2. amps-preamps
  3. 1164600285

How hot should a McCormack DNA-225 get?

I recently picked up a 6 year old one that was just factory checked. The heat sinks get pretty hot with no signal, and with music at moderate levels (feeding Infinity 8 Kappas, nominally 6 ohms) for half an hour, get almost too hot to touch! I'll call the factory and ask, but thought a voice of user experience could be more "honest." It is on a bottom shelf of a cabinet with open front and large openings in the back. At the time nothing was above it (over 2 feet of air.) The DNA-225 is replacing my 20 year old Adcom GFA-555 which would only get "hot" after a good while of cranking out some tunes.

Also, in a different room, the amp is tripping a 15-amp circuit breaker at turn on. Nothing else is on at the time. The original location may have been on a 20-amp circuit, I'll have to check.

Both these things make me wonder if the factory missed something. Ticket said they just biased some transistors. Any owner expeiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Mike
kartracer

Showing 2 responses by kartracer

kartracer OP
37 posts
 
All, thanks for your replies (especially Steve.) I replaced the breaker and that solved the tripping problem. I had time to have the system on for about 45 minutes last night and the amp seemed cooler (relative term) also. I have an infrared thermometer, so I'll take some readings, but based on your responses, feel confident the only thing cooking will be some hot tunes.

MikeB.
kartracer OP
37 posts
 
Steve - help! I've lived quite happily with the sound of my DNA-225 for 6 months now. Speakers are now Von Schweikert VR-4jr's; speaker cable is (don't laugh, I'm just entering cable hell!) Home Depot 10-gauge solid copper shotguns made by yours truly, about 8 feet long. Balance of equipment, just for reference, is Bel Canto Pre2P, Music Hall CDP 25.2 (modded by Underwood), VPI Scout with Dynavector 10x5. IC's are Signal Cable silvers and PC's are Signal Cable; shielded for CDP, otherwise for otherwise.

The equipment is less than 10 feet from my breaker panel. I've had two dedicated circuits installed (I believe the electrician used 12 gauge wire) with a 20-amp breaker on each, outlets are Porter Ports. 70% of the time when I switch on the DNA-225, the breaker STILL trips. As before, the only other thing on that circuit drawing power is the pre- and it's what, maybe a couple dozen milliamps to power the LED and some transistors in standby?!?

What tests can I do to find and resolve this problem. With all the great reviews, I was considering a Silver upgrade. Don't make me buy a Class D amp!! Any advise would be greatly appreciated, thank you all.

Mike
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