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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
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.
sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 
I want to thank everyone who responded. I have read other threads about the quality of the REV A version of McCormack Deluxe 0.5 amp. So I will keep looking for one on AG or get one modded to that level, if i can afford it.

NOTE: I am sorry about thanking everyone later. I must embarassingly confess, I fell out of bed last week, and was knocked out cold. When I came out of the fog in the emergency room of a local hospital, I felt more embarassed than scared. After some X-rays and blood work, I was discharged. I decided to lay off the computer for a few days, and not think about audio. Instead, I did somehing old-fashioned, and read a few good books. At first, I thought the fall had reordered my priorities, but thankfully only served to rekindle other lost interests. Nevertheless, I am grateful to be back on AG, and never forgot how the membership always steps up to offer useful advice, recommendations and comments. Better friends and colleagues would be very hard to find. Jim
river251
154 posts
 
Jim, this thread may be old, and you may have long passed this issue. But, I am a neuroscientist and a psychologist and long-time audiophile and musician.

The likelihood that your system is changing its sound from time to time, unless there is some factor you are not telling us, is really remote. The probability that you will perceive the sound differently from time to time is large, for a plethora of reasons.

If you are ever able to accept that fact, then perhaps you can stop being unhappy with your system.
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