SMC McCormack or Vincent Pwr Amp

Which line of Vincent Power amplifiers are you looking at? I've had a McCormack DNA-1 Deluxe but not the SMc audio modded kinds and I found I really enjoyed the Vincent Audio SP-993 amplifier over the DNA-1 Delxue.

I think the latest generation from Vincent Audio is the SP-994.

If you can get a DNA line of amplifiers already modded by SMc Audio. It is a long waiting game though. If you can find them used are a wonderful value and sound awesome from what I read.

I don't know if these are a step over the Aragon 4004 Mk2 you have but they could be different in sound.

Another thing that came to mind is that with Vincent Audio stuff I'm not sure how much support there is here stateside for them or if they have any dealers other than online sellers. If something goes wrong with the amp you may be in trouble. With SMc Audio modified McCormack amps there is support available from Steve McCormack himself and Kris Jeter.

Hi Jimbones

I checked the archives and found an old discussion post regarding Aragon vs. McCormack.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1348589019

It may shed a little light on the topic at hand. McCormack got the nod in the previous discussion.

Things may have changed though. Sorry if you saw this thread already.

My guess is others are saying Parasound because of the cost and the Parasound is newer I believe. If you were to acquire a DNA-1 in stock form it will run you $750 to $950 shipped depending on your luck/patience nowadays. Then to have it sent to SMc Audio for modifications which will run you $1500 to $2000 depending on the level of modification you desire. So you may be in the $2200 to $2900 range on money spent.

A new Parasound Halo A21 goes for $2650 shipped from Audio Advisor. You get a newer designed amp but to me an SMc Audio DNA-1 is pretty much re-built from the ground up so it is new IMO once you get it back from them.

I'm thinking I'd go with the SMc Audio modded DNA-1 for the customer service as well as the experience of many others who have had glowing reviews of SMc Audio modded gear.

Aragon is still in business I believe. Do they modify or restore the older line of Aragon amps? Maybe they can modernize your 4004 MK2?