McCormack DNA .5 and 1- big difference?


I've got some B&K amps (ST-202 & Sonata EX-442) but a chance to pick up a McCormack DNA at a good price has arisen. Trying to pony up some spending money in case it's a wise choice.

I've lusted after the DNA 1, this model is the .5 however.

Looks like a slightly simplified board design internally, and power doesn't seem to be that reduced- advertised 100wpc/8 ohms for the .5 vs. 150wpc/8 ohms for the 1.

Looks like neither are a dual mono design- which I like in my EX-442.

Would the .5 also run cooler?

Need to power a variety of speakers- Dahlquist DQ-10s, aDs L1230s, AR 9LSIs, Vandersteen 2Cs and Thiel CS 2s.
thedelihaus
your b&k's suffer from 'familiarity'...they're really good....you're speakers are classics too. you probably just just have a bug to spend.....really listen to your system like you used to, the bug will go away.
The .5 is a DC coupled design; you can start worrying about welding your voice coils again.
In the past I owned a B&K EX-4420 and ST-3030 amps. Not bad for the money, but the McCormack amps are worlds better. I had a standard DNA-1 and DNA delux monoblocks, never heard a 0.5. I say go for whatever McCormack amp your budget allows.

Shakey