Will deliver all manner of subltety depending on the what the rest of the system brings to the table in a relaxed delivery that is startling

None that can be identified

My adventure in audio which began about a year and a half ago was not complete until I purchased this model:
the DNA Deluxe 2 with Steve McCormack's Rev. A enhancements. According to Steve, it's his finest work.

That said, I had been satisfied with my system: base consisting of Sony SACD 777es, B&W 803 Nautilus, Morrison Elad preamp, Alpha Goertz speaker cable with a Rotel 991 amp and PS Audio P300; aurios MIBs throughout.

When I decided to take the step into the brave beyond and plug down another $4500 for this amp, all I could do was cross my fingers and hope for the best. I didn't really know what to expect. All I was hoping was that I wouldn't be disappointed. The seller, a nice guy in the Boston area wanted to go the Lamm route and thought I would be pleased with the product but until I got it into my living room and heard it for myself....

First listen, McCoy Tyner on SACD - completely blown away by the relaxed presentation with the clarity so sharp. I was very impressed. It's over time however (and a few little system tweaks) that one develops an even greater appreciation for the abilities of this amp.

The Rev. A has a fine ability to resolve details and deliver the presentation as music which is not subtle in its improvement. Even with a secondary set of speakers in my den, Paradigm Reference 20s, the sound is crisp, detailed and ultimately relaxed that you feel just pure joy to revel in the music. (As I write Stanley Jordan - Cornocupia). The amp will also make you feel you are hearing a piece of music for the first time completely unlike hearing detail improvements from another product change.

I attended the CES Show in NYC and I have to say, most of the systems I heard did not impress me compared to my own, which was a bit surprising. It made so very grateful for what I have. And I believe the amp deserves a great deal of credit. It does have a silky tube like quality but you'll never have to pull the "tube" out.

This amp is a masterpiece And whatever happened to my seller up north. I contacted him and he did not seem very pleased with the results of his Lamm experiment.

If you should ever have an opportunity to get this unit, (upgrade it through Steve by all means) you will have found such a great bargain for the money. That's right I said it. Thousands on an amp and worth it. Just send it to Steve and you won't regret it.

This ain't a product; it's art. Trust your ears and you tell me. I'm still blown away right now as I listen to Renaissance by Branford Marsalis.

Similar Products Used:

Rotel 991, various receivers

I really don't have much more to say than all the other raves below except that this is one of the best solid state amplifiers you can buy regardless of price. It is too bad that the previous reviewer rated it a four star even though he said that it was the only solid state amplifier he could even listen to and bragged about its performance even though he is a tube lover. I guess it is because he had problems with his that he gave it four stars instead of five. I've had mine for over a year and not one hickup. I think it is the nature of the beast for any highend product to have an initial problem from time to time. Anyway, I would highly recommend auditioning this amplifier. It is a real sleeper and for the life of me I can't understand why it hasn't gotten reviewed more than the one time by IAR newsletter. I really think the Conrad Johnson, company that bought McCormack, might not want to advertise this amp over thier Conrad Johnson line due to how good this amp is.