Having read the various posts here, I felt I should weigh-in with a few comments of my own. First of all, the whole point of McCormack Audio is performance *value,* while my personal goals with SMc Audio are oriented more toward absolute performance, with somewhat less regard for cost ;-) If McCormack Audio were to implement the sort of things I am doing in my upgrades, the products would be entirely different, and several times more expensive.
As a designer and audiophile, SMc Audio is an important outlet for me because it allows me to pursue my dreams and create product solutions that are purely performance driven. Its a lot of fun, I get to express my audio creativity in some very cool products, and I get to deal with you folks directly, which I also enjoy.
To say that this is a subjective business is something of an understatement. There is no best amplifier that everyone will agree on, but I think it is important to understand that my Revision A upgrades and the new Platinum and Gold Edition amplifiers will get you into the best territory for a lot less money than you might spend otherwise. It may seem odd to invest as much (or more) in an upgrade as the amp cost originally, but that is what it takes to deliver the best combination of parts, attention to detail, and hand craftsmanship I have to offer. And for those who are fundamentally happy with these amps to begin with, this may truly be the best and most cost-effective path to state-of-the-art performance.
Finally, please understand that hearing the stock McCormack amps really doesnt prepare you for what the fully upgraded versions are capable of. You have no idea how many times I have heard the phrase, How much better can it get? only to hear the same person ultimately reply, Wow! I had no idea you could make *that* kind of improvement!
Thanks to all for your interest, and please contact me if you have questions.
Best regards,
Steve McCormack
www.SMcAudio.com
As a designer and audiophile, SMc Audio is an important outlet for me because it allows me to pursue my dreams and create product solutions that are purely performance driven. Its a lot of fun, I get to express my audio creativity in some very cool products, and I get to deal with you folks directly, which I also enjoy.
To say that this is a subjective business is something of an understatement. There is no best amplifier that everyone will agree on, but I think it is important to understand that my Revision A upgrades and the new Platinum and Gold Edition amplifiers will get you into the best territory for a lot less money than you might spend otherwise. It may seem odd to invest as much (or more) in an upgrade as the amp cost originally, but that is what it takes to deliver the best combination of parts, attention to detail, and hand craftsmanship I have to offer. And for those who are fundamentally happy with these amps to begin with, this may truly be the best and most cost-effective path to state-of-the-art performance.
Finally, please understand that hearing the stock McCormack amps really doesnt prepare you for what the fully upgraded versions are capable of. You have no idea how many times I have heard the phrase, How much better can it get? only to hear the same person ultimately reply, Wow! I had no idea you could make *that* kind of improvement!
Thanks to all for your interest, and please contact me if you have questions.
Best regards,
Steve McCormack
www.SMcAudio.com