IC: McCormack DNA-1

13»

Comments

  • vmaxer
    vmaxer Posts: 5,117
    edited May 2015
    MrBuhl wrote: »
    Hell - I'm excited for you Vmaxer! Hope you enjoy that one as much as I do mine!

    Gotta admit that I am excited to get this, can't wait to hear it.

    I have a couple Sunfires in the HT setup, a Parasound in the garage and a B&K Reference 200.2 in the bedroom (was using a Adcom GFA 555). I will put this in the bedroom now and see how it does.

    Not sure what to expect compared to the others???
    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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 11tsteve
    11tsteve Posts: 1,166
    I have had the B&K 200.2... the 1200 mkII... a Conrad-Johnson.... my DNA 0.5 beats them all. The low end is nothing short of spectacular. and that's just the beginning.
    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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • usp1
    usp1 Posts: 207
    I should stop reading these comments...it is giving me seller's remorse.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MrBuhl
    MrBuhl Posts: 2,419
    usp1 wrote: »
    I should stop reading these comments...it is giving me seller's remorse.

    LOL - you DID replace it with a DNA-2 afterall didn't you?! You're making me want to jump up the McCormack chain - so there's angst all around! :smiley:
    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






    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    DSkip wrote: »
    usp1 wrote: »
    I should stop reading these comments...it is giving me seller's remorse.

    You know what you do? Take that money from this sale and reinvest it into the rig. You've got a better amp - there should be no sellers remorse here. Find another component that takes your experience up a notch or two.

    This ^^^^
    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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • usp1
    usp1 Posts: 207
    So here is my current system. A Marantz SR8004 CDP /Denon DP62L TT -> Benchmark DAC Pre (or Dodd Var gain tube buffer with lots of bells and whistles) -> DNA-2 (or Rogue M120 Magnum monos) -> Maggie 1.6 or Gallo 3.1.

    Love each and everyone of the components. I was told that I could really take the TT up several notches by investing in a custom plinth. But I am unsure about that. I am considering investing in some better room treatments. I currently have Michael Green room tunes, which work surprisingly well for how flimsy they are. With the DNA-2 in place though I have a lot more bass then I had before and I think I may need some corner traps.

    Any other ideas?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • usp1
    usp1 Posts: 207
    3 feet from the front wall and 5 from each side wall. I think that should be sufficient.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • vmaxer
    vmaxer Posts: 5,117
    edited May 2015
    Well I made it home and have the DNA1 hooked up, wow.

    I connected it and put a CD in, much louder at the same level on the pre, didn't expect that??

    I see what you mean by the bass being faster, don't know a better way to describe it.

    I have it playing a while now to get things warmed up a bit and I am outside. I will do more listening later tonight and tomorrow.

    There is a very slight hum when I'm not playing anything?? I will look into this more as well. The manual says to use adapters on everything except the amp?? I'm sure they know more than I do, may have to pick some up tomorrow.

    Very happy to have this!!
    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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 11tsteve
    11tsteve Posts: 1,166
    is the hum from speakers or the amp? my amp has a very slight transformer hum directly from the amp for maybe the first few minutes of warm up.
    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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • vmaxer
    vmaxer Posts: 5,117
    11tsteve wrote: »
    is the hum from speakers or the amp? my amp has a very slight transformer hum directly from the amp for maybe the first few minutes of warm up.

    From the speakers. Not loud at all, but nobody wants him. I need to recheck all connections also.
    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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • usp1
    usp1 Posts: 207
    Hmmm.... i did not have any (could not resist the pun). Perhaps a ground loop somewhere? I had that problem with the Rogue tube amps until I realized that the two outlets that the amps were connected to were on different circuits. Have not had any problems with the DNA-1 though. Hope you can resolve it soon.

    In any case, it is interesting that you noticed the bass first. For me it was the depth of the sound stage, then the bass, and then the finer details in the treble.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • usp1
    usp1 Posts: 207
    Also, as Steve McCormack told me, the DNA-1and DNA-2 need a few days to settle in after being shipped. And it will only sound better after a few days. Not sure why that may be so but it does seem to be true.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • vmaxer
    vmaxer Posts: 5,117
    edited May 2015
    @usp1 with the 703's hooked up that (bass) was the first thing I noticed, but they are set up terrible (on top of 2b's just to get some hours on them).

