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.
128x128hifiman5
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,279 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
1,015 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

minorl
1,015 posts
 

Correction:  Tube amps are not the way to go when it is too warm.

Sorry,

enjoy

arcticdeth's avatar
arcticdeth
1,549 posts
 
@stereo5

I did for a few months, they didn’t have the power i needed. low to mid volume, amazing, clear, tight, airy, all those 10 dollar words. but mine are older, and break up very quickly at high volumes.

Mccormack ones have never done this, on any speaker i own. they are absofreakinlutelyamazing, to sum it in one word.

backups: sunfire sig 600 - odyssey stratos - 2 mid late 90's yummy receivers (one of which is used to record my LP's to computer to burn to cds.
whitestix
699 posts
 
Great post. I have a DNA .05 Deluxe and it is a killer amp in stock form and have thought about the current upgrades.  I can imagine how fine it would sound with upgrades.  SMC is top notch.  I picked up an Adcom GFA 5400 recently and I really thought it was very musical amp, easy to like.  I am getting a DIY friend to do a major upgrade to it, hopefully with the expectation that is will be a very fine performer.  The DIY crowd has really figured out how to maximize the performance of this 5XXX line of Adcom amps. 

Extra amplifiers in the closet are like "packed power" to a cannoneer.   More is better.   
More to discover