McCormick DNA 1 or Parsound HCA 1500

sucks2beme

At this point, I'll just leave it on all the time.
SMC feels it's an aging cap or caps causing the issue.
So If I get a wild hair, I can certainly change out caps.
I have recapped a couple of vintage amps.

dhart86

TonyB....very good advice with the listening evaluation of both amps, I can get a little impulsive with the up-line thinking this hobby makes you do. But in fact... my taste my prefer the Parasound with my gear. So you are right and I will do what you said.

your posts always add to my audio intelligence. Thanks man! And yeah I thought that McCormick on a'gon was a decent. think i'm gonna leave the 1500 up and try to work out shipping time with the buyer(perhaps?)

dkfreebird- cut it out man- only one amp can stay--my cash flow may not be at your level, baller (lol) Seriously, thanks I'm looking forward to the MCCORMICK

mRBUHL, I USUALLY agree with Tonyb, too! thanks dude

msg

tonyb wrote: »

Wait until you get it though before sending the Parasound out the door. Listen to it for a few weeks and get acclimated to the sound. Then throw the Parasound back in and decide which is to your tastes.

D - yeah, I agree with Tony here. If you can manage to keep the Parasound around for a little while, maybe consider doing so. You never know, man, and how bad would it suck to realize you prefer the Parasound and have to try to find another one in as nice of shape as yours?

On the other hand, the danger is to become married to gear you're not using, and end up a hoarder. I don't know anyone this has happened to, though, certainly not anyone on this board or in this thread.

dhart86

msg wrote: »

tonyb wrote: »

Wait until you get it though before sending the Parasound out the door. Listen to it for a few weeks and get acclimated to the sound. Then throw the Parasound back in and decide which is to your tastes.

D - yeah, I agree with Tony here. If you can manage to keep the Parasound around for a little while, maybe consider doing so. You never know, man, and how bad would it suck to realize you prefer the Parasound and have to try to find another one in as nice of shape as yours?

On the other hand, the danger is to become married to gear you're not using, and end up a hoarder. I don't know anyone this has happened to, though, certainly not anyone on this board or in this thread.

LMBO........That's exactly why I was so hasty to put the Parasound up for sale (in order to avoid the hoarder syndrome)
But you guys are right, I will compare what I like about the amps
Thanks

Jhayman

Steve McCormack does answer the phone and return e-mails I've personally did the two with him in the last 2 months..
McCormack rules, long live

dkfreebird

msg wrote: »

On the other hand, the danger is to become married to gear you're not using, and end up a hoarder. I don't know anyone this has happened to, though, certainly not anyone on this board or in this thread.

I prefer the term prepper over hoarder .I like to have enough replacement reserve to keep the system rolling when the (stupid is as stupid does) moment comes as they always do.

txcoastal1

dkfreebird wrote: »

msg wrote: »

On the other hand, the danger is to become married to gear you're not using, and end up a hoarder. I don't know anyone this has happened to, though, certainly not anyone on this board or in this thread.

I prefer the term prepper over hoarder .I like to have enough replacement reserve to keep the system rolling when the (stupid is as stupid does) moment comes as they always do.

Don't forget about alternative energy...no power no music

tonyb

Personally, I think the amp is gonna blow your sack back far enough you'll have to scrap it off the neighbors windows. That's just a guess, could be further.

Seriously dude, when it comes to musical SS amps, the McCormacks rate up there with some of the best. You'd have to spend thousands more than what you paid to better it, a lot of thousands.

I may be a fanboy of certain audio brands, but I'm also a realist and get that not everyone has the same tastes as I do.

dkfreebird

I have a Honda generator that should be able to handle those needs if they present themselves.

tonyb

dkfreebird wrote: »

I have a Honda generator that should be able to handle those needs if they present themselves.

That power washer is gonna hurt dude. lol Rubber spatula works best....with a little shaving cream for some lubrication. Sounds like the voice of experience huh ?

dkfreebird

LOL Yep sure does.I guess you can learn a lot more than audio on here.

tonyb

dkfreebird wrote: »

LOL Yep sure does.I guess you can learn a lot more than audio on here.

Yep....how to remove **** from a glass window. Something every audiophile should know and keep in their back pocket for emergencies.

Good luck to you and hope you enjoy the new toy.

motorhead43026

I may have to check out McCormick, being that everybody's panties are getting wet over it

dhart86

The McCormack arrived a couple of days ago, but I have been so busy, that I am just getting around to putting it in the rig. TonyB convinced me to get around to this sooner rather than later (lol)

I wouldn't say that I've done any critical listening yet, I don't know if I qualify to be a critical listener.(hehehehe) But, my initial impression upon flipping the switch is that the McCormack is a much better amp than the Parasound. The bass is much tighter and controlled and there is a transparency that makes the music present and in the room. In comparision to the Parasound, it seems like a thin layer of something was removed, allowing the music to shine thru.

The McCormack seemed to present a more accurate and pure portrayal of the recording. To my ears, to Parsound seemed slightly warmer and fuller with slight coloration, whereas the McCormack seemed very neutral in its presentation.
The Parasoiund is no slouch by any means and I've become attached to it.


