McCormack DNA-1 experience
Dbweaver
concept of "doing it right" from the source on out to loudspeakers,
and am considering the McCormack DNA-1 Deluxe as the power amplifier
for this reference audio-only system.
I would be most interested in the experiences of current DNA-1 owners:
(1) Your opinions of McCormack in backing the product.
(2) Your opinions on sound quality after any needed break-in time.
(3) Your opinions on DNA-1 build quality, and any deficiencies noted after
living with the amp for several months.
(4) Your opinions on synergistic pre-amplifier and cable combinations.
Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences with this products
which has played in the audio press to rave reviews; now for the truth
serum - your thoughts and opinions.
david (d.s.y.) wong
dbwe...@aol.com (Dbweaver) writes:
|> I am planning a major audio system upgrade. I believe strongly in the
|> concept of "doing it right" from the source on out to loudspeakers,
|> and am considering the McCormack DNA-1 Deluxe as the power amplifier
|> for this reference audio-only system.
|> I would be most interested in the experiences of current DNA-1 owners:
|> (1) Your opinions of McCormack in backing the product.
|> (2) Your opinions on sound quality after any needed break-in time.
|> (3) Your opinions on DNA-1 build quality, and any deficiencies noted after
|> living with the amp for several months.
|> (4) Your opinions on synergistic pre-amplifier and cable combinations.
For reference, my current systems consists of:
Kinergetics KCD-40 CD player feeding a Classe Audio Five pre-amp
feeding a McCormack DNA-1 power amplifier which drives a pair
of Apogee Duetta Signature speakers. I currently use Tara Labs
RSC Reference (Gen 1) speaker cables bi-wired and interconnects
by a local cable builder known as Simple Wave.
I've owned the McCormack DNA-1 amplifier for about 3 years now. That
was the original (and not Deluxe) amplifier rated at 150/300 watts
into 8/4 ohms. The recent offering might be 175 watts into 8 ohms.
I auditioned a few amplifiers. To name some: Aragon 4004 MkII,
OCM/Belles 200 and 500, Classe S-700, PS Audio 200 (?), ...
Basically, I was not as fussy when choosing the amp, although I should
have been. Not bad price/performance. And for my speakers, the power
and stability was written to be quite adequate, which experience has
shown to be true, especially at my modest listening volume levels.
There are better amps which have teased me but for the money, the
DNA-1 was suitable and adequate. I continue to keep an eye out on
upgrade amps - dual monoblocks or stereo pair.
Perhaps the biggest head-to-head comparison which I experienced was
between a modified (upgraded) Aragon 4004 MkII and McCormack DNA-1.
I found the Aragon better in the bass in terms of power and impact but
overall I found the McCormack better sounding. The McCormack is not
bad bass through the Duetta Signatures (which can be lean in upper
midbass at times, but could also be my CD player). Highs are more
pleasant than Aragon which could sound somewhat hard at times - when
it happens, Duetta Signatures don't hide anything!
About the only problem encountered so far was that I broke one of the
5-way binding posts, which was mostly due to my carelessness. I
received extremely prompt and satifying replacement service from the
McCormack company directly. I seem to recall that they charged
nothing. (Wasn't much anyway, but it was the way I was treated.)
Yes, break-in time was needed, although I don't recall how long;
didn't track it. It is now very well broken in.
I don't know much about electronics and assembly, but visual
inspection shows clean layout and wiring.
I have not auditioned many pre-amps in synergy with the DNA-1. The
Classe Five pre-amp is an excellent match. I also auditioned the
McCormack active pre-amp (name escapes just now) but found the Classe
better (and costlier). I also tried the Sonic Frontiers SFL-1 or 2
(the cheaper) pre-amp. I just don't like tubes much.
As for cable synergy, this is a wide-open topic. I have tried numerous
speaker cables as well as interconnects. My currently chosen choice as
indicated above represents my vote for synergistic match, although I'm
sure there are others, perhaps even more synergistic.
I keep my system powered-on most of the time, except when I know of
upcoming electrical storms at which time I power-off. Even when it is
continuously powered-on, the system sounds better after a CD or two.
glenn.a...@omail.wang.com
>I am planning a major audio system upgrade. I believe strongly in the
>concept of "doing it right" from the source on out to loudspeakers,
>and am considering the McCormack DNA-1 Deluxe as the power amplifier
>for this reference audio-only system.
>I would be most interested in the experiences of current DNA-1 owners:
>(1) Your opinions of McCormack in backing the product.
>(2) Your opinions on sound quality after any needed break-in time.
>(3) Your opinions on DNA-1 build quality, and any deficiencies noted after
> living with the amp for several months.
>(4) Your opinions on synergistic pre-amplifier and cable combinations.
I recently auditioned a McCormack DNA .5 in my home and compared it
against a Classe' CA100 and a Golden Tube Audio SE-40. The McCormack
did not have the build quality of the Classe', but the Classe' is more
expensive. However, IMO (and in my system) the McCormack was more
musical than the Classe'. The Classe' did appear to have a larger
sound stage but the McCormack had air, a nice top end, midrange and
good bass control. I ended up buying the Golden Tube Audio SE-40 amp
- it 's sound was more lush, more air, great soundstage and terrific
bass control.
My system consists of a Sony ES CD player used as a transport into an
Audio Alchemy DTI & DDE 1.1, a Sonic Frontiers SFL1 pre-amp and Snell
Type E/III speakers; all cables are Monster Cable except an Audio
Alchemy DST between the DTI & DDE.
If the Golden Tube Audio SE-40 hadn't fit into my system, the
McCormack DNA .5 would be there today. regards Glenn
dg...@can02.pge.com
>>I am planning a major audio system upgrade. I believe strongly in the
>>concept of "doing it right" from the source on out to loudspeakers,
>>and am considering the McCormack DNA-1 Deluxe as the power amplifier
>>for this reference audio-only system.
>>I would be most interested in the experiences of current DNA-1 owners:
>>(1) Your opinions of McCormack in backing the product.
>>(2) Your opinions on sound quality after any needed break-in time.
I owned a DNA-1 for several months and was at first very impressed
with the sound quality for the $$. Smooth mids, great, if somewhat
overdone bass, and good imaging and stage. In short, it had most of
the characteristics described by Robert Harley in is Stereophile
review. However, I experienced listening fatigue after 1-2 hrs
listening. I found a certain "bite" to the sound that wasn't
pleasant, at least to my ears. Could be my system, but it's pretty
smooth with a CJ PV-11, older Vandersteen 2Cs and a Magnmum Dynalab
Etude tuner with good antenna (much listening with tuners since SF Bay
area audio is pretty good IMHO. Consequently I sold the amp and
returned to a 10 year old Streets 950 which I've owned for years. I
found it at least as open and the top end smoother than the DNA, but
not as much bass.
>>(3) Your opinions on DNA-1 build quality, and any deficiencies noted after
>> living with the amp for several months.
Build quality excellent.
>>(4) Your opinions on synergistic pre-amplifier and cable combinations.
With this amp and my tube preamp, I was most impressed with Vandenhul
The First carbon interconnects. They made the midrange MAGICAL - very
smooth and liquid.
Happy listening!
Doug