Synergy - Mix and Match - Solid State of Mind

I am not aware of any noises/audible distortions (such as when idle). As for black silences, the best I can say is that the silences are there and they are not there.

The silence is there because this is a very fast amp. The rise and fall time is as good as I've heard from any amp.

In fact, that is one of the biggest attributes with the LAE version and was known at the time as the fastest amp running. The Revision A meets or exceeds that speed. So silence in that there is inter-transient silence prior to the initial attack of a musical note.

The silence is not there in that well-engineered equipment (which includes fast transistors, etc.) will also pick up much more of the ensuing decay of a musical note after the initial attack whereas lesser components will not.

Therefore, a musical note lingers and evaporates more naturally into the noise-floor rather than dropping off prematurely.

Don't know if this answers your question or helps in any way, but after owning about 6 amps over a 3 year period, I haven't even considered another amp in the 27 months I've owned this Revision A model.

The only other amp I would entertain would be a DNA-2 Revision A Gold and the latest options McCormack currently offers.

This amp convinced me that the amp is the key to any system's performance. (whether good or bad).

-IMO

I heard the Caravelles at THE Show and they are an excellent speaker.

I used to own a McCormack DNA-2 LAE. The LAE is everything they said it is/was (Peter Moncrief of IAR proclaimed it the best SS amp in 1998). But the LAE simply is no match for my McCormack DNA-2 Revision A.

I'd suggest buying the LAE and have Steve McC convert it to a Revision A Gold.

-IMO

Lean? The LAE, yes. the Revision A, far from it.

Do not be confused with off-the-shelf DNAs and Revision A DNAs.

-IMO

I am not aware of any preferences as you state, as I've used the same pair of full-range speakers for the last 4 years now. My Aerial 10T's are 4ohm loads and a rather low sensitivity of 84 or 86db.

BTW, you might check out smcaudio.com for the McCormack mods.

-IMO

Cagliostro, if others are telling you that the McCormack wouldn't be that nice with overly "bright" speakers..., then perhaps they are confusing the DNA- Revision amps with the DNA off-the-shelf amps.

With a Revision A or better DNA-2 amp, you should not need to concern yourself with overly bright speakers.

-IMO

Cagliostro, I don't know which BAT amp you're considering, but I used to own a BAT VK-500 with BATPAK. That was about 4 amps ago.

As for the speakers, if per chance you were to purchase a DNA-2 Revision A, you owe it to yourself to purchase full-range speakers. With the right cable, you may be in for quite a shock what deep, tight, well-defined bass really sounds like and what it does to the entire presentation as a whole.

-IMO

Can't afford the shipping? Hmmm. My Aerial 10Ts (about 350 lbs. boxed) shipped 1500 miles via UPS for about $200.

Regarding the BAT vk-500's performance? Like I said, that was 4 amps ago. That should tell you something.

If smaller speakers are your desire, then I'd give the Caravelles a serious listen. I heard them at THE Show last month and they are an impressive speaker.

If you don't need all the power of a DNA-2 Rev A amp, then one or two DNA-2 0.5 Rev. A amps could work just fine. For one thing, they weigh substantially less than a DNA-2 Rev. A.

-IMO