I need a couple more days with the McCormack but at this point I'm am not sure that I prefer it over the Parasound. Objectively, I know that the McCormack is a better amp for all the reasons stated but I really like the flavor of the Parasound.

I'm gonna give my ears time to adjust to the McCormack sound but eventually a decision will be made as to which amp is staying. Can't afford to stockpile equipment so I will not keep both . I need to get back around to listening to music instead of the equipment. Keep your eyes open for the McCormack hitting the market....just sayin!

tonyb

I convinced you ?? LOL.....
Give the amp some time to settle in. I think so far your description of the sound is spot on. Neutral, clear, less veiled. Like I said though, different strokes and all that so after a few weeks throw the Parasound back in and see which floats your boat more.

BTW....I think it was that flyer Cathy mailed you that fostered this review. Picture of you as Humpty dumpty on top of a very tall building, and her kicking you off into little pieces. She saves a ton on gas that way.

cfrizz

What's your wifes name and phone number Tony? I've got a favor to ask of her.

11tsteve

I might be interested on a DNA 1.

tonyb

cfrizz wrote: »

What's your wifes name and phone number Tony? I've got a favor to ask of her.

No No No......your not going to talk her into putting a pillow over my face while I sleep. This one likes me Cathy....so far anyway.


If you do part with that DNA-1, I would encourage anyone who has a least bit of inclination to make a change give it a whirl. There's a reason why these amps are coveted and don't come up that often on the used markets. Dna-500 for the ultimate win if you can find one.

sucks2beme

The McCormack is very true to
The the source. My latest version of a passive pre
Sounds very good, but i still think the tube pre
Wins out due to how it adds some life to the sound.
With either preamp,it has to be the best sand amp
I have had in the rig. Either pre would make most
Happy.

ken brydson

cfrizz wrote: »

What's your wifes name and phone number Tony? I've got a favor to ask of her.

Good luck with that...

dhart86

11tsteve wrote: »

I might be interested on a DNA 1.

pm sent

dhart86

sucks2beme wrote: »

The McCormack is very true to
The the source. My latest version of a passive pre
Sounds very good, but i still think the tube pre
Wins out due to how it adds some life to the sound.
With either preamp,it has to be the best sand amp
I have had in the rig. Either pre would make most
Happy.

The Mc Cormack is a fantastic amp indeed. It is very transparent and dynamic. However, after listening for awhile, I beleive the parasound amp is a better match in my rig for the way I like to hear my music (warm and tubey)

So ....if any of you guys ae interested in the McCormack send me a pm before I list it for sale

vmaxer

This shouldn't last long

dhart86

so ..................I plugged the mcCormack back up one last time before it goes , but this time I swapped out the IC cables to some MIT S1 RCA's I just got in the door from the MIT clearance sale and

WOW.....the change was quite dramatic. Warmed things up a bit from the silver cables that they replaced. The transparency and dynamics and openness are still there but the bottom end and fullness of sound have changed things to the point .....that I don't think the McCormack is leaving right yet . People who say cables don't make any difference don't really know what they don't know!

Next week a friend is bringing his Cary slp 98 pre over and I'm gonna let it drive the McCormack.

Somebody should have jumped on this amp while it was still available.
I'm keeping both amps for now

Scott (msg) I guess you know what is going on right now! ( lol)

msg

hahaha

oh, wow man, I thought you were already using MIT's in this setup!
interesting feedback, too, as this is inline with what I've heard regarding silver cables.


thaaaat's it D... packrattin' it up
lol

MrBuhl

dhart86 wrote: »

. People who say cables don't make any difference don't really know what they don't know!
( lol)

I scrupulously try to stay out of this debate, because for myself there is no debate. I couldn't agree more - I feel bad for folks who don't hear the differences, but I also know changing minds on either side is a lost cause. Glad you still have options.

tonyb

dhart86 wrote: »

so ..................I plugged the mcCormack back up one last time before it goes , but this time I swapped out the IC cables to some MIT S1 RCA's I just got in the door from the MIT clearance sale and

WOW.....the change was quite dramatic. Warmed things up a bit from the silver cables that they replaced. The transparency and dynamics and openness are still there but the bottom end and fullness of sound have changed things to the point .....that I don't think the McCormack is leaving right yet . People who say cables don't make any difference don't really know what they don't know!

Next week a friend is bringing his Cary slp 98 pre over and I'm gonna let it drive the McCormack.

Somebody should have jumped on this amp while it was still available.
I'm keeping both amps for now

Scott (msg) I guess you know what is going on right now! ( lol)

Good man, I was gonna suggest changing the IC's, but...ya know. Thought I'd give you some leeway to make up your own mind.

...AND YES, cables do make a difference.

dhart86

msg wrote: »

hahaha

oh, wow man, I thought you were already using MIT's in this setup!
interesting feedback, too, as this is inline with what I've heard regarding silver cables./quote]

dhart86

Scott ...I bought 2 pairs of MIT S3 from a forum member a little bit ago. Bought one set for a friend, the other, I put between a dac and a prima luna integrated in a 2nd rig
the S3's are perfect there

sucks2beme

My guess is the tube pre will be a winner.