My DNA-0.5 died.....

usp1

I just read this thread and was happy to see that the issue was resolved by a simple fuse change. SMCaudio and Steve himself are wonderful about helping out and most importantly don't push you to upgrade unnecessarily.

I was very interested in the suggestions for better SQ:
1. I used to keep my DNA-1 on all the time but stopped when I found myself getting busy and not able to listen for weeks at a time. It does take about 30-40 mins before the amp sounds its best after turning it on. Same with my DNA-2 now.
2. I am not sure how much difference the lid with and without screws makes. I had my DNA-2 without screws for some time as I played with SE and balanced connections. I could not hear a difference.
3. I did not have a spike for the DNA-1 but Steve told me that it definitely makes a difference and he likes how they sound with the spike. I am thinking of getting this from eBay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Threaded-Speaker-Spike-Set-for-Carpet-Floors-4-pcs-/261904215748?

4. Steve insists that a good power cord will make a significant difference and recommended Acoustic Zen. I am still in the process of looking for one now right now .

voltz

Lots of power cord options out there ..like Voodoo magneto for about $150 and Skip can get the ones from WireWorld I bet. and Douglas Connection has Elite 12's & Bravo 15's
http://douglasconnection.com/Elite-12-Power-Cable-by-Douglas-Connection-DCELITE12.htm

11tsteve

well, the deal is done and the Pangea is on it's way to my doorstep. I suppose I will be forced to make the best out of the situation.

11tsteve

I did buy the 3M... and I appreciate the heads up. This is my first power cable upgrade and was not completely aware of what it may entail. Based on PSOVLSK's Pangea thread, I see I will most likely be needing to rearrange things to get this cord to turn a 90 degree.

tonyb

usp1 wrote: »

4. Steve insists that a good power cord will make a significant difference and recommended Acoustic Zen. I am still in the process of looking for one now right now .

Oh the horror....an EE of his caliber recommending an upgraded power cord ?

Keep an eye out for the AZ power cords on the used markets, I'm impressed with their products so far.

11tsteve

tonyb wrote: »

usp1 wrote: »

4. Steve insists that a good power cord will make a significant difference and recommended Acoustic Zen. I am still in the process of looking for one now right now .

Oh the horror....an EE of his caliber recommending an upgraded power cord ?

Keep an eye out for the AZ power cords on the used markets, I'm impressed with their products so far.

not to mention they recommend upgrading the fuses if possible. Bunch of rebels.

tonyb

11tsteve wrote: »

. Bunch of rebels.

LMAO .....thanks man, I needed that this morning.

Jhayman

I know bud, but I find myself pulling out my stand and rearranging things on a semi-weekly basis..
The floor is fine no slope or wobble except with one to many Vodka's and Redbulls
Was thinking of an integrated but when will it end for a month or two, lol

tonyb wrote: »

Dude, you really need to clean out that room, the sound would improve immensely. Is that an optical thing, or does that floor have a major dip in it ?

Consolidate my friend. Now that I see the size of that room, maybe a good integrated from the likes of AYON might be more appropriate.

11tsteve

I don't know if anyone will see this since it is an older thread revived, but here goes.

So as a recap, the DNA had a bad fuse, fixed, and at the time I was in the process of purchasing a Pangea 3M AC-9 power cable, which I did and have received. Let me tell you, as my first purchase of an aftermarket power cable, I was unprepared.

The cable came well packed in (what I thought ) was an oversized box from Polkie acmf74. Once opened, I understood. The cable is larger than an adult bull snake, and heavier.... most likely clocking in over 5 or 6 pounds. The cord it is replacing came with the DNA 0.5, and frankly the old cord was a POS with unsure connectors. The Pangea is much more solid in that area, and made me happy right off the bat.

I had to turn my amp sideways to accommodate the AC-9's large turning radius, so my rig is once again in a temporary arrangement until new solutions can be found. I had some unexpected time to play today, as my job was called off due to weather, so I went for it.

