Upgraded McCormack DNA-1 or Dennis Had Inspire SEP?


It’s make or break time. I need to make a decision about which direction I need to take regarding my next amplifier. I’m coming from a Jolida Fusion 3502P that I’ve spent the last year searching for the best tube combinations.

Do I keep the McCormack DNA-1 I just bought and save up to have it upgraded, or do I sell it and buy a new Insipre amp from Mr. Had? 

I have a pair of Klipsch Cornwalls, Better Cables silver serpent interconnects, high quality copper speaker cables, and I’m feeding them with a Marantz preamp, through which I feed almost all my music via Amazon/Heos.

Discuss. 

Thanks in advance.

jsbw

@gwng8 Sorry, just noticed you replied here. He was super passive aggressive about me getting back on. I went ahead and paid the fee because Dennis actively monitors the thread and answers questions sometimes via one of the posters. Hope you're enjoying the amp! I continue to be amazed and have made some more tube discoveries at the expense of my budget lol. 

Update: 

 

after a bit of tube rolling, I’ve settled on two sets of tubes, and left it at that. When I feel the itch to switch, I simply change one for the other.

haven’t missed the McCormack at all.

But now I’m developing an obsession with low-powered Nelson Pass designs… :)

@jsbw "after a bit of tube rolling"...

 

Nah, really? 🤣 That was my only frustration with my prior Inspire and a pile of sets of different tubes leftover. i.e. With my tube dac, along came a list of tubes and rankings with helpful listening reviews of each to decide which ocean to go fish. DH and his loyal followers could help a little more with a similar list to save folks some money and mystery. It's all speaker-dependent with that amp with little margin for error. An upgraded McCormick would be nice to have around and rotate in once in a while, imo. Enjoy, happy listening!