2. amps-preamps
  3. 181722-96

Don’t buy used McCormack DNA 1990s amps

This is a public service announcement.  There are some yahoos on other sites selling 1990s McCormack DNA amps, sometimes at ridiculous prices.  While they’re great amps, and I happily owned a DNA 0.5 RevA for 20 years, they’re all gonna fatally fail.  Why?  Because their input board is at the end of its useful life, and when it fails your amp is dead and not repairable by anyone — not even SMcAudio.  It’s a boat anchor.  The only option is to sell it for scraps or get an SMcAudio upgrade that’ll cost around $2000.  Given my love of my amp I chose to do full upgrades given what else I could’ve gotten for the same same price and just got it back and will forward thoughts if anyone cares.  But the purpose of this post is to warn off any prospective buyers of a circa 1990s DNA amp that it’ll fatally fail soon, so unless you get a great price and plan on doing the SMcAudio upgrades just avoid these amps on the used market.  You’ve been warned. 

soix
soix OP
8,775 posts
 

@davidbeagrace Good question to which there is no easy answer as it’s a very personal decision. I ultimately decided to upgrade my DNA 0.5 RevA at SMcAudio when it failed for the following reasons:

  • I really like the sound of my amp
  • I know getting the amp upgraded will just give me more of everything I already like, so it’s a pretty sure bet
  • The upgrade cost with partial gravity base was “only” $2500 and would basically give me a whole new amp
  • The other amps I was considering that I was fairly confident would be a significant upgrade we’re all >$5000
  • I didn’t really want to go thru the whole search process to find another amp

Taking all those things into account drove me to go with the upgrade. Due to a problem with my preamp I haven’t been able to listen to the amp but hoping I will this weekend, but I’ll forward thoughts once I’ve got some hours on it. Sorry about your amp — I know it sucks — but hope this helps, and best of luck with your decision.

davidbeagrace
12 posts
 

Has anyone here had their McCormack DNA-1 renewed by McCormack/conrad-johnson? Feedback? Thanks.

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,332 posts
 

@davidbeagrace I recently tried a Simaudio Moon 330a. Thinking it will be a very nice match with your harbeths. Used can be found around $2500. Not discouraging you with McCormack. Just another option that may work just as good or better. 

soix OP
8,775 posts
 

@davidbeagrace The only place I’m aware of who renews/upgrades the amps is SMcAudio who built the amps originally but worth exploring CJ.  However, you might also wanna contact @bigkidz as he may be willing/able to help as well. 

kchamber
9 posts
 

@davidbeagrace 

CJ is still working on the DNA amps. When I contacted them a couple months back for schematics they offered to upgrade and rebuild the DNA1 I was working on. Here's an excerpt from that email.

"The only repair/update we offer is the R1 main board replacement.
At the same time the amp components are upgraded to the Deluxe level.
The price is $1050 plus shipping for the R1 board replacement.
This is a 25-30 year old amp.
Also the main power supply capacitors have reached their time limits, 20-30 years is normal.
The insulation deteriorates over time, as a result there is more
internal resistance. The resistance causes heat, the heat causes the deterioration to accelerate.
Many times the metal can expands as pressure inside builds up.
There are 16 capacitors in the main power supply.
The supply capacitors replaced at the same time is recommended, and adds another $550.
Replacing the caps would normally have 3hrs labor charges.
However I'll waive the labor for the cap replacement if done with the upgrade, since some of the labor is duplicated.
So around $1600 total, plus box and packing and shipping"

 

However we didn't go that route so I cannot attest to the work they perform, but at least you know the cost.

More to discover