 13:35