Sounds Good

by mitch2 on

Description

Simple to use, good tone, musical, dynamic and just plain enjoyable to listen to...
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Room Details

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

Components Toggle details

    • SERVER ROOM - ANTIPODES DX (currently)
    The server room is separate from my music system room, it is powered by a dedicated 20A line, and includes my modem, router, the music server running Roon core and storing my ripped music files, two Bonn N8 switches, a Sonore opticalModule, and linear power supplies for everything. 
    I also own a Mojo Audio Deja Vu server that is currently being repaired and I have a SGC sonicTransporter i9 (Gen 4) currently on order.  
    • 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 two DACs, 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); and 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.
    .

Comments 64

Showing all comments by mrpaul.

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Hi Mitch2,

Saw your response on the DAC thread that you are going to purchase the CAD USB cable. I believe you will enjoy it. In my system it is a good match with the Antipodes. Just a heads up that this cable takes time to break in. At the hundred hour point my friend with the Devialets was ready to give up on it. I talked him into sticking with it as I was past the 200 hour point and the cable was starting to show its potential. He did and he is now very positive about it. I have read some really great write-ups on your new DAC. Once you receive it and get some run time on it you need to post your impressions.

mrpaul

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