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Mccormack DNA-1 deluxe vs PASS X150.5 amps??

Though, this question maybe a "no brainer" I would like some input from members who have owned a McCormack DNA-1 Deluxe and/or a PASS 150.5 amp. There is about a $1500 difference in the selling price between these "used" units. The McCormack DNA-1 Deluxe was the "upgraded" model issued in 1998 (and followed by several numbered amps after) that so the design is old and the "particular unit" on sale could maybe at least 10 years old. THe PASS is current and look almost mint.

I have read some excellent reviews about this model McCormack....but also about the PASS X-150.5. As always it is a question of money vs performance. I have a pair of Acoustic Zen Adagios and a Bel Canto Pre-3 pre-amp and a pair of Red Dragon M-250 digital monoblocks. Sounds nice, but also not consistently coherent or qualitatively the SAME at each listening session.(BTW, I have done as much as possible to correct some of the acoustic aberrations in my room)

Overall, the sound lacks musicality and can lean to the bright side I realize musicality can't be quantified nor is there any tweeks to magically produce it, and so it is one of those allusive qualities we seemed to all chase from time to time.....I am not going to start unraveling what I put together recently to get it. If the amp does not solve the problem, then I am going to just quit audio and sell the entire rig.

Is there is a amplifier of 100-150RMS that would possibly be an excellent alternative between the McCormack and the PASS??? I prefer not to attempt tubes because I have a FM transmission tower nearby. Thanks again, Jim
sunnyjim
ig316b
104 posts
 
The DNA-0.5 is a lot more powerful than the 100 RMS would lead you to believe, unless you are trying to fill a large room with sound, your 89 db rated Adagios should work well with the McCormack.

Do some research here and on the web and you will see the McCormack's are some very well backed product's. Conrad Johnson now offers upgrades to the DNA amps as well as SMc Audio which is owned by Steve McCormack the original designer of the amps.

If your in a real hurry for a Deluxe there's one on Canuck Audio Mart for sale.
brownsfan
1,508 posts
 
I've owned both dna 0.5 deluxe and dna 1.0 monoblocks. If your system leans toward the bright side, the 0.5's might be better. It worked pretty well with my magnepan 1.6's. I would say the 1.0's are more resolving, a little more to the cool side. I would have said it is not grainy at all. If you are on the bight side, maybe you should think about a cary ss amp. There is a cad 200 for sale now that you might want to think about. I have CAD 500 mb's now and love them. Nice warm sweet sound.
ptmconsulting
1,000 posts
 
I had a DNA .5 Deluxe, then modded it up to near Rev A status. Please, please ... if you are going to buy a McCormack amp get one on the used market that is already modded to Rev A or Platinum levels, or expect to have it done afterwards and consider that into your costs. Once modded these amps are close to state of the art in terms of sound.

I now have a DNA 500 to drive my power sucking Apogees.
jedinite24's avatar
jedinite24
1,503 posts
 
Hi Sunnyjim

I agree with the posts above again. The DNA .5 Deluxe definitely has more power than stated and could power your speakers with no issue. I would wait also on a better price than what is out there on A'gon right now. If you wait you a deal on DNA .5 Deluxe amps or SMc modified one will pop up. You just have to check back often. It has happened to me a couple of times in general. Good Luck
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
Sunnyjim- I've owned the DNA 1 and 0.5, and no question to my ears that the 0.5 is a smoother amp than the 1.0. The impedence and phase angle vs. frequency curve shown here indicates that the Adagio should be an easy speaker for most any SS amp to drive so unless your room is v. big, or you want live level symphonic music, I would imagine the o.5 would have enough power. McCormack was sold to CJ, but I believe Steve McCormack is still involved and he is usually very accessible through this site or thru his other venture, SMcAudio which does mods on the DNA amps and also has a v. high end pre (and amp?) on the market. Call them and talk to Steve or Chris, his chief technician. They are very forthright in their asssessment of an amp/speaker interaction and their mods do bring the DNAs to near SOTA performance. I've never actually spent any quality time listening to Pass amps, so I can't compare, but IMO, you'd be hard pressed to go wring if you jump on the first "A" or higher level 0.5 mod you can find, but Steve may say otherwise. I would definitely talk to him, or buy 'em both and make the ultimate test. Both have great re-sale value.
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