The server room is located with my network equipment (modem and router) and is separate from my music system room. The server 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.
Power to all the network and server equipment is provided through a dedicated 20A line. The Ethernet connection from the router passes through two optical converters for isolation, and then continues to the server, which outputs Ethernet to an optical switch, and then a direct connection by fiber from the switch to a Sonore Signature Rendu SE (optical) streamer located in the room with my main music system. All the electronics in the network/server room, including the modem, router, server, and switch, are powered using linear power supplies.
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 pleased with the functionality of the SGC sonicTransporter i9.
DIGITAL FRONT END - SONORE, SINGXER, MOJO AUDIO, SMc AUDIO
The digital front end in my system room begins with an optical input from the server room into a Sonore Signature Rendu SE Optical. USB connects the Signature Rendu to a Singxer DDC, which then outputs a digital signal via S/PDIF, AES/EBU, and Toslink to the DAC of my choice, which may include a Mojo Audio Mystique Evo Pro a non-oversampling, direct-coupled, R-2R DAC built around two Analog Devices monolithic AD1862 R-2R ladder DAC chips (special Z-version); a Mojo Audio Mystique X SE (with nano-crystal chokes and Z-chips), or an SMc Audio DAC-2 GT-24, that uses the CS4328 chip by Crystal Semiconductor and other tasty part upgrades for a tonally dense and very enjoyable sound.
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. .
System edited: Time to post about my recent system changes, which involve moving my main system into our lower level so I can listen to music when I want, while the rest of the family watches television upstairs. I was able to keep an HT setup upstairs where I also use a second Lector CDP 7TL MkIII for playing music. The new room is about 19 by 45 feet in size, although the listening area is only about 19 by 20 feet, and a pool table is located in the remaining area. The room has 9 foot tall ceilings, is carpeted, and has daylight windows with cellular blinds on two sides. I have configured my system in a modified corner setup, which provides suitable soundstaging at the main listening position, and also projects music into the room for everyones enjoyment when guests are over. I am pretty satisfied with my current components and speakers, and do not anticipate significant changes in the foreseeable future, although I may try another tubed preamp just for kicks. The Lector CDP has been the final touch in making this system fun to listen to. The music is coherent, rich and juicy, with a solid bass foundation. By comparison, the SS CD players I tried were too neutral, and did not involve me the way the Lector does. Since I own two of them, I can say without hesitation, that the Lector is musical regardless of whether it is paired with my main two channel components or with an HT receiver. I have not yet attempted significant room treatments, although I believe the size of the room, and the corner placement of the system, help in taming early reflections off the walls. Also, the room is adequately damped by the carpeting and stuffed furniture, and the wall behind the speakers is insulated with fiberglass batting. I have provided significant vibration control by using Zoethecus Z-slab platforms under all components, except the Lector, which is supported by Black Diamond cones over a Black Diamond platform, then Herbies tenderfeet and finally an air platform. This isolation goes from hardest to softest, and I find it to be excellent for the Lector. Comments are welcome.
They came from a company in California, and were packed extremely well and shipped to me in Michigan. They are made of 5/4 quartersawn red oak, and are constructed to a point which strikes a balance between something that looks good but is not exorbitantly expensive. If you go through a custom woodworker, you would likely get better wood (white oak or cherry) and somewhat better construction but at least double the price - at least that is what I found. These generally match some of our other furniture and offer a look that is better for our main living space than open air racks. My amp is in the center of the long lower piece, and I have two very quiet computer fans that keep the amp compartment cool. I will try and locate a link to the furniture and e-mail it to you. - Tim
System edited: Finally, a solid state preamp that can make me forget about tubes. At this point, I am very happy with the sound of this system. I do not see myself changing speakers, amp, or preamp any time soon. The Ayre CX-7e source is also quite good, and the interface with that unit is outstanding. The preamp choice was hardest, and I heard several top notch tube and solid state preamps before hearing the Vibe with Pulse and adding it to my system. I am not sure how the Pulse II could further improve on the sound I am getting but I plan to upgrade and I look forward to hearing the improvements.