Some background..... I am currently using my reworked RTA 11T's in the rig. After I recapped the Xovers, I have always felt there was a certain lack in the low end of these speakers, not as deep as I felt they should be. However, since I added the MCCormack, that is no longer an issue. This combo digs deep, and frankly, I have backed the crossover point on the sub back from 80 Hz to more like 55 Hz..... volume mostly at 50%. I find this to be a satisfactory boost.... and I mostly listen at relatively quite levels. Once in a while I boost the bass control on the 1020 one point. It is a very active tone control.... and I have been listening all day, a lot earlier with the original power cord.

One last background info.... I have always had a very quiet electronic "gurgle" since I added the Keces DAC. and its volume was dependent on where the Keces sat and what direction in which it was oriented. I did some cable management, and experimenting with placement and made it the best I could. The volume control would have to be beyond 3 o'clock to hear it, but I knew it was there and it bothers me.

In comes the Pangea today and these things happened immediately.

I had to level the bass trim on the 1020. The bass added by the sub was now more than necessary with the RTA 11t and I lowered the crossover point to it's lowest 35Hz. The low end feels even more defined, faster, and , well, spacious. This is based upon impressions made with program material I am both very familiar with, and stuff I had been listening to all day.

And it felt as if the noise floor had dropped, so I did some checking with DAC placement and such... that annoying gurgle is completely gone, no matter where the unit sits.

This McCormack was already impressive... but the soundstage, the space, the imaging, is so rock solid I am beyond giddy. I am learning about air... openness... vertical space... and synergy. The things I have only read about are clocking into place, and it is glorious.

I am not going to gush over power cords, but this is what happened today, and I could not be more pleased with the experiences I had with my rig today.

11tsteve

DSkip wrote: »

Good show. Like I said, my issue with the ac9 is not its performance, but it's lack of conforming with anything you want it to do. I'm in a boat now where I only have one aftermarket cable. I'm putting in an order for some Wireworlds tomorrow as they are very much needed now.

yeah, but everything you mentioned was on point, and it was good you mentioned things so I did not try to frustrate myself. It was easier, for experimentation, to just let the cable be the cable, and I will find a work around later.
Right now I am just so tickled with the results it overshadows the drawbacks.

dkfreebird

Thanks to Skip I should have my first run with aftermarket cables in a couple of days.I have also been eyeballing a McCormack Dna 0.5 here and was wondering if it would be an upgrade over the Parasound 1200ii I have or the Sunfire Signature. I can't wait to try them out on both.

vmaxer

dkfreebird wrote: »

Thanks to Skip I should have my first run with aftermarket cables in a couple of days.I have also been eyeballing a McCormack Dna 0.5 here and was wondering if it would be an upgrade over the Parasound 1200ii I have or the Sunfire Signature. I can't wait to try them out on both.

Looking forward to replies on this one

11tsteve

I had a 1200II, and it is a great amp. I would still recommend it...

...and I wish I could A/B one with the MCCormack. But my memory and my reactions to the McCormack tell me the DNA 0.5 is a step or two up the chain. Honestly, everything I have done... all three sets of refurbished speakers, all the cables, the refurbished 1020.... it has all come together with the McCormack in a way that makes me feel the music more than any previous iteration. Finally, when I listen, the gear is starting to disappear.

Next, I start working on the room.

11tsteve

DSkip wrote: »

In a not so accusational tone of voice - that should've been where you started.

I know... point taken. But as I was with computers and other aspects of my life, I am a hardware junkie. And I have enjoyed listening to different gear.

I also have the added annoyance of sharing this room with my wife, so approval of treatments will be key.

dkfreebird

I do seem to be going back to the parasound with my 2.3tl's but the Sunfire brings out the best in my B&W CDM1nt's.I may just bite the bullet on the McCormack if I can get the price down a little.

11tsteve

dkfreebird wrote: »

I do seem to be going back to the parasound with my 2.3tl's but the Sunfire brings out the best in my B&W CDM1nt's.I may just bite the bullet on the McCormack if I can get the price down a little.

is it a local sale?

dkfreebird

Yes,maybe 40 minutes away.

tonyb

11tsteve wrote: »

This McCormack was already impressive... but the soundstage, the space, the imaging, is so rock solid I am beyond giddy. I am learning about air... openness... vertical space... and synergy. The things I have only read about are clocking into place, and it is glorious.

