Sounds Good

by mitch2 on Done For Now
SYSTEM ROOM JANUARY 2026
DIGITAL FRONT END 1/2
DIGITAL FRONT END 2/2
SONORE SIGNATURE RENDU SE DELUXE (optical)
SINGXER SU-6 and UIP PRO
ARIES CERAT HELENE
ARIES CERAT HELENE INSIDE
MEARSON DAC1 MKII
SMc VRE-1C PREAMP
AERIAL ACOUSTICS LR5s
SMc AUDIO DAC-2 GT-24
SMc AUDIO DNA-1 ULTRA G20 MONOBLOCKS
SMc AUDIO DNA-1 ULTRA G20 MONOBLOCKS
SMc AUDIO DNA-1 ULTRA G20 MONOBLOCKS
AERIAL ACOUSTICS SW12 (TWO)
MAGNETIC BREAKERS
MAGNETIC BREAKERS
SMc Audio DAC-2 GT-24
SMc AUDIO DAC-2 GT-24
SMc AUDIO DAC-2 GT-24
MOJO AUDIO MYSTIQUE EVO PRO (w/Z-CHIPS)
MOJO AUDIO MYSTIQUE X SE NC Z
METRUM ACOUSTICS AMBRE STREAMER
HATTOR AUDIO VOLUME CONTROL AND SMc BUFFER

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, BONN, AND MORE

    -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

    • STREAMER SONORE SIGNATURE RENDU SE DELUXE OPTICAL AND SINGXER SU-6 DDC
    Latest version Signature Rendu SE Deluxe Optical connected via Totaldac D-1 USB cable/filter to Singxer UIP-1 Pro filter, then Totaldac Gigafilter USB cable into Singxer SU-6 DDC that feeds the two DACs using S/PDIF RCA and/or AES/EBU cables.
    • DIGITAL TO ANALOG CONVERTERS (DACs) ARIES CERAT HELENE and Merason DAC1 MkII
    Aries Cerat Helene tubed DAC and the solid state Merason DAC1 MkII are both used in my main system.  The Merason DAC1 MkII stays powered up continually and is a great choice for when I want to listen without warming up the AC Helene tubes.  The AC Helene displays the best of R2R and is one of the most natural and musical sounding DACs I have heard.  The Merason DAC1 MkII comes close in terms of listening enjoyment but sounds somewhat different due to its dual Burr-Brown PCM1794A hybrid multibit/Delta-Sigma DAC chips.
    • PREAMP - SMc AUDIO VRE-1C
    The SMc Audio VRE-1C preamp is an active unity gain unit that can provide up to 6dB gain through its output transformers.  It is natural sounding and dynamic with amazing clarity and tonal qualities.  
    • 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.
    .
    • FORMER COMPONENTS
    NONE

Comments 66

Showing all comments by tomic601.

View all comments

Sign in to comment
lovely system !

tomic601

  • 40.4 Thousand
  • 66
  •  5
© 2026 Audiogon.com