McCormack DNA .5? Do I need more power?

Hi Koestner

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience with the DNA .5. I'm hoping to get a DNA .5 soon and see how the little guy does with my KEFs. I had a DNA 1 Deluxe before with the KEF 104/2s and I liked the sound was really revealing but it may have been too much power for the speakers.

Koestner, you are correct sir, there is a limit to what even the McCormack DNA 0.5 can do. Seven years ago on my above post (wow where did the time go?) I was using very efficient speakers that had a sensitvity of 102 db. It was no wonder I thought the 0.5 might have unlimited power reserves. Your Maggies are much more difficult to drive as you mentioned. I could see how ice power did the job nicely. If you or anyone else on this thread sends me an email, I will send an interior picture of analog amps that can drive any speaker regardless of its efficiency rating to high volumes without clipping!

I tried my old McCormack DNA.5 on a set of Maggie 3.5's. It sounded good, with a tighter bass than the ARC gear in the showroom. But it didn't have that tube bloom that the ARC provided and made the Maggie's sound magical. Of course the bass was plummy with the ARC gear, so that was a non starter for me also.

I've since upgraded to a DNA500 and will never lack for power, or finesse, again.

Jedinite24
"Anyone ever use a McCormack DNA .5 stock or Deluxe to power a pair of KEF 104/2 speakers?"

You might want to try contacting Bside123, I think he has that combination and likes the way they work together.

Hi: Yes, I really like the McCormack DNA 0.5 / KEF 104.2 combo. I've owned 3 pairs of 104s over the years. I really love that speaker. Even after I moved on to other speakers, whenever I've run into a good deal (deal that cannot be refused) on a set of KEF 104.2s, I've bought them.

I am also a fan of the DNA series of McCormack amps... particularly the 0.5. I've also owned several iterations of these over the years. Currently, I am using McCormack Mono Blocks that started out and .5's as well as I am using a DNA 0.5 Ultra Platinum Upgrade in another system.

I think that you'll find the DNA 0.5 is more than adequate to run the KEFs. As a matter of fact, I found it superb. Consequently, I sold my last pair of 104s to a nephew, who is driving them with a 0.5 Deluxe!

I am still a lover of the KEF 104.2s, but currently I am using Dunlavy towers. I also use a set of stand mounted Acoustic Zen Adagio Jr speakers, which in exception for a ribbon tweeter, are not too dissimilar to the 104.2s in their conception and design configuration.

Hope this helps.