Considering McCormack DNA 225 - opinions?

daddyjt
daddyjt Posts: 2,305
There is a McCormack DNA 225 on KSL Classifieds (salt lake city's version of Craigslist). I've seen the amp, and it's in near mint condition. I have the seller down to $1,025, and I suppose just needing a nudge from anyone experienced with the amp/brand. I will mainly be driving Legacy Focus 20/20, Infinity Kappa 9, and Polk 1.2 speakers via MIT Shotgun S1 speaker wires.

I appreciate any thoughts or insights.
"Conservative Libertarians love the country, progressive leftists love the government." - Andrew Wilkow


“Human beings are born with different capacities. If they are free, they are not equal. And if they are equal, they are not free.”
― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

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Comments

  • dkfreebird
    dkfreebird Posts: 1,180
    I haven't heard the 225 but I have the 0.5 deluxe and am a McCormack fanboy.I use mine on a pair of 1.2tl's and it doesn't break a sweat.
    2 Channel
    Polk 1.2tl's Modded with dreadnought
    Musical Fidelity M6Si
    North Star Intenso Dac
    Auralic Aries Mini Streamer
    Oppo 103
    Pangea PC
    Wireworld Equinox 7 interconnects
    Wireworld Equinox 7 Speaker Cables and Jumpers

    Backups 2.3tl, Crs+ pin/blade with stands.Monitor 5 peerless,Monitor 4 peerless,Polk R200,McCormack Dna 0.5 Deluxe McCormack Dna 1,Dared Sl 2000A,Dayens Ampino Rogue Magnum 66 pre
  • xsmi
    xsmi Posts: 1,786
    Very nice amp. Very warm but I'd say they mate well with those speakers. The price is a bargain from what I've seen.
    2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,902
    I'd snatch it, love that brand of amps myself...pushed some on a few around here. :):)
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
  • kharp1
    kharp1 Posts: 3,453
    I have a DNA-125 that was modded by Bob Backert with upgraded Black Gate caps in the signal and power supply. When I got it (off this forum) I was taken aback by what I considered a forward sound, That was in comparison to the Marsh that I had been using which is laid back in the mids and rolled off somewhat in the highs. After giving it time it became my main amp. It was just "right" all the way around. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another after having this one.
  • vmaxer
    vmaxer Posts: 5,116
    Nudge....
    Pio Elete Pro 520
    Panamax 5400-EX
    Sunfire TGP 5
    Micro Seiki DD-40 - Lyra-Dorian and Denon DL-160
    PS Audio GCPH phono pre
    Sunfire CG 200 X 5
    Sunfire CG Sig 405 X 5
    OPPO BDP-83 SE
    SDA SRS 1.2TL Sonicaps and Mills
    Ctr CS1000p
    Sur - FX1000 x 4
    SUB - SVS PB2-Plus

    Workkout room:
    Sony Bravia XBR- 32-Inch 1080p
    Onkyo TX-DS898
    GFA 555
    Yamaha DVD-S1800BL/SACD
    Ft - SDA 1C

    Not being used:
    RTi 38's -4
    RT55i's - 2
    RT25i's -2, using other 2 in shop
    LSI 15's
    CSi40
    PSW 404
  • voltz
    voltz Posts: 5,384
    Awesome, after you had some time with it please give us your thoughts!
    2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge

    HT - Polk 703's * NAD T-758 * Adcom 5503 * Oppo 103 * Samsung 60" series 8 LCD
  • vmaxer
    vmaxer Posts: 5,116
    Me thinks you are about to be berry happy.
    Pio Elete Pro 520
    Panamax 5400-EX
    Sunfire TGP 5
    Micro Seiki DD-40 - Lyra-Dorian and Denon DL-160
    PS Audio GCPH phono pre
    Sunfire CG 200 X 5
    Sunfire CG Sig 405 X 5
    OPPO BDP-83 SE
    SDA SRS 1.2TL Sonicaps and Mills
    Ctr CS1000p
    Sur - FX1000 x 4
    SUB - SVS PB2-Plus

    Workkout room:
    Sony Bravia XBR- 32-Inch 1080p
    Onkyo TX-DS898
    GFA 555
    Yamaha DVD-S1800BL/SACD
    Ft - SDA 1C

