Mojo Audio's latest server/streamer using their menu driven media optimized RAM-root Linux operating system

Uses Amtrans AMRG carbon resistors to provide independent volume control of each channel, or balance adjustment.  Includes the NewClassD op-amp active stage with switchable gain settings of +3/6/9 dB.  Remote control and display are the best I have had for a preamp.  Whether running this in passive mode in front of either my SMc unity-gain buffer, or in front of the Hattor Tube Active Stage (+6dB) this is easily the best -sounding passive I have used compared to Goldpoint, Endler, and Bent-type transformer Jay-Sho.  The internal op-amp active stage also sounds very good putting this as one of the best sounding active preamps I have owned out of many.

A tube buffer set for an active stage providing 6dB gain (stock units are 9dB).  Unit came with NOS ECC82 (12AU7/5963) Jan Phillips tubes and I also have tried it with Mullards.  This active stage provides a very nice sounding complement to the Hattor Big Preamp run in passive mode.

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.  Highlights include; New faceplates, powder-coated chassis and heatsinks, large Plitron low-noise transformers, circuit and grounding upgrades, Lundahl input transformers, new power capacitors, special capacitors and resistors in strategic locations, special wire, Stillpoint mini footers, Cardas binding posts, and SMc Audio's new Gravity Base on each of the amps.  

Retains the virtues of my former Model 9s, with tight tuneful bass you can feel, open mids, and smooth highs. The SR5s improve on the bass of the Model 9s with a better roll-off response and more detail due to the dual 9-inch sealed bass reflex design vs. the ported Model 9s.  While these Model LR5s do not go quite as low as the 9s, the bass above 40Hz is of a higher quality and the addition of dual Aerial SW12 subs more than makes up the difference while helping better balance the bass response in my room.  A smooth, relaxed, yet punchy sounding speaker, that is not overly analytical but can be very hard hitting indeed when properly powered. 

Running dual SW12 subs for outstanding bass response that I can tailor to the room.  These are very nice, musical and powerful sounding subs that fill in the lowest octave with tight bass and great impact. They seamlessly accept the hand-off from the LR5s below 40Hz.  Supported on dedicated Sound Anchor stands and decoupled from the floor using damped springs.

60 amp power conditioner.

The TLC-1 SE was a collaboration between myself and Steve McCormack and one of the pictures shows the newly completed unit on Steve's workbench. This is a completely reworked TLC-1 that has all upgrades from available SMc Audio in 2014, and utilizes the choke power supply, Lundahl transformers and the Shallco discrete resistor volume control used in Steve's VRE-1B preamp, along with other improvements Steve came up with in this all-out rebuild of a classic preamp. The current configuration of this unit is as a unity-gain buffer with the Shallco volume control being decommissioned and replaced by two, large, Audio Note Tantalum silver resistors for a fixed unity-gain.  I first modified this as a buffer to allow the use of a DAC with internal volume control but after adding the Mystique EVO, which does not have a volume control, I also added the Khozmo passive unit so I could have a remote volume control with a display.

The flagship server by Antipodes with 2TB internal SSD, linear power supplies and many other features resulting in an easy-to-use, exceptional sounding music server.

The Adagio is Metrum's flagship DAC with internal volume control and, along with their Pavane, is the best I have owned for the money.  In direct comparison with the Pavane that I also owned, the two were very close to the point where having the remote volume option of the Adagio outweighed any small sonic differences (which may have slightly favored the Pavane).  Both the Adagio and Pavane provide a rich, powerful sound, with a very nice balance between resolution and tonality.  The sound from these DACs can be further tailored by inserting a preamp or buffer (in my case) between the DAC and power amplifier.

Roon endpoint connected to the Antipodes DX by Ethernet and then to the Adagio DAC via I2S to the I2S input replacement board offered by Metrum.  I have tried other inputs and have found AES/EBU to be a close second to the I2S connection.  I did not find the USB or bnc connections to sound as good as I2S or AES/EBU.  -tX-USBultra regenerator 
-sPS-500 Power Supply

Balanced NOS DAC with USB input and extended range output transformers. Very natural sounding with excellent body, tone and texture; exceptional bass, smooth and refined treble, and great depth and soundstaging. This DAC betters the (quite good) Hex in every way.

Class A monoblocks with 300wpc into 8 ohms and 600wpc into 4 ohms, all in Class A.  Power supply/amplifiers upgraded by Clayton in 2016.  Winner of the Claylamack shoot-out and the best sounding amplifiers I have ever owned.

The USB connection between the Antipodes DX and Metrum Pavane includes the Totaldac USB cable/filter into the W4S Recovery powered by an HD Plex linear power supply and finally a Curious link (short cable) into the DAC.

