2. amps-preamps
  3. 1067644885

McCormack DNA-125/225 Upgrades

There has been much written here regarding the fabulous results of Steve McCormack's personal mods to the older DNA amplifier series (0.5, 1, and 2). Many of you know that I have been waiting for mods to become available to the newer DNA series (125/225). They are now available and I have mine scheduled to go in January (yes, there is a relatively significant backlog at this time). Steve is planning Gold and Platinum level upgrades, as opposed the the B, A, and A-gold, as in the past. These sound like very exciting mods and, if you are interested, call Steve for details.

Just a heads up to those who had wondered when these mods would be offered. By all accounts these mods are outstanding and will bring the 125 or 225 to the level of THE finest amps available.

I have nothing to do with SMCAudio, just a happy user of McCormack.

http://smcaudio.com/

David
4yanx
zaikesman
3,017 posts
 
Posters here may get an ironic smile out of my last post on this other thread (1/30/04).
ptmconsulting
1,000 posts
 
Zaik's - if that's a stock DNA 125 that you've got ... and you like it as much in a week as you do now ... then I believe you might seriously consider Steve's mods as a viable alternative to updating your other reference amp. There's noting subtle about the improvements wrought by Steve's mods. Just when you start asking "Could it get any better than this" ... it does.

Enjoy,
Bob
tombowlus
416 posts
 
Correct me if I am wrong, Steve, but the reference above that the DNA-125, DNA-225, and DNA-500 "differ only in power output rating" is incorrect, is it not? I was under the impression that only the DNA-500 was the full balanced, push/pull differential drive design. Am I right? If so, this would yield sonic differences above and beyond mere power output differneces, I would tend to think.

Tom.
sukihock
5 posts
 
Tom, I'm awaiting the delivery of my DNA-500 and you are absolutely correct. When I asked Steve McCormack about any DNA-HT5 upgrades (I owned one) and whether it would then be on par with the 500, he kindly replied that there was nothing that he could do to the HT5 to make it sonically on par with the 500. As you said, it is a totally balanced push/pull design. Additionally, Steve wasn't under as much budget constraints regarding this ststement product.

Regards,

Ron
bruce_1
91 posts
 
A recent experience to supplement previous posts on this topic: I wanted to audition a $2k MC cartridge so I took my DNA 225 SMc modified amp with me to the dealer to use with the dealer's speakers, of the same brand and model as my own. The other equipment was similar to my own, so it made for a good test of the cartridge's sound as I would experience it at home. We plugged in the DNA225 to warm up for 40min. or so and listened to the dealer's $6k well known brand tube amp in the interim. When we hooked up the DNA225 the dealer was shocked to discover that the DNA225 sounded better in every way than his amp. He even told another customer to come listen! Ptmconsulting is correct--there is nothing subtle about the improvements Steve's mods make to the sound of the DNA.
More to discover