Much better music presentation than other amps that I have listen to

It doesn't come in black

This Amp kicks ass! I was using a B&K ST1400 with newly purchase B&W N805, I thought they sounded great but there was something missing. After talking with a few friends I decide to demo and possibly purchase a new amp. At 1st I did not think that a power amplifier would make that much of a difference in my system. I can't afford to get Levinson amps so my search narrows down to Aragon, Bryston and Classe. I demo an Aragon 8008ST which was rated very high on Stereophile magazine and was very disappointed. The Aragon sounded much like my B&K but maybe with better bottom end. With this disappointment it further confirm my thoughts that amplifier do not make that big of a difference. Talking to another dealer, they convince me to demo one of their McCormack DNA1 amp. The rest is history! My speakers have never been the same, it seems like a cardboard box have been remove from my speakers and the music was right there in front of me. I am sold on this amp and looking to have SMCAudio upgrade it to rev A. I can't imagine it sounding better but I have been wrong before.

Similar Products Used:

B&K and Aragon amplifier

Excellent price to performance ratio. Lots of power in reserve for inefficient speakers.

Too many upgrades to consider.

Most of the reviews are on the mark about this product. The short version? This is one sweet amplifier for the money and the upgrades from SMc Audio (www.smcaudio.com) can improve it even more. The DNA-1 is a must consideration for the enthusiast on a budget and in need of a powerful amp. It's a champ in its class.

Related equipment:
Amp: McCormack DNA-1 (with SMc Audio Rev. B upgrade)
Preamp: Sonic Frontiers Line 1
Source: CAL Alpha DAC/Delta transport
Speakers: Hales Design Group Revelation 3
Interconnects: HT Pro-Silway MK II
Power cords: BMI Majiks
Digital cable: Illuminati D-60
Speaker cables: Analysis Plus Oval Nines, cords

Similar Products Used:

Classe, Bryston, Adcom, Denon, others.

Superb bass dynamics and sound staging with B&W 803 Series II. If I had to do it over again, I would probably go with the less expensive DNA 0.5.

Clarity, imaging, balanced presentation

None

The DNA-1 (not Deluxe) was purchased because it was clear my old Audiolab was struggling to find enough current for the speakers. The full system is as follows:

CD: Marantz CD 63 MkII KI-S
Pre-amp: Audiolab 8000A (Mk II)
Amp: McCormack DNA-1
Speakers: Monitor Audio Studio 10 (Mk II) on Atacama stands
+ JM Lab Cobalt 27 active subwoofer
Cables: Audioquest Quartz (CD to pre)
VdH D102 MkIII Hybrid (pre to power)
VdH CS122 Hybrid (speaker)

The subwoofer is powered from the main speaker outputs of the Audiolab.

The DNA-1 is simply astounding. Even my 10-year old son noticed the difference. He used to run away when I played Jamiroquai; now he dances between the speakers (I'm biased but I think he's better than the guy in the band).

Compared with the Audiolab alone, I can say the following: Vocals, a previous weak point, are clearly audible and better balanced. Bass which used to boom now plays tunes - for example, "Vibe" by Steps Ahead has three different bass players, whose different techniques were previously indistinguishable. Classical music (previously quite murky and never very involving) has individual instruments that don't move around in space, or pop in and out of existence when the score gets complicated. Dynamics are such that I initially feared for the mid/bass drivers, but they actually seem to move less than with the Audiolab alone (more current = better control, maybe).

The DNA-1 was recommended by a good friend with a Krell FPB-600 and two AR tube amps, triamping some enormous B&W 800 speakers. He gave my modest system a thorough test and declared that it passed with a "very good" rating. He also stated that, to his surprise, the Audiolab is a perfect match as a pre-amp (lucky, as all the upgrade budget went on the DNA-1). The only recommendation he had was to try a second run of solid-core speaker cable to the tweeters, to open out the soundstage a bit more, and maybe a change of CD source at some point in the future. To top it off, he is now seriously considering selling his Krell/AR amplification and replacing it with McCormack equipment!

If you haven't heard the DNA-1, you should. If you have, the only difficulty you'll face is explaining to your wife why you spent around $2000 on this grey box instead of taking her to Venice for a holiday...

Similar Products Used:

Meridian 105 monoblocks (years ago)

Transparency, tonal balance, soundstage, etc., build quality

Not made anymore

Just wanted to chime in about this great amp. This refers to the SMc Audio Revision A upgrade version (check out smcaudio.com). I haven't heard a stock unit.

