McCormack DNA-1 or DNA-1 deluxe?

McCormack does offer modifications via SMcAudio. VERY significant improvement and well worth the $, but your most economical way to go over the long run is to get one modified already. SMc is Steve McCormack's side venture and is truely an exemplary supporter of his products. Give them a call and you will get the straight poop. Or check back to your thread in a day or 2, he will often respond here.

The deluxe version has some parts upgrades to the input stage ect. The LATER versions of the The stock Dna-1 has the upgraded parts as stock from what i understand from what steve said.
Id spend the extra 100 and get the deluxe.
If go to the smc wedsite i think there is some great reading there

Yes there is enough difference between the DNA-1 & DNA-1 Deluxe to warrant spending the extra $150.00-$200.00. If you decide to upgrade to revision B it will cost you $500.00 less if you have the Deluxe DNA-1.

I can certainly echo Phd on this from my own experience. Having had a DNA-1 originally, then replacing it, successively, with two different competing amps, before going back to a DNA-1 Deluxe (rest of system was static throughout). To my ears, the Deluxe was clearly an improvement and has clearly reflected any subsequent change to my system. Best of all, it has always made beautiful music. I recently took the fuses out (had it a number of years), cleaned the corrosion off of them and the fuse holder contact points and had an instant and really dramatic "amplifier upgrade" (-:. Good Luck With Your Choice!