Hi Randy, I certainly understand the pleasure to be had from the Circes. I honestly think if I had used them in a dedicated listening room with acoustic treatments, and driven by an all tube system, I could have made them work on a wider variety of my music collection. However, for now, the more conventional Aerials and SS gear works better in my living room/HT set up. The more I listen, I think the problem I had with the Circe involved a mid-bass suck-out and a lack of punch in the mid-bass. I think Carl tried to correct that with the dual 8 inch bass drivers used in the Viper, and has taken it even further by using twin Seas Excel cast magnesium bass drivers in the Viper Reference. I would like to hear a pair of those. I wish I could have made the Circe's work with my gear and in my room, because I do miss the midrange and soundstaging, which were outstanding.
Just to put my 2c in here, my Circe's sound great on all forms of music, but then I am driving them with tubes (110W/C). I am glad that you like the Aerial's. I have been auditioning other speakers for a couple of years now but the Circe's are tough to beat. Neither the Vandersteen 5A's or the Kharma 3.2CE's could persuade me to make the switch. I might try the Aerial 20T's if I can find them somewhere on my travels. Randy
Thanks for posting your fine system! It's fun (for me at least) to see other audiophiles' systems in a real life environment. Great photos. Thanks again, and enjoy. Bill
System edited: After finally getting my system to where I thought it should be, I realized I was not satisified with the result. I had totally upgraded my Alon V's to Circes, and even added a SF Line 3 SE. The result was absolutely wonderful performance on about 20% of my music collection, but something less on the other 80%. Either the Alon's are just not cut out for SS gear, or they are not voiced for rock music. The new Aerial 9's have proven much better at integrating with my SS system, and performing well on a wide variety of music. Their strengths include a tight driving bass and mid-bass, and open midrange. I do miss the Alon's when I play certain CD's. They had a way of making you believe the performer was in the room, on certain music, especially through the SF tube pre. I believe there may be a better SS preamp out there for me, but I want to stay all balanced and need the HT pass-through. The Muse is good, and bettered the SF Line 3 SE on bass and quietness, but does not provide the dimensionality of the SF tube unit. I have considered the Sim P5 LE or Calypso, and would be interested in recommendations.
Ok, good point, time to get of my duff and post about the updates, which are many, including the room. I will take some new pictures and get it done before the end of the week.
Okay, it's been a while since your last update. What was the outcome of your search for cables? Those speakers look great! Like you, I prefer DIY tweaks and mods. The satisfaction level is so much higher when you stand back and reflect on your efforts. It's also cheaper.
Yes I did, and there was certainly a noticable improvement. What I notice about the new tweeters most, are they seem not as forward, and as a result more natural, and they are much smoother on decay. The woofers convey more textural images, so the bass notes actually sound like they belong to specific instruments. Not that the upgraded MKIII woofers were bad, just that the alnico version sounds more accurate, with less distortion to mask the specific instrument sounds. I also now use Alon's Thunderbolt sub, cut off at its lowest level, to add just a touch of the very bottom, which improves the rock music performance of these speakers. All in all, I am very happy with them, except for my speaker wire quest....but that is another story.
Did you ever install the Alon Circe woofer and tweeter in the Alon V? You said the Alon V already came with a Alnico midrange. Is that what the Alon V originally has installed? Is that the same midrange as the Alon IV has as well? Did you ever upgrade the crossovers?
Thanks Norfish, for the kind response. They look better in person than in those pictures. One thing that helped was the thick veneer used by Alon, since I had to "scour" some of the black out of the grooves in the oak using a small nylon (and sometimes brass) brush. However, after removing the black laquer, and a little light sanding, they took the new stain very well. They are finished off with a sanding sealer and 9 light coats of laquer finish. If I had to do it again, I would definitely take them totally apart and have the cabinets professionally dipped in a chemical remover, which would probably be stronger than the zip-strip I used. Thanks again.
