McCormack DNA 0.5 gold special $1450

11tsteve

My DNA 0.5, upgraded by SMc audio last February, and signed by Steve on 2-24-2016. The only parts not touched by the process were the chassis, the power transformer, and the output FETs. The entire board was replaced and built from the ground up. The upgrades were $1550 plus shipping both ways.
I think I would rate chassis condition 8/10? it is not perfect.

rated 100W/ 8 ohms 200W 4 ohms

I have a 6 foot Pangea AC-9 I can include, if needed. It is not a flexible cord, and heavy. So it will increase shipping weight.





Buyer pays for shipping and Paypal (only) fees. Lower 48 only. I will estimate a cost of $75-100 to ship, based on prices when the amp went to and from SMc.
100 posts a requirement for buyer.

MrBuhl

That is one helluva deal.

vmaxer

Wish I could.

11tsteve

MrBuhl wrote: »

That is one helluva deal.

it is? I honestly wasn't sure how to price this.... I have close to $2400 into this amp. Meh. I'm glad its resonable.

MrBuhl

I think you're fine, I guess demand will tell but with Gold Revisions done just a couple months ago, this is significantly less than brand new for a Standard, and this amp is brand new now, and with all the upgrades above even a Deluxe version!

You should link the thread from the upgrades to this thread as well.

I'm thinking about it myself honestly. Almost too good to pass up!

dhart86

I'll take it.....PM coming

tonyb

atta boy....freakin' nice amp here kids at a steal of a price. I expect some impressions posted when she hits your door.....ok, maybe an hour after it hits your door. lol

11tsteve

no PM yet.

MrBuhl

C'mon @dhart86 save me some money... please!

dhart86

MrBuhl wrote: »

C'mon @dhart86 save me some money... please!

you're up Mr. Buhl.....After further review.....I didn't have quite enough coin to pull this off....would love to have this amp. Sorry Steve for me being a little over zealous

kharp1

Put me in line

tonyb

Dang man, one of you guys better snag this amp. Especially with the upgrades done to it. Don't let those low wattage numbers fool you either, she'll perform like any 200 watter out there. If your coming off a Parasound or B&k, Carver, Adcom, or the likes, you'll be in for a treat.

vmaxer

tonyb wrote: »

Dang man, one of you guys better snag this amp. Especially with the upgrades done to it. Don't let those low wattage numbers fool you either, she'll perform like any 200 watter out there. If your coming off a Parasound or B&k, Carver, Adcom, or the likes, you'll be in for a treat.

Agree, a great deal - would buy it in a minute if I could.

kharp1

I'm pretty happy with the Marsh, and I've yet to put the Aleph in the system. I'm going to be running 2 systems eventually, just not sure if the DNA would out perform the Marsh to justify the 3x price difference. I've long been interested in the McCormack.

MrBuhl

Sent you a PM @11tsteve

pkquat

How did I miss this? . No doubt about this being common ground But what are they attached too? It looks like the connection is floating.

11tsteve

a star ground.
Currently waiting for a reply from dhart86.

11tsteve

there is still a conversation.

pkquat

I meant is the star ground mounted or floating supported by the ?solid copper? wires. I don't see a post or bracket.

11tsteve

pkquat wrote: »

I meant is the star ground mounted or floating supported by the ?solid copper? wires. I don't see a post or bracket.

sorry, I didn't understand. Yes, the center is floating.

This is on hold until tomorrow. Thanks for the patience everyone.

11tsteve

I was trying to work with dhart86, but it isn't going to happen at this time. Sorry for the delays.
MrBuhl is up next, PM sent.

kharp1

I'm going to pass at this time, need to focus on another area. Would love to pick one up eventually and give it a whirl. Thanks.

footwedge

Put me in line

11tsteve

Working with MrBuhl, will take until Saturday.

11tsteve

sale pending.

kharp1

Jealous