McCormack Amp Upgrades

A great example of the improvements that I can give is on Dave Brubecks "Time Out", while Dave is playing the piano, as the hammer is striking the strings, with the stock equipment it sounds as if there is a layers of felt on the hammers and with each upgrade a layer of that felt is removed, making the notes sound more real and less like a reproduction.

That's an interesting claim.
Because the piano hammers do have a layer of felt. If the upgraded amps "removed" this layer of felt, this would make the stock amps more accurate now, wouldn't it.

This is precisely the reason I sold the modded SMc amp. It was not natural sounding, was colored, inacurate and caused listener fatigue. The big improvement over the stock amp was the improved soundstage size. Tonality was not as accurate as it was with the stock amplifier.

Thank you everyone for your responses. I hooked up the DNA-1 for the first time (just got it yesterday) and am floored by the amount of power, clarity and finesse. I think I could live with it as is and not be disappointed. I'm waiting to hear back from SMC to see what they recommend as a "cost effective" upgrade for this amp. In the meantime, I'll be enjoying it just the way it is. I'm using the Cary AES AE-3 DJH tube preamp. I agree that a tube preamp is a great match to this solid state amp. I may or may not go for an upgrade. It all boils down to degrees of improvement. Since I can't borrow an upgraded amp from anywhere I just have to go with people's experiences with upgraded DNA-1's. I also will ask SMC if the upgraded DNA-1 is better than the stock DNA-225. If not, then maybe it's best to use this one for a while, sell it and buy a DNA-225. Anyone have a chance to directly compare an upgraded DNA-1 to the DNA-225?

Audphile1
Thank you, I've learned something new today, I did not know that about the hammers on a piano, I guess I and will have to go back and see what it is that my system is presenting to me then. I'm new to the high end of audio and still learning the terminology, so this is whats meant by Tonality? I can see your point about the upgrades possibly causing listener fatigue especially if the speakers your hooking them to are very revealing to start with. A very revealing amplifier with a very revealing speaker might be very very revealing. I guess this is what they call system synergy that comes with system matching? Still so much to learn. But like I said the upgrades make "the notes sound more real and less like a reproduction" in my system. So with that said.

Tube540
If you live within about 3 hours of Philadelphia and are willing, I would be more than willing to bring my pair of McCormack Dlx Golds to you place so that you can experience the upgrades and determine for yourself if they will be a good match in your system. And maybe learn something more about this system matching stuff for myself.

Tube540, if you are planning on doing a full-blown upgrade to the DNA-1, then it will probably total you to about the cost of a used DNA-500, in which case I suggest you opt for the 500. If you want to do the minimalist revision, it's up to you. But spending over $2000 + shipping back and forth on this amplifier makes very little sense to me.
Again, it is completely up to you to decide. but if I were you, I'd jump on the used modded amp if it comes up here(they do, just keep your eyes open), or a used DNA-500. To me this is a much smarter purchase.

But, who can tell you how to spend your money?

I currently own a DNA-1 with Revision A mods. It replaced my DNA-125, the rest of my system remained constant during the transition, UDP-1 Deluxe, MAP-1 and Harbeth M30s. So I can provide some perspective on the two units (although I wish I had compared to the DNA-225).

The DNA-125 is an excellent power amp at a given price point. A unit can be picked up for $950-1100 used on A-gon. My only slight criticism, it was a little on the "cool" side in terms of the music presentation. The DNA-1 Rev. is considerably different. Firstly, a lot warmer, bigger sound stage and better lower end & definition. The warmer sound was a good mate with my neutral & revealing Harbeths. Also, I was very much surprised (in a pleasant sense) when comparing the two power amps. I was also wrong, expecting the two units of different generations and design executions to sound a lot closer. A DNA-1 Rev A occasionally appears on A-gon, in the similar price range to a DNA-225 ($1600-1800).

Audphile1 suggested a Pass lab X250.5 - in this price range ($3500 - 3800used ), you may consider a head-to-head comparison with the DNA-500. Both are similarly priced (retail or used) and I think a more valid comparison. Once again, Steve McCormack may be in a better position to describe the sonic virtues of a fully modded DNA-225 v. the DNA-500 (I can't).

anyway, that was my experience. I hope it helps somewhat.

Good luck in your decision.