    Not being used:
    RTi 38's -4
    RT55i's - 2
    RT25i's -2, using other 2 in shop
    LSI 15's
    CSi40
    PSW 404
  • halo
    halo Posts: 5,616
    edited July 2017
    That's a bad a$$ amp my friend. It's definitely not for the timid! Bone stock they're wonderful but you can also send them into SMc Audio for upgrades!
    Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
    HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10
  • MrBuhl
    MrBuhl Posts: 2,419
    I have two, a Gold 0.5 Deluxe and a 1.0, you will not be sorry. Best amp I have ever heard honestly, both of them LOL!
    VA HT HK AVR20II, Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD, Polk Audio RC80i / Polk Audio CSi3, 60" Panasonic Plasma, Nordost / Signal Cable A2 / Wireworld / Pangea / Magic Power
    VA 2 Channel Focal Electra 926 speakers, Pass Labs X150.5 Amp, Eastern Electric MiniMax Preamp (Tutay mods), Eastern Electric Minimax CDP (Scott Nixon mods), Music Hall mmf 5.1 Turntable, Parks Audio Budgie Phono Pre , Audioengine B1 streamer, MIT S3 IC's / MIT Shotgun S3 Speaker Cables / PS Audio power cables
    Noggin Schiit Valhalla, Pangea, Phillips Fidelio X1, Polk UF8000

    Polk SDA1c modded
    Polk CRS+ 4.1TL modded (need veneer)
    Polk SDA2BTL (fully modded)
    A/L 1000VA Dreadnought Canare 4s11 SDA cable
    SACD Marantz DV8300
    Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD
    Yamaha YP-D6
    Soundcraftsmen PCR800
    Audible Illusions L1 Preamp
    Vincent MFA based Cocci Tube Preamp
    Pho-700 Phono Pre
    Signal Cable Silver Resolution IC's






  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,902
    daddyjt wrote: »
    As it turns out, I didn't take much of a nudge - I snagged it on the way home from work after reading the responses here. I was not prepared for the weight of it - not just the pounds, but the sheer mass and "presence" of it. I cannot wait to work it into the system this weekend.

    Thank you all for the advice! Pics and impressions to follow... :smiley:

    Nice man, hook it up to the Focus 20/20's.....and step back....for your own safety. lol
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 10,716
    Way cool. Congrats!
  • indyhawg
    indyhawg Posts: 1,633
    Congrats on the new amp. I wish one would show up locally for me at that price.
  • indyhawg
    indyhawg Posts: 1,633
    Beautiful amp.
  • 11tsteve
    11tsteve Posts: 1,166
    edited July 2017
    I miss my McCormack. :(

    Congrats on a great purchase.
    Polk Lsi9
    N.E.W. A-20 class A 20W
    NAD 1020 completely refurbished
    Keces DA-131 mk.II
    Analysis Plus Copper Oval, Douglass, Morrow SUB3, Huffman Digital
    Paradigm DSP-3100 v.2
  • vmaxer
    vmaxer Posts: 5,116
    Can't wait till you try it out.
    Pio Elete Pro 520
    Panamax 5400-EX
    Sunfire TGP 5
    Micro Seiki DD-40 - Lyra-Dorian and Denon DL-160
    PS Audio GCPH phono pre
    Sunfire CG 200 X 5
    Sunfire CG Sig 405 X 5
    OPPO BDP-83 SE
    SDA SRS 1.2TL Sonicaps and Mills
    Ctr CS1000p
    Sur - FX1000 x 4
    SUB - SVS PB2-Plus

    Workkout room:
    Sony Bravia XBR- 32-Inch 1080p
    Onkyo TX-DS898
    GFA 555
    Yamaha DVD-S1800BL/SACD
    Ft - SDA 1C

    Not being used:
    RTi 38's -4
    RT55i's - 2
    RT25i's -2, using other 2 in shop
    LSI 15's
    CSi40
    PSW 404
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,521
    Very, very nice!
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
  • MrBuhl
    MrBuhl Posts: 2,419
    11tsteve wrote: »
    I miss my McCormack. :(

    Congrats on a great purchase.

    I miss your McCormack too! I only get to listen when I'm home in VA or on vacation - but I do love it so Steve!
    VA HT HK AVR20II, Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD, Polk Audio RC80i / Polk Audio CSi3, 60" Panasonic Plasma, Nordost / Signal Cable A2 / Wireworld / Pangea / Magic Power
    VA 2 Channel Focal Electra 926 speakers, Pass Labs X150.5 Amp, Eastern Electric MiniMax Preamp (Tutay mods), Eastern Electric Minimax CDP (Scott Nixon mods), Music Hall mmf 5.1 Turntable, Parks Audio Budgie Phono Pre , Audioengine B1 streamer, MIT S3 IC's / MIT Shotgun S3 Speaker Cables / PS Audio power cables
    Noggin Schiit Valhalla, Pangea, Phillips Fidelio X1, Polk UF8000

    Polk SDA1c modded
    Polk CRS+ 4.1TL modded (need veneer)
    Polk SDA2BTL (fully modded)
    A/L 1000VA Dreadnought Canare 4s11 SDA cable
    SACD Marantz DV8300
    Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD
    Yamaha YP-D6
    Soundcraftsmen PCR800
    Audible Illusions L1 Preamp
    Vincent MFA based Cocci Tube Preamp
    Pho-700 Phono Pre
    Signal Cable Silver Resolution IC's






