2. amps-preamps
  3. 133720-1973

Amp away for 20 year upgrade...back-up amp to the rescue

I just sent my SMc Audio Revision A+ modified McCormack DNA-1 Deluxe amplifier to SMc for an apparently much needed upgrade.  I bought the amp in 1997, had a Revision B mod done in early 1998 and then the A+ revision done in 2002.  On a whim I decided to call Steve McCormack two days ago to find out what was current with their modifications for the DNA-1.

In the course of a 25 minute chat I learned that virtually none of the mod parts in my amp are part of their current upgrades and that for a reasonable price (approx. $1300) I would get an entirely new motherboard, upgraded soft recovery diodes as well as new output caps., resistors, input and output jacks and wiring scheme.  So away it went today via Fedex.

Out of the closet comes my Musical Concepts modified Adcom GFA-555.  In listening through it right now, I remember how endearing this amp can be as it flatters the music with good ebb and flow and a recessed soundstage so the music never seems to "come at you".  Very enjoyable.  So why own and upgrade my full service amp?  Verisimilitude!!   That you are there or even better, they are here presence to the sound.  The lack of transient attack and air around instruments also belies a sense of realism.  Again, don't get me wrong, I'll be enjoying music for the next month or so that my main amp is getting a spa treatment, but it will be exciting to hear the music back in the room with me and the open soundspace where the music seems here again.
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hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5 OP
1,832 posts
 
@stereo5   Glad you posted here.  How is your cj amp doing?
minorl
1,016 posts
 

A decent back up amp is a must.

I'm glad you have one.  I found that I had way too many pieces of equipment lying around and I sold my second Mark Levinson 23.5 and also my Mark Levinson ML3.  I really didn't want to sell the ML3 at all.  What a great amp and a classic.  But, too much stuff around.

I still have my very modified Bedini 250/250 MK II which I upgraded and modified in discussion with John Bedini a few years before he passed.

A nice, warm amp that works very well.

When one of my Audio Research REF 250 amps had an issue, I had to send both in for repair and I moved my other 23.5 (yes I had two) to power the upper panels on my Monolith III speakers and the Bedini to the woofers.

I could still listen to music and enjoy.

enjoy 

hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5 OP
1,832 posts
 
 @minorl           
 Congrats on owning so much fine gear! Those are some amazing amps in your bullpen.
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,388 posts
 

@hifiman5 

I sold both the Conrad-Johnson MF2550 and the Rogue RP-5 tube preamp and went with a McIntosh C2500 tube preamp and a McIntosh MC152 power amp.  This works much better in my room with the GE Triton References speakers.

minorl
1,016 posts
 

Thanks.  Living in Southern California I found that sometimes it gets so warm that tube amps are the way to go.  Before I bought them (listened to these very amps for two years at Stereo Design in San Diego), I didn't know they were also space heaters.  Great on cool/cold nights, but warm nights, well...

So, sometimes out comes the Bedini.

I have to say, the 23.5 is still one of the best amps I have heard even compared to newer amps.

The Bedini, I modified with separate power supplies, massive capacitors, and upgraded driver and output transistors that are much more linear and better sounding than the originals.  Cardas internal wiring, removed the speaker fuses, upgraded power cord, and a slow start circuit. I also added Threshold like heat sinks and increased the bias.  Wow!  love this amp


enjoy

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