2. amps-preamps
  3. 133720-1973

Amp away for 20 year upgrade...back-up amp to the rescue

I just sent my SMc Audio Revision A+ modified McCormack DNA-1 Deluxe amplifier to SMc for an apparently much needed upgrade.  I bought the amp in 1997, had a Revision B mod done in early 1998 and then the A+ revision done in 2002.  On a whim I decided to call Steve McCormack two days ago to find out what was current with their modifications for the DNA-1.

In the course of a 25 minute chat I learned that virtually none of the mod parts in my amp are part of their current upgrades and that for a reasonable price (approx. $1300) I would get an entirely new motherboard, upgraded soft recovery diodes as well as new output caps., resistors, input and output jacks and wiring scheme.  So away it went today via Fedex.

Out of the closet comes my Musical Concepts modified Adcom GFA-555.  In listening through it right now, I remember how endearing this amp can be as it flatters the music with good ebb and flow and a recessed soundstage so the music never seems to "come at you".  Very enjoyable.  So why own and upgrade my full service amp?  Verisimilitude!!   That you are there or even better, they are here presence to the sound.  The lack of transient attack and air around instruments also belies a sense of realism.  Again, don't get me wrong, I'll be enjoying music for the next month or so that my main amp is getting a spa treatment, but it will be exciting to hear the music back in the room with me and the open soundspace where the music seems here again.
128x128hifiman5
whitestix
689 posts
 
hifiman,
Right on, my friend.  My pal has been a significant participant in the DIY forum on Adcom upgrades and claims the properly modded 5400 is a truly refined amplifier at a small cost.

I tell ya, when I got my DNA .05 a couple of years ago, merely on a whim, I was literally floored when I swapped out my CJ MF-80, which had been upgraded by Richard Thalman, and inserted the McCormack amp in its place.  OMG, from the first measure of the music, I fell in love with the power, speed and extension of the amp.  It is just profoundly musical. 

Last summer I got a First Watt F5 in a trade.  I always wanted a Pass amp, but they are quite pricey.  I will say that the F5 is more revealing of inner details of music and has a unique crystal clarity... ultimately being, in my view, a very neutral amp.  I use both amps to drive my Spatial Audio M4 Triode Master open baffle speakers, and can't say that I prefer one amp over the other.  The F5 yields a pure glimpse of the music but does not approach the muscularity of the sound of the McCormack amp.  I love both amps, no question.  We will see how the modded 5400 compared to the McCormack amp.  
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5 OP
1,823 posts
 
@whitestix   I hope you post the results of the 5400 project. There are quite a few A'Goners who are prejudiced against modifying gear as they fear it will reduce the resale value when they decide to move on to other gear.  Perhaps some will rethink their stance if they hear enough success stories.

I have really taken a big bite of the modification apple as my SACD player, line stage and amp are all extensively modified.
whitestix
689 posts
 
Yes, I will do just that.  My DIY friend in San Francisco is a brilliant engineer with a lust for audio improvements that can be done very economically.  There is a problem, he tells me, with the delicacy of the boards in the 5XXX amps so mods can go sideways if not done with a high degrees of TLC.  I reckon he might have $100-$200 in new components in my 5400 so for the DIY cats, this could be a path to an excellent amp for a pittance.  Honestly, I thought the stock amp sounded quite pleasant (although clearly not comparable to my McCormack amp), but he tells me that I the amp I will be getting back will be profoundly better in every respect.  In part, he focuses on beefing up the power supply with lots of additional caps.  
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5 OP
1,823 posts
 
That sounds like a good approach.  In all of my modded and stock equipment, I have opted for the modifiers or designers who emphasized the robustness of the power supply.  Music has an "effortless" quality to it through such gear.
jafant
18,825 posts
 

Guys-


I am a big Conrad Johnson fan.  I have not had a demo of any McCormack designs, yet, it could be on my radar.  Anyone here owned both and chose SMc  amps?


There is a sweet -looking DNA LAE for sale here, but, I would not know its sonic signature?  Would it mate well w/ a CJ pre-amp?


Happy Listening!

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