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Best option for Amp upgrade...

I have a McCormack DNA 500 that I like.  I'm considering spending about $4k to have it modded by Steve McCormack (SMC).  Alternatively, I could sell the DNA 500 for about $3k and have $7k to spend on a used (or new) solid state amp.  I'm inviting opinions on which would give me the best bang for the buck.  I'm hoping to achieve greater resolution and detail.  Bass control is not an issue!  Here is the rest of my system:

Pre-amp - CJ ET3-SE
Speakers - Rockport Mira II with REL G2 sub
Source - Aurender A10
Cabling - Transparent Ultra MM2 speaker, Gen 5 Super interconnects, Reference power cords (mostly) 

If you suggest a new amp, I'd be interested in your recommendations.  Thanks!


shoff
Post removed 
2psyop's avatar
2psyop
779 posts
 
If you could find a pair of Parasound JC1’s at at your price point, I would think that would give you better sound and more power (current). Not to mention it is designed by a legend in the field. BTW I have the A21 stereo amp and liked it better than the McCormack DNA 125 it replaced.
jl35
2,244 posts
 
Pass X250.8,  Parasound JC1,  modded McCormack - all great amps, just a matter of personal preference...a friend has a SMC modded DNA 225 that is awesome...
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
2,678 posts
 
Since you have a CJ preamp,why not get a CJ amp?
http://conradjohnson.com/mf2550-and-mf2275-solid-state-amplifiers/
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,611 posts
 
Wow!  If you have the money for the full SMc Audio modification to your present amp, GO FOR IT!  I have an SMc modded DNA-1.  The Revision A+ mod was done about a decade or so ago.  It sounds fantastic and I'm sure if I had it upgraded to the Signature mod offered now it would be even better.  Steve McCormack is a great guy to talk to and work with and is every bit the designer as John Curl is at Parasound.

In talking with Steve he expressed strongly held opinions on the parts that he selects for his mods down to the quality of the fuses he uses.

I'm sure there are many fine amps you could buy with your generous budget.  If you're in the mood for a new shiny beast that's cool, but if you let Steve do the full monty on your DNA 500 you will be a very satisfied listener.  The DNA concept design of mating each output transistor with its own generous capacitor does, as Steve intended, yield a "quick" sound with clean impactful initial note impacts.  PRAT!

All the best!
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