@soix I saw this quote from Steve...
the only DNA amp we've had trouble with is the DNA-1, and ONLY the DNA-1. This is because of age-related problems with the main circuit board, and ONLY that board.
Don’t buy used McCormack DNA 1990s amps
This is a public service announcement. There are some yahoos on other sites selling 1990s McCormack DNA amps, sometimes at ridiculous prices. While they’re great amps, and I happily owned a DNA 0.5 RevA for 20 years, they’re all gonna fatally fail. Why? Because their input board is at the end of its useful life, and when it fails your amp is dead and not repairable by anyone — not even SMcAudio. It’s a boat anchor. The only option is to sell it for scraps or get an SMcAudio upgrade that’ll cost around $2000. Given my love of my amp I chose to do full upgrades given what else I could’ve gotten for the same same price and just got it back and will forward thoughts if anyone cares. But the purpose of this post is to warn off any prospective buyers of a circa 1990s DNA amp that it’ll fatally fail soon, so unless you get a great price and plan on doing the SMcAudio upgrades just avoid these amps on the used market. You’ve been warned.
- ...
- 167 posts total
@gdaddy1 Like I said I kind of remember Steve reversing that statement, but I’m not gonna go search for it. It’s a serious issue so you should just call them. |
I’ve got 5k in my DNA 0.5 and I can say it was money well spent. I’m not sure what SS amp you could find in that price range that could beat it. Mine has the magnetic circuit breaker type switch @soix mentioned, but most of the time it’s left on. |
@ozzy62 Same. It came down to doing full upgrades (with Gravity Base) for around $2500 for what’s basically a new and much better amp than I had or find something else for around $3k and risk I wouldn’t like it as much. I’m happy and likely have my forever amp. Nice system BTW. Love the combo of the Sachs with the 0.5 — that must be one sweet pairing. I lust after putting a Spatial Raven in front of my 0.5 some day. Never ends. |
- 167 posts total