McCormack DNA 125


Hi, I am about to get a McCormack DNA 125 amp in stock form. I have heard different bias on modding this model. Right now I have a BK ST2140 powering a pair of Paradigm Mini Monitor v3. What is your opinion on this amp? Thanks

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@soix Synergy was the first aspect I talked about it just didn’t make to the snippet you used here. But regardless…
Think about this…the stock 0.5, 125 and 225 sounded amazing, the X250.5 fit right in. However the modded 225 didn’t gel with the rest of my gear, my room and my ears. You can definitely stick to your guns and call the smc mods an improvement.
I call the modded amp colored, no longer neutral, and with a hump in the presence region that was very fatiguing. It didn’t show anymore of the character of my speakers or any other component. There’s no reason to screw around with a perfectly seasoned dish. But that’s what those mods did. 
There may be systems and listeners that can benefit from this type of sonic change, without a doubt.


I still consider DNA-225 in its stock form to be one the best amps I ever owned though. Totally loved it. 
 

 

@bigkidz  Following this thread because I have a DNA-1 amp and thinking of doing the SMC update.  Is this something you’ve done or are familiar with?  I’m also in Jersey.  Thanks.

My DNA-1 is my go to amp and still sounds great.  That said, it’s older than my adult sons so probably time to swap out caps and new board. Toying with the idea of going with something new but good to hear others have had good experience with SMC.

@nymarty - Very familiar with.  Swap out power supply capacitors, upgrade resistors to higher values is also a good idea.  You can also try V-Caps and I can let you hear amps that have them.   

@bigkidz Thanks.  Is this something that you do for people -- recapping and upgrading amps?   If yes, are you associated with SMC in any way?  Sorry if I'm reading this wrong and you just have experience getting amps serviced/upgraded at SMC.  It looked like in your first post that you were offering help to highend62, the original poster.