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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
patrickdowns's avatar
patrickdowns
530 posts
 
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
phd
1,332 posts
 
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.
ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,420 posts
 
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



fsonicsmith's avatar
fsonicsmith
987 posts
 
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. 
nordicnorm
313 posts
 
Check out ‘The Truth’ linestage:
https://cheaptubeaudio.blogspot.com/2020/05/the-truth-line-stage-active-buffer-
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