McCormack DNA with Schiit Preamp?


Hi - I have a McCormack DNA-1 deluxe amp and looking for a good preamp match. Very hard to find a McCormack RLD or similar but in reading on this forum, it appears having a good line drive step attenuator volume is key with this amp. So I was looking at the Schiit Audio Saga or Saga+ as it boasts a very accurate stepped attenuator. Plus you can use with it in either passive or active with the one tube engaged or not. 

Anyone tried this setup, or if not, could recommend a line stage preamp for my DNA?  Thanks in advance 
kansas400
Very hard to find a McCormack RLD
I have one and it is available.

Contact me is you want to discuss further
I used a Saga + for a while with my DNA .5.  A good (cheap) intro into SS amp/tube pre combo.  Sounded good, adding just a bit of holographic imaging and lushness.  But I found it just didn't have enough oomph with the one tube.  Was considering a Freya but jumped on a Rogue Perseus.  Easily a step up from the Saga and well worth the price I paid used.  Plenty of gain and a nice full bodied sound. 

Depending on what you listen to and how loud you might just want to skip the Saga and go for something better if budget allows.  I hope to be moving up the food chain myself to a next level tube pre at some point.      
Linear Tube Audio MZ2 preferably with upgraded linear power supply would likely sound fantastic with your DNA.  Best of luck. 
Bite the bullet and get a Schiit Freya +...possibly the best bargain in audio...I've owned the original version for years and it sounds utterly transparent, very low noise floor (virtually undetectable), has more stuff to play with than any other preamp I know of (3 modes of operation, including a new feature that simply turns the tubes off if need be), and costs less that my wires. 
Do you want a preamp or passive line stage? I ran a Reference Line Preeminence One passive linestage for years with my DNA-1, and it was great. Straight wire, no gain. I didn’t need a phono stage and used the DAC in my old CD player. I decided I wanted gain and now have a preamp/DAC w/headphone stage (Audio Alchemy DDP-1) which I like.

If I wanted a passive stage again, I would probably get a Tortuga. Well-reviewed. https://tortugaaudio.com/product-category/passive-preamps/

Or, an LTA MZ3 preamp ... great headphone stage too, and tube magic.
https://www.lineartubeaudio.com/preamplifiers
I owned a DNA-1 with revision B and the best sounding tube preamp was the VTL 2.5 preamp and I have tried several others that were considered very good. My wife commented that this was the magic combination and the best sound yet. A few years back I sold both pieces and have not had that level of sound quality yet.
The input impedance and gain of the DNA-1 lends itself to being compatible with passive devices. I had one years ago and it sounded great with a Pass Aleph L preamp.

Oz



In my basement workout system I have a Schiit Freya S driving a McCormack DNA.5 Rev C driving restored, re-capped, re-wired Large Advents. The sound is pretty amazing considering the vintage speakers. Tight forceful bass, wide soundstage. No soundstage depth or imaging to speak of but that is a function of the loudspeakers too. 
What are your sources? Since the Saga has unity gain it may not work well with typical phono stage output. Input sensitivity is only 1.2V on the DNA which is the same as my power amp. I’ve been pretty happy using a Saga+, but digital sources usually output 2V so I don’t need any gain. Output impedance is so low it shouldn’t be a problem with any amp. The single tube also makes it a lot cheaper if you want to tube roll without fussing about matching. 15 day return policy means it isn’t much of a risk if you decide you want to move up to the Freya. Roll the dice.