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Upgrade Hafler 9500 or Mccormack DNA-1 for Thiels

Hi All,
This is kind of a long shot to ask about, but I am always delighted at the depth of experience of Agon members, so here goes. I already own a nice Hafler 9500 and have coming in the mail a McCormack DNA-1. I am using the Hafler in my secondary system with an ARC SP-14 pre and Thiel 3.5 speakers. The sound is very good, but not nearly as good as my primary system which has Thiel 2.4s, a John Soderberg modified Threshold FET 9 pre and a C-J 2300A amp.
I would like to get the 3.5s sounding even better and am wondering which amp to upgrade. I have read glowing reviews of both John Hellig modified Haflers and Steve McCormack upgraded DNA-1s. The upper tier upgrades of the DNA-1 run about $1800 Vs. about $1000 for the Hafler so that is a factor, but the main issues are long term reliability and sound.
The guru I am hoping reads this would have heard both and would also be able to comment on how each would sound compared to the C-J which is the best amp I have heard with either the 3.5s or 2.4 Thiels.
Yes I know I could sell the 9500 and DNA-1 and buy another C-J but it would be more interesting to go the upgrade route. Looking forward to your input and thanks in advance!
drjay
stevemcx
166 posts
 
Bdgregory makes an extremely good point - since you have a DNA-1 on the way, you will be able to audition both amps in stock form. The amp you prefer stock is the one you should stick with.

Most upgrades (certainly my own) improve on what is fundamentally there to begin with. It would be unusual for an upgrade to transform the basic character of an amp into something else entirely. Listening to the stock amps should tell you a lot, and my guess is that you will find you have a clear preference for one or the other.

Best regards,

Steve McCormack
SMc Audio
unsound
7,358 posts
 
I've heard them all with the Thiel 3.5's, but honestly don't remember the sound of the Hafler with them. To my ears the c-j worked best. The McCormack, while a perfectly lovely amp with other speakers (Vandersteens!) were too forward and shouty to my ears with the Thiel 3.5's. IME, the warmer bass of the c-j works better than the tighter bass of the McCormack with the 3.5's too. At this price range you might be able to find a Threshold S/500, a very worthy consideration that should work well with either your Threshold or Audio Research pre.
audionuts
74 posts
 
Years ago, I used a pair of DNA1 deluxe edition rev.A mono block to power the Thiel 3.6s - sound very dynamic, great transition attack and on the neutral side. I hardly felt the DNA ever out of juice even thought the Thiel was among power sucker.
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