  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 24,480
  • vmaxer
    vmaxer Posts: 5,116
    So,,,,,have you listened to it yet????
    Pio Elete Pro 520
    Panamax 5400-EX
    Sunfire TGP 5
    Micro Seiki DD-40 - Lyra-Dorian and Denon DL-160
    PS Audio GCPH phono pre
    Sunfire CG 200 X 5
    Sunfire CG Sig 405 X 5
    OPPO BDP-83 SE
    SDA SRS 1.2TL Sonicaps and Mills
    Ctr CS1000p
    Sur - FX1000 x 4
    SUB - SVS PB2-Plus

    Workkout room:
    Sony Bravia XBR- 32-Inch 1080p
    Onkyo TX-DS898
    GFA 555
    Yamaha DVD-S1800BL/SACD
    Ft - SDA 1C

    Not being used:
    RTi 38's -4
    RT55i's - 2
    RT25i's -2, using other 2 in shop
    LSI 15's
    CSi40
    PSW 404
  • daddyjt
    daddyjt Posts: 2,305
    I am putting into the system now... :smile:

    I took some internal photos this morning - this thing is a piece of work! I have been doing some research on the topology of the amp design, and it is quite innovative. Had I known a few days ago what I know now, I would not have needed a nudge...!

    zh8kbqnztel1.jpg
    jhaa1xv4vepu.jpg
    2hfe4skuc1lm.jpg
    mf03hl5zybdc.jpg
    "Conservative Libertarians love the country, progressive leftists love the government." - Andrew Wilkow


    “Human beings are born with different capacities. If they are free, they are not equal. And if they are equal, they are not free.”
    ― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

  • MrBuhl
    MrBuhl Posts: 2,419
    sex-ay!
    VA HT HK AVR20II, Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD, Polk Audio RC80i / Polk Audio CSi3, 60" Panasonic Plasma, Nordost / Signal Cable A2 / Wireworld / Pangea / Magic Power
    VA 2 Channel Focal Electra 926 speakers, Pass Labs X150.5 Amp, Eastern Electric MiniMax Preamp (Tutay mods), Eastern Electric Minimax CDP (Scott Nixon mods), Music Hall mmf 5.1 Turntable, Parks Audio Budgie Phono Pre , Audioengine B1 streamer, MIT S3 IC's / MIT Shotgun S3 Speaker Cables / PS Audio power cables
    Noggin Schiit Valhalla, Pangea, Phillips Fidelio X1, Polk UF8000

    Polk SDA1c modded
    Polk CRS+ 4.1TL modded (need veneer)
    Polk SDA2BTL (fully modded)
    A/L 1000VA Dreadnought Canare 4s11 SDA cable
    SACD Marantz DV8300
    Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD
    Yamaha YP-D6
    Soundcraftsmen PCR800
    Audible Illusions L1 Preamp
    Vincent MFA based Cocci Tube Preamp
    Pho-700 Phono Pre
    Signal Cable Silver Resolution IC's






  • Jhayman
    Jhayman Posts: 1,548
    edited July 2017
    Very nice Congrats, McCormack is very fine gear..
    I've owned a few different pieces, loved them all..
    Another shout out to tonyb, he gave me my Nudge and I have not looked back.. :)
    ATC SCM40's,VTL TL 2.5 Preamp,PSB Stratus Goldi's,McCormack DNA 500,McCormack MAP-1 Preamp,Pro-Ject Xtension 10 TT,Ortofon Cadenza Red/Nordost RedDawn LS Speaker cables, Bryston BDP-2, Bryston BDA-2,PS Audio AC-3 power cables
  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,556
    Good stuff.
    Believe it or not mine has been sitting in the closet for the last year.
    I don't even have any speakers here in the new house (stored at my son's house).
    I'll be making the trip back to Dallas for the Proacs soon. It's been too long with nothing but headphones.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
  • daddyjt
    daddyjt Posts: 2,305
    I hooked everything up and sat down to give it a about a 30 minute listen, as there were some other chores I needed to get done today. That was just over 3 hours ago.

    I'll be completely honest, my first impression was not favorable. It sounded very laid back and "rigid", vs what I am used to. However, I resisted the temptation to mess with the tone controls on the preamp (I always leave them bypassed, but was tempted to use them to adjust). I found that, within about 15 minutes, I was liking the sound more and more. And more. And more.