    I have been playing a lot today, when I hooked up to the modded 1c's it was also one of the things I noticed,,, almost no bass???

    This synergy thing can be a b i t c h. I have a Modded Jolida CD player going to an Odyssey Candela pre to the DNA1.

    Had all MIT cables as well, S2 from CD player, S3 to amp and S3 speaker wires. This combination does not play together very well.

    I have changed interconnects at first with very noticeable bass improvement, then speaker cables. Also changed tubes in the pre,,much, much mo better!!

    I still have some playing around to do, but the amp is a keeper!! The soundstage is a lot bigger and detailed.

    I also noted the same thing on the stock 2b's I have, but the modded 1c's are much better at the moment.

    Odd that the 703's had plenty of bass, but not the SDA's??

    More to come after more time with it. Wish I didn't have to work this week :(

    Forgot to mention that I am using a Audio Art power cord on the DNA 1

    8xvb2jfpesbo.jpg
    38c88s0nwgd3.jpg
    gu3temjxffhv.jpg
    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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • vc69
    vc69 Posts: 2,500
    @Vmaxer, if you decide that the McCormack doesn't float your boat, keep me in mind. ;)
    -Kevin
    HT: Philips 52PFL7432D 52" LCD 1080p / Onkyo TX-SR 606 / Oppo BDP-83 SE / Comcast cable. (all HDMI)B&W 801 - Front, Polk CS350 LS - Center, Polk LS90 - Rear
    2 Channel:
    Oppo BDP-83 SE
    Squeezebox Touch
    Muscial Fidelity M1 DAC
    VTL 2.5
    McIntosh 2205 (refurbed)
    B&W 801's
    Transparent IC's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • usp1
    usp1 Posts: 207
    There was a really nice Mccormack DNA-125 on Audioasylum last night for $750 and it is sold already. Something magical about that price point I guess... :)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    usp1 wrote: »
    There was a really nice Mccormack DNA-125 on Audioasylum last night for $750 and it is sold already. Something magical about that price point I guess... :)

    Yeah, because they usually don't sink lower than a G note. You'd be hard pressed to do better under a grand in SS amplification.

    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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • vmaxer
    vmaxer Posts: 5,117
    vc69 wrote: »
    @Vmaxer, if you decide that the McCormack doesn't float your boat, keep me in mind. ;)


    Hey, I really like it, just have to work through the synergy thing I think. The soundstage is awesome on the SDA's so far.

    Anyone who thinks cables don't matter hasn't been there. It seems the better you go in equipment the more they matter.

    This thing really has some power <3
    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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • usp1
    usp1 Posts: 207
    I know..I just wanted to tell vc69 to be on the lookout for deals of that nature.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MrBuhl
    MrBuhl Posts: 2,419
    vmaxer wrote: »
    vc69 wrote: »
    @Vmaxer, if you decide that the McCormack doesn't float your boat, keep me in mind. ;)

    Anyone who thinks cables don't matter hasn't been there. It seems the better you go in equipment the more they matter.

    This thing really has some power <3

    Yea - Steve Mccormack even recommends certain power cords to upgrade to - he's a big believer in all cabling including PC. Here's one blurb I remembered from an interview posted on his new companies site.

    http://www.hifizine.com/2011/06/interview-with-steve-mccormack-of-smc-audio/

    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






    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    MrBuhl wrote: »
    Yea - Steve Mccormack even recommends certain power cords to upgrade to - he's a big believer in all cabling including PC. Here's one blurb I remembered from an interview posted on his new companies site.

    http://www.hifizine.com/2011/06/interview-with-steve-mccormack-of-smc-audio/

    If you notice in that interview, Steve talks about his qualifications but also talks about using the science as a tool, but not the only tool. He uses....gasp....his ears too. Oh the horror of it all. 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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter