preamp to mate with McCormack DNA 1

I recommend to use passive preamps since McCormacks are too sencitive for the tube drive. They're designed to be used with McCormack preamps that have basically 0 gain. Becides McCormack preamps that I consider bright in active mode you can use:
1.Placette passive(remote optional) is a-bit above $1k
2.Audio Synthesis passive rempte preamp(used is even under $1k)
3.Never had a chance but according to the blasting reviews you can check bent audio transformer volume passive preamp.

4yanx, I feel that you'll sell your Kora before bent breaks-in(might take some time for transformer)...
Keep us posted

4yanx, to be more precies I'd say it might or might not take a long time to break-in. Theoretically inside the trans there is a large deal of reactive interfearance between isolation wires and core that might not sound right firstly but will eventually shape within 20...50hrs of signal.

...to my simple philosophy about breakin'-in i'd say that $hit will never become a flower within the time and there are ONLY small changes occur during that period. much more larger proccesses occur with human psychological and audiable adoptation (even during these 20...50 hours).

speakers and source devices have one more mechanical factor blended with both mentioned above.