2. amps-preamps
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Upgraded McCormack DNA-1 or Dennis Had Inspire SEP?

It’s make or break time. I need to make a decision about which direction I need to take regarding my next amplifier. I’m coming from a Jolida Fusion 3502P that I’ve spent the last year searching for the best tube combinations.

Do I keep the McCormack DNA-1 I just bought and save up to have it upgraded, or do I sell it and buy a new Insipre amp from Mr. Had? 

I have a pair of Klipsch Cornwalls, Better Cables silver serpent interconnects, high quality copper speaker cables, and I’m feeding them with a Marantz preamp, through which I feed almost all my music via Amazon/Heos.

Discuss. 

Thanks in advance.

jsbw
gwng8
99 posts
 

@isaacc7 i've been banned as well.  i'm guessing its because i haven't renewed my membership.  ivan the multi millionaire who only seems to have the site to brag and show off his equipment must really need my $20.....what a joke

decooney
1,916 posts
 

@jsbw

 My new Dennis Had Inspire arrived today.Holy SH!T this was the absolute right choice

@charles1dad 

Congratulations and welcome to the wonderful sounding genre of low power tube amplifiers.

Fasten your seatbelt, or prepare to watch for different routes ahead.  Amazingly, the circuit design will change again for yet a whole new-better-wow version of "slinging solder" coming out soon,  out with the old and in with the new. Nope!  

It's unreal how many new circuits and variations can be discovered and different rectifier tubes to try with a small simple SEP tube amp :) Hopefully not to get on that rotating treadmill and just enjoy it. It takes a good preamp to make that amp sound its best. My inspire went to a new happy owner, enjoy!   

 

isaacc7
42 posts
 

@gwng8 Sorry, just noticed you replied here. He was super passive aggressive about me getting back on. I went ahead and paid the fee because Dennis actively monitors the thread and answers questions sometimes via one of the posters. Hope you're enjoying the amp! I continue to be amazed and have made some more tube discoveries at the expense of my budget lol. 

jsbw OP
14 posts
 

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… :)

decooney
1,916 posts
 

@jsbw "after a bit of tube rolling"...

 

Nah, really? 🤣 That was my only frustration with my prior Inspire and a pile of sets of different tubes leftover. i.e. With my tube dac, along came a list of tubes and rankings with helpful listening reviews of each to decide which ocean to go fish. DH and his loyal followers could help a little more with a similar list to save folks some money and mystery. It's all speaker-dependent with that amp with little margin for error. An upgraded McCormick would be nice to have around and rotate in once in a while, imo. Enjoy, happy listening!  

 

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