McCormack or Pass Labs

Thanks for the responses, guys. I have a T-series amp right now (it's for sale on Audiogon).

I was leaning toward the Pass. It's hard for me to reconcile how McCormack could get that much legitimate power out of a relatively light chasis, having read Nelson Pass's treatise on power supplies, etc.

Thanks!

J

Jwilt,

You asked about McCormack DNA-2 Rev "A"s, but feedback thus far has been limited to McCormack's "in general" and the DNA-225. Read the info (reviews and threads) about the aftermarket revisions by Steve McCormack at SMC Audio. I'm sure you already have though, or you would not have mentioned the Rev "A" in your thread.

My understanding is that these mods turn the amps into something very different than the stock versions, which are the only versions mentioned in the thread thus far.

I'd like to tell you how my DNA-1 Rev A mono-blocks differ from the "stock" DNA-1's, but I've never heard the stock versions. However, I can tell you that I enjoy my Rev A's. I have compared them to Krell 450-mcx, Classe CAM's, Wolcott ?, Mark Levinson 332?, and a few others. I discovered that I would have to spend a lot more to be a lot happier.

Good luck,
Jim

I only have experience with the DNA-125, but in my system, used as a spare to back up my VTL mono's, I thought soundstaging was a major strong point, although image height could have been better. I also did not find the tonal balance to be at all thin or bright, a criticism I've read of the new McCormacks. To me, it sounds smooth and deep, with quite good resolution, if not all the clarity or life of my reference, and has power and dynamics to spare. At the price I think it's a bargain, but this assessment can't necessarily be translated directly to the 225 (some experienced listeners have even reported prefering the 125 if the higher power is not a consideration). One thing I'm sure of is that you shouldn't seriously audition your McCormack until it's been on and playing music for at least 2 hours, and the same may well go for the Pass. Also, my 125 works much better with my Satori SC, whereas with my VTL's I tend to prefer the Au24, for whatever that's worth. It wouldn't surprise me if the Pass was better, only not for the same money.

I have an X250, buy it, you will have no regrets. Besides, you can always sell it and recoup your investment if you want to try something else. They sell well because everyone recognizes that it's quality stuff. However, you will not want to sell it.

My X250 is on the way...

Jim