Van Alstine SS vs. McCormack DNA amps


Hi, I'm looking to upgrade to separates to power a a relatively new pair of Salk Songtowers. For the amp, I'm focused on the Van Alstine Insight line or the McCormack DNA 125. Hardly any reviews of the former, and lots of glowing reviews of the McCormack. I'd appreciate any feedback from anyone who has heard both, or at least compared something in the McCormack DNA line with other Van Alstine solid-state amps.

Thanks.
jimheard

Showing 2 responses by rockadanny

I've owned AVA Fet Valve Ultra 550 and it was a very good amp: sounded great; very powerful; built very well; and extraordinary customer service.

Gra3: "MUCH better build quality". Were you speaking strictly about more expensive/exotic parts or did you experience poorly assembled AVA amp? Frank does not necessarily use sexy parts, but parts which perform well, both electrically and soundwise, regardless of their lower comparitive cost.
Gra3 - Fan boy? Very presumptuous of you. Just giving my experience. True, my experiences are not exactly as OP requested, but are related since I owned a current AVA product, and also in response to your post about AVA build quality and service. Just because my opinion differs from yours does not make it invalid or biased. Don't need to have heard a Mc amp to comment on build quality and service of AVA. Unlike you, assuming where one should not, I attempted to get your take on the build, as in, in your experience is AVA actually poorly built (improper parts, shoddy workmanship) or just has parts less "high end" than Mc. Or perhaps not as beautiful to look at. I was seeking clarification from you as opposed to making assumptions. Gra3 - Paranoid?