You can never have too much power...

Compact Sound Anchor stand is perfect for my equipment. Electronic components sit on Herbies Tenderfeet directly on the steel bar supports of the stand. The stand is supported on edenSound Bear Paws through the carpet and directly on the concrete floor. The top shelf is a quartersawn oak top I made from a board.

I employ a variety of damping and isolation products and everything is supported on Sound Anchor stands. Electronics were recently moved from my heavy Sound Anchor rack to very solid quartersawn oak furniture with the digital front end in a heavily reinforced cabinet and the preamp on the lower level of a quartersawn oak table.  Aerial LR5 speakers are supported on custom Sound Anchor Signature Stands with edenSound feet and mono amps are supported on Sound Anchor low profile weighted amp stands with quartersawn oak platforms between the amps and stands.  The dual SW12 subs are supported on Sound Anchor cradle bases. The electronic components and amps sit on a variety of edenSound Terrastone or Herbies footers directly supported by the described stands. Electronic components are damped with edenSound solid brass damping weights finished with EAR Isodamp on the bottom.

I have tried many cables over the years and after coming full circle it is my experience that while cables do make a difference, you can get very good sound with a variety of DIY options. Most recently, I have been using Duelund 20 ga balanced ICs and dual quads of cross-connected Duelund 12 ga wires in a bi-wire configuration to each speaker.  I also still occasionally use Jupiter Condenser 6N copper in cotton IC cables that I have found to sound very nice.   I will eventually be comparing the Duelund wire with my NOS vintage WE10awg speaker cables.  Still using power cables made with WE 10 ga wires and high quality connectors. I keep cables as short as practical, with only the ICs from DAC to preamp being over 1M.  I also have cables here by Furutech, Neotech and Harmonic Technology that I have terminated and which sound very good. I will never again spend big bucks on manufactured cables, although I do admit to having one 2M Isoclean Auto Focus power cord that I use when I move things around and need a longer cord for some reason.

Power cables constructed from the WE 10 awg wire using a pair of wires to each the load, neutral and ground for an aggregate of 7awg to each pole.  Unshielded and constructed using Furutech FI-11 (Cu) connectors.  Currently using them on the Clayton monoblocks and the SMc preamp.

DNA-2 LAE platform, with 300/600 watts per channel into 8/4 ohms, using Lundahl transformers, all new caps including Jupiter copper foil caps, and many other new parts. Captive power cord eliminates one connection. Supported on Sound Anchor stand with edenSound Bear Paw footers.   This is a great-sounding amp that I still own but is not currently in my system because the Claytons are a bit better.  Can't bring myself to sell this for a too-low price so will hang onto it until I figure out a need for it.

DNA-2 LAE Signature Edition All available upgrades by SMc Audio in 2014.

DNA-2 LAE Signature Edition All available upgrades by SMc Audio in 2014.

Monoblock amplifiers using Bruno Putzeys Ncore Class D technology, NC1200 amplifier modules for 400wpc/8ohm and 1200wpc/2ohm power and 128dB S/N Ratio. I have taken these out of my system in favor of the SMc Audio DNA-2 LAE Signature Edition

2012 Mac mini i7 source with 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD, and Glyph GTP50 for back ups. Output through USB Wireworld Starlight cable into ifi Purifier, then ifi Power then Gemini dual USB cable (using only the signal link) into the Hex DAC

The MUSE Erato II player is beguiling. A CD and high-rez DVD player that does all the audio things right, but also displays a very evenhanded presentation where no single area detracts from the whole. There is absolutely no digital grain and, to go further, this player has a way with attack and decay that is very believable while imparting a dimensionality and roundness to the musical presentation. It is hard to explain but, when you hear it, you know it is good. I kept this player after a long-term comparison with an Ayre C-5xeMP player, which was quite good in the bass and detailed, but was not quite as enjoyable overall – I keep going back to the MUSE. This I no longer own this but will keep the picture/description for those who may be interested in this not too well known MUSE player that also has the on-board preamp option and can be run directly to the amplifiers.

Furutech GTX-D(R) and Porter Port outlets, edenSound brass damping weights, Shakti Stones, edenSound Terrastone footers, Cable Elevators Plus, EVS Ground Enhancers

This is what you SoCal people miss out on.

Pair of star quad, bi-wire speaker cables made from Western Electric NOS tinned copper wire with two runs of 16awg wire to the MF/HF of each pole and two runs of 14awg wire to the LF of each pole. Cardas GRS spades, soldered to the tinned wire using Cardas quad eutectic solder