Cool bro, It always makes me chuckle a bit when someone discovers for themselves what a lot of us talk about. Hard to put into words but when you hear it, everything suddenly makes sense.

Downside is....once you now recognize it, you'll know it when it's gone.

vc69

@dkfreebird

Dude, McCormack amps are rare to find in my neck of the woods as well as on the gone or ebay. Get the damn thing and sell it if you don't like it. Which model and how much?

dkfreebird

vc69 wrote: »

@dkfreebird

Dude, McCormack amps are rare to find in my neck of the woods as well as on the gone or ebay. Get the damn thing and sell it if you don't like it. Which model and how much?

i pick it up tomorrow It's a dna 0.5 Deluxe Edition with box and maunual. 6 bills.

vmaxer

dkfreebird wrote: »

vc69 wrote: »

@dkfreebird

Dude, McCormack amps are rare to find in my neck of the woods as well as on the gone or ebay. Get the damn thing and sell it if you don't like it. Which model and how much?

i pick it up tomorrow It's a dna 0.5 Deluxe Edition with box and maunual. 6 bills.

That is a great deal. Let us know your thoughts please

dkfreebird

I will give it my best shot in a new thread.I'm kinda new to this critical listening but am learning more everyday.

usp1

vmaxer wrote: »

dkfreebird wrote: »

vc69 wrote: »

@dkfreebird

Dude, McCormack amps are rare to find in my neck of the woods as well as on the gone or ebay. Get the damn thing and sell it if you don't like it. Which model and how much?

i pick it up tomorrow It's a dna 0.5 Deluxe Edition with box and maunual. 6 bills.

That is a great deal. Let us know your thoughts please

@vmaxer You should know! Did you not just get an awesome deal recently... !!

MrBuhl

That's a fantastic deal - and the Deluxe has upgrades that would cost you an extra $G from SMc Audio already installed. I think you're gonna likey, the synergy in my system was an eye opener!

vmaxer

usp1 wrote: »

vmaxer wrote: »

dkfreebird wrote: »

vc69 wrote: »

@dkfreebird

Dude, McCormack amps are rare to find in my neck of the woods as well as on the gone or ebay. Get the damn thing and sell it if you don't like it. Which model and how much?

i pick it up tomorrow It's a dna 0.5 Deluxe Edition with box and maunual. 6 bills.

That is a great deal. Let us know your thoughts please

@vmaxer You should know! Did you not just get an awesome deal recently... !!

Yes I did and love it. Just wanted to know another opinion. I absolutely love mine.

Can't thank you enough.

11tsteve

tonyb wrote: »

Cool bro, It always makes me chuckle a bit when someone discovers for themselves what a lot of us talk about. Hard to put into words but when you hear it, everything suddenly makes sense.

Downside is....once you now recognize it, you'll know it when it's gone.

Yeah.... I have reached Dante's fourth level of the Rabbit Hole... and there is no getting out.

11tsteve

dkfreebird wrote: »

vc69 wrote: »

@dkfreebird
i pick it up tomorrow It's a dna 0.5 Deluxe Edition with box and maunual. 6 bills.

Didn't know it was the Deluxe... that's a darn good deal. There was one on Ebay a couple of weeks ago I think went for $750 or so in the end...
It will be great to hear your impressions.

dkfreebird

I can't wait to hear it myself.

tonyb

Excellent grab there....6 bones is a no brainer. Even though it's considered the baby of the bunch, your gonna love how musical this amp sounds. I've been a McCormack fanboy since I can't remember when. Probably from the first time I heard one and it definitely makes you pay attention.

Looking forward to your thoughts, congrats.

11tsteve

The "baby " also doubles down on wattage... so that 100W is 200W into my 4 ohm Infinity... and what into my 6 ohm RTA 11T?.... musical is right, and plenty of dynamics for my room even at low volume.