A while ago I reported that, at least for use as a music server, the SR3 can easily provide enough current to run a Mac Mini, and that it gave a quite extraordinary improvement to the music performance of a 2009 Mini. Later, I did a comparison of the SR3 with a Mojo supply, using two different 2009 Minis and a high-end system, in the US.
(see
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=108737.0)
The later experiment showed that even though the SR3 was a very big improvement on the Apple “white brick” supply, there was quite a lot more to be gained by going to the higher current Mojo supply, at least on this rather expensive system. This, together with Paul’s multi-buy offer of last year, persuaded me that I should try an SR5 on my considerably less expensive system (below).
I have now had the SR5 for a few weeks; there was a big change during the first week of ‘burn-in’, but it appears to have stabilised now. I found a very similar improvement, by changing from SR3 to SR5, to the improvement which the Mojo gave on the high-end system. Using the same recordings as before, there was the same improvement in audio quality, and in the feel for the recording acoustic, on changing to the higher current supply. Perhaps because detail is now clearer, I find myself turning down volume levels.
There is also a significant improvement in bass definition. One recording where this effect is very clear is the Bartok Sonata for two pianos and percussion (Perahia, Solti, Glennie, Corkhill). This opens with a pianissimo kettledrum roll, which previously was just that, but now each individual drumbeat is focussed; when the pianos answer from the bottom end of the keyboards, they too are sharper-edged. Later as things build up there are several bass drum entries- these always gave the feeling of shaking the room, but now I hear the start of the ‘note’ clearly as well.
The SR3 is a superb bit of kit, which gives a great improvement in audio performance for the Mini at a reasonable cost. Nevertheless, the SR5, at least on my system, is a very worthwhile improvement on it, and I’m very pleased I made the investment. Thank you Paul for the multi-buy arrangement (even if it did take a bit longer than either of us expected…).
System:
2009 Mini, 60G SSD, 4G Ram; WiFi, Bluetooth and CD drive all removed, operated headless via bridge, running Audirvana+ (integer mode), isolated USB to Audiolab M-DAC, Creek passive preamp, Flying Mole MA-S160 (2x 100w Class D) , and Audiovector 3X. Transparent speaker cables, Mark Grant interconnects.
