McCormack REV B upgrades. Better than a new amp?

Agree w Soix that Rev A+/Platinum is the way to go.

Oh, forgot to answer your question about reliability. I'm the third owner of my 0.5 Rev. A and have had it for 14 years with fairly heavy use. The only thing I've had to do is replace a fuse, and as far as I can tell the amp sounds the same as it did the day I got it. Steve's also great about support if ever needed.

This is a little OT, as the only McCormack amp I ever had was a stock 0.5. Very nice sounding amp "as is" IMO.

Here's the thing: that DNA 0.5 I bought used arrived with a lot of damage, as the seller had used ridiculously poor packing. The whole case was "curved". I figured it was DOA, but hooked it up, & it not only worked, but sounded great (!). I sent it back, but I'm looking for another......

I had a DNA .5 delux and wish I still had it. I bet the Rev A and B are great sounding.

Thank you to all memebers who responded so far to this thread. There was a REV B DNA .05 for sale weeks ago, but I passed on it because I was making other upgrades to the system, and the seller would not budge on price It was modded in 2004.

However, it could be a long, long, wait for a REV A DNA.05 to surface on AG, and I am getting too old to play the kid looking in the candy shop window at Christmas. Also, it will probably be about $1800. which..seems like alot of money for a 100RMS amp

The other important issue is HOW MUCH BETTER can/or will REV A DNA-.05, or REV A DNA-1. sound. We all have a level of higher expectation, especially if he have owned more than one expensive SS amps, like a Pass, Boulder, Krell, BAT, Levinson. Personally, I have not. I had an Aragon 4004 MK II which in 1988 retailed for $1800, and I bought for $950 on a salesman's accomodation. It was a very good to almost great amp, though somewhat bright.

So what is the criterion of improvement, that gets one to say..." WOW, this is a spectacular sounding amp, better than any amp I ever owned or heard". The big gun brand names I mentioned above are at least 10 to 15 times more expensive than REV A+ Gold McCormack.

I currently have a pair of Red Dragon M-500 digital mono blocks(driving Acoustic Zen Adagios) which are remarkable for the money I paid. Yet, like other members, I am always curious about pushing the performance envelope a bulge or two more. No, the $27,000 Boulder or Levinson is not in my budget range or insanity border.

However, I like to hear what other members consider the basis of the WOW factor in amplifier performance. Thanks again, Jim