    I apologize in advance, as I have never been good at describing sound - you might as well ask me to describe "green". I find this amp utterly incapable of fatigue, at any volume level - and I listened LOUD. The power reserves seem limitless, and the character and quality of the sound are a linear constant, regardless of how hard it's being pushed. In fact, I would be hard pressed to believe I was ever really pushing the amp at all. It got warm, but never hot during my 3+ hours with it today.

    I particularly enjoyed the entire Aja SACD - especially "Peg". That track is a veritable buffet of percussive instruments. This is the first time I have been able to easily discern not only all the different Marimbas, Vibraphone, xylophone, wood blocks and such, but their location in the room. True magic.

    I also listened to a lot of female vocals. Alison Krause and Eva Cassidy are a couple of my favorites, and they were presented in such beauty and realism that I didn't want to stop listening. So I didn't. The opening of Alison Krauss's "When You Say Nothing At All", as well as "Paper Airplanes" are so detailed and nuanced - the recordings capture every detail of her vocals, and this amp took it to a whole new level.

    I feel like my old amp set was like a '70s muscle car, and the McCormack is like the Cadillac CTS-V - all the power, but with a healthy dose of refinement and comfort thrown in for good measure. I fear there may be no going back...

    I've only run through the Legacys so far, And yes, I know my listening Ron sucks, but it is the best I've got right now :wink:

    uk56jjqxlueb.jpg
    7rzyb7p6guqg.jpg
    "Conservative Libertarians love the country, progressive leftists love the government." - Andrew Wilkow


    “Human beings are born with different capacities. If they are free, they are not equal. And if they are equal, they are not free.”
    ― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

  • vmaxer
    vmaxer Posts: 5,116
    I thought you would like it, most everyone does.

    Enjoy!!
    Pio Elete Pro 520
    Panamax 5400-EX
    Sunfire TGP 5
    Micro Seiki DD-40 - Lyra-Dorian and Denon DL-160
    PS Audio GCPH phono pre
    Sunfire CG 200 X 5
    Sunfire CG Sig 405 X 5
    OPPO BDP-83 SE
    SDA SRS 1.2TL Sonicaps and Mills
    Ctr CS1000p
    Sur - FX1000 x 4
    SUB - SVS PB2-Plus

    Workkout room:
    Sony Bravia XBR- 32-Inch 1080p
    Onkyo TX-DS898
    GFA 555
    Yamaha DVD-S1800BL/SACD
    Ft - SDA 1C

    Not being used:
    RTi 38's -4
    RT55i's - 2
    RT25i's -2, using other 2 in shop
    LSI 15's
    CSi40
    PSW 404
  • MrBuhl
    MrBuhl Posts: 2,419
    Outstanding! They do like some warm up - I think Steve McCormack even suggests leaving them on all the time, but I can't bring myself to do that. Your review and description sound like my thoughts though - happy to hear you're enjoying!
    VA HT HK AVR20II, Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD, Polk Audio RC80i / Polk Audio CSi3, 60" Panasonic Plasma, Nordost / Signal Cable A2 / Wireworld / Pangea / Magic Power
    VA 2 Channel Focal Electra 926 speakers, Pass Labs X150.5 Amp, Eastern Electric MiniMax Preamp (Tutay mods), Eastern Electric Minimax CDP (Scott Nixon mods), Music Hall mmf 5.1 Turntable, Parks Audio Budgie Phono Pre , Audioengine B1 streamer, MIT S3 IC's / MIT Shotgun S3 Speaker Cables / PS Audio power cables
    Noggin Schiit Valhalla, Pangea, Phillips Fidelio X1, Polk UF8000

    Polk SDA1c modded
    Polk CRS+ 4.1TL modded (need veneer)
    Polk SDA2BTL (fully modded)
    A/L 1000VA Dreadnought Canare 4s11 SDA cable
    SACD Marantz DV8300
    Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD
    Yamaha YP-D6
    Soundcraftsmen PCR800
    Audible Illusions L1 Preamp
    Vincent MFA based Cocci Tube Preamp
    Pho-700 Phono Pre
    Signal Cable Silver Resolution IC's






  • 11tsteve
    11tsteve Posts: 1,166
    MrBuhl wrote: »
    Outstanding! They do like some warm up - I think Steve McCormack even suggests leaving them on all the time, but I can't bring myself to do that. Your review and description sound like my thoughts though - happy to hear you're enjoying!

    When I had that amp, it was never off except for weather, or if we were away from the house for a period.
    Polk Lsi9
    N.E.W. A-20 class A 20W
    NAD 1020 completely refurbished
    Keces DA-131 mk.II
    Analysis Plus Copper Oval, Douglass, Morrow SUB3, Huffman Digital
    Paradigm DSP-3100 v.2
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,902
    Congrats man, glad you like it. Those Legacy's need some distance between them, spread them out some if you can. Ideally about 8-9 feet.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's