I've only had it for two days, but I've been auditioning a new DNA-125 for the past two weeks (still have it for the moment). While the 125 is a fine amp, IMO the Rev A DNA-1 is even better. The 125 is warm in the mids and bass, which obscures a lot of the top end (It may just be rolled off a little on top, too). The 1A is more transparent from top to bottom, with a great, extended grain free top end. It may sound bright to some, but for me, when it's this clean, I want it there. Details are popping out of recordings I've been listening to for years. Bass is authoritative, and mids are great. Some may think slightly dry, but that's probably just because of the direct comparison to the 125's warmth. Highly recommended.

The downside is that these aren't in production anymore. But, if you can't find an already upgraded unit, then you might be able to get a stock unit, and send it to SMc in California for the upgrades.

A note on Steve McCormack's great personal service. Yesterday when I got the unit and tried it out, I didn't like it. I called SMc, and Steve answered. I told him the deal, and described the problem (bloated, thick, slow). He said "Hmm, sounds like the biasing is out of adjustment." I thought, man I just got this thing, and now I'll have to ship it to California. Then he goes, "Got a voltmeter?" He talked me through the adjustment right over the phone. Outstanding.

System:

DNA-1A amp
McCormack RLD-1 preamp (great unit, but long burn in period)
Michell Gyro/OL300/Dynavector DV20X
Monolithic Sound PS-1/HC1 phonostage
Denon DCD-1015 CD
PSB Stratus Gold i speakers
Monster 1.4 biwire
Audioquest interconnects

Similar Products Used:

McCormack DNA-125, Acurus A150, Adcom GFA-5500, AVA FetValve

fast, good mid range, clean sound

Not the greatest with some speakers

Seriously considered this amp, had a store demo home for a week. Can't say anything negative about it but, just didn't jive with my Martin Logans (sound stage seemed weak) , however sounded nice (tad on the warm side) with my Paradigm 80s. In the end I went with the Bryston, more detail and better lower end.

Similar Products Used:

Bryston, Classe, SF

Power, sound.

Build quality, flimsy parts.

After owning and listening to this amplifier for a pretty long time I think it is a great bang for the buck amp. The build quality and parts however aren't so great, just pop the top and look inside and you won't see much. I've never had a problem with this amp personally but a friend of mine has, many times. Sound wise it is great, everything is there the whole 9 yards, but to compare it with other amps in the same price range and lower it's just not good enough. Particularly the Anthem Amp2 it's $200 cheaper but yet sounds much fuller and more detailed not as much bass but there is much more power, and the build quality is second to none. There are amps however (higher priced, sadly to say) that this amp will beat the hell out of, certain ones from Krell and Proceed to name a few. If you want to concider this amp by all means do, just check out others while you're at it

Similar Products Used:

Too many to list.

Excellent Bass,Midrange purity, Excellent high frequenciesNeither soft or zippy.

Just a little soft in the lowest bass.

I bought this amp three years ago used and have been very happy with its performance. Whan I first got it I was driving a pair of Martin Logan CLS2's and it did a fine job but it does not have enough current to drive then to high levels. I have since switched to JMlabs Electra 915 speakers and this amp really sings. It is so clean and open from top to bottom it is scarry. I recently switched speaker cables from Monster 2.2s to Siltech LS80G3 Biwire ans amazing things happened. The high ferquencies are even more open and airy. The bass that was a bit flabby with the Monster is tight and very controled. and the mids are sweet and smooth with bite in the right places. You can hear the reeds vibrating in the saxophones and hear the players breath coming out. Drums have slam like I have only heard from Krell before. And this is a standard DNA1. I can't wait to see what happens when I send it back to Smac audio for the rev A mod. My system is.
Mc Cormack DNA1 amp
B+K 4420 sub amp
Conrad Johnson PFR Pre Amp
Conrad Johnson EF1 phono stage
Teac VRDS 10 Used as transport only
Adcom GDA600 D/A converter
VPI HW19mk IV turntable with Grado Reference cartridge
Teac X1000rbl reel to reel
JMlabs Electra 915 speakers
Kinergetic Reacearch Sw800 sub system with crossover
Straightwire MaestroII interconnects DA to Pre,Pre to crossover,DVD to Pre.
Goertz Micro purl silver Crossover to main and sub amps, And Phono stage to Pre.
Siltech LS80G3 speaker cable to JMlabs electra 915'
Monster Sigma speaker cable to the subs

Similar Products Used:

Denon poa4400,b+k Ex4420,