Sounds Good | Virtual Listening Room

SYSTEM ROOM, MARCH, '24

MAGNETIC BREAKERS

MAGNETIC BREAKERS

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

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

ARIES CERAT HELENE INSIDE

Wool Felt base below platforms

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 X SE NZC, SMc AUDIO DAC-2 GT-24, ARIES CERAT HELENE
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.
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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 22:31

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 14:16

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 15:35