Upgraded McCormack DNA-1 or Dennis Had Inspire SEP?

It’s good, no doubt. And there’s that whole "not tearing my hair out trying to find the perfect tube combo."

But...I need...more.

Already had several chats with Patrick, Patrick.😁

He’s been really helpful. Thing is, I just don’t know what the amp will sound like. I just dropped $1200 on it, and it sounds good, but not "the performer is in the room with me" good (because 25 year old amplifier). I was approaching that with my tube amp.

But, according to Patrick (the one at SMc), what I have now is about "20%" of what it could be...which, if true, is mindblowing. But...we’re talking about another $2k minimum (and I understand the value I’m getting for that money). Something I’d have to save for.

Or...stick with tubes, and for $2k (which I can swing if I sell the DNA-1) pick up one of Dennis Had’s Inspire SEP amps...which keep showing up in my consciousness, triggered by multiple sources.

So tube sound...but damnit...tube rolling again.

Ahhhh...the paralysis of analysis.

But--high quality problems to have.

Maybe I just need new speakers.

Anyone have a pair of La Scala IIs, they want to sell?

I own the KT88 Fierebottle amp by Dennis Had. I have had a blast with it but I am a bit of an odd fish to say the least. My system sounds amazing with it but for me being able to try different tubes is a big draw. I love the tubes themselves and I enjoy hearing how they sound. Output tubes I’ve used so far include KT88, 7189A, KT66, El38, 6ar6, 807, and 6v6. I’ve used 6bx7, 6sn7, and 6sl7 in the input plus loctal versions of this and the 6v6. Lots of fun. But I do understand how that could be frustrating for some people.

@isaacc7 I’ve loved tube rolling on the Jolida. Purchasing and selling all the tubes, not so much (see WAF). But it was only to get the best possible sound out of it, not to get different sounds.

 I’ve heard upgrades II, V on the Jolida and I’m a former DH SEP Hot Rod amp owner, fwiw. Upgrades I through V on the Jolida is worth the price of admission. Add PSVANE KT88 output tubes and good matched NOS small signal tubes, and it sounds nice!

@decooney I'd maybe do upgrades I and V. The rest of it is snake oil, as far as I'm concerned. And shipping to Maryland from San Diego and back makes it somewhat cost prohibitive (but not as expensive as the money I just dropped on this McCormack, pre-upgrades). So...maybe.

If you are going to keep the Cornwalls, then the DH low wattage tube amp is the route. Highly efficient speakers like yours @ 102 db sensitivity like low power. Its not about which amp is best. They both have their place. The DH tubes belong in your system as long as you have the cornwalls.

@artemus_5 Yep. It’s Dennis Had or Steve Deckert. Or maybe the Jolida upgrade. I’ll give Jerred a call.

I will always have Klipsch Heritage speakers, full stop. And that, gentlemen, means I will always have tubes.

At least I’ve eliminated one option.

Taking the McCormack to UPS after this post. 

I sold the DNA-1, bought some Klipsch LaScalas, and suddenly realized that the McCormack’s thick low end combined with the anemic low end (compared to the Cornwalls’) of the LaScalas would have likely been a lovely combination.

Oh well. 
 

Dennis’ amp arrives next week. New Dean Westcott crossovers soon thereafter.

@pinwa his latest single-ended pentode with a pair of KT88s, a 6sn7 and a 5u4g.

I hope the combo is magic, because I’ve spent the last year (and many hundreds of dollars) rolling tubes into my Jolida.

Well it’s been a minute. I’ve since upgraded speakers to a pair of ‘85 La Scalas (Dean Westcott modified AAs are on the way). Cornwalls are now being powered by a Harman Kardon 430 fed by an old MacBook Pro and Topping D10s in my office.

I like the Jolida, but I have the disease of Audiophilia, and I’ve never owned a single-ended amp, so I broke out the plastic and bought an amp from Mr. Had this morning. @pinwa, wish I’d seen your post before then, but it is what it is.

My new Dennis Had Inspire arrived today.

Holy SH!T this was the absolute right choice!

Update: 

after a bit of tube rolling, I’ve settled on two sets of tubes, and left it at that. When I feel the itch to switch, I simply change one for the other.

haven’t missed the McCormack at all.

But now I’m developing an obsession with low-powered Nelson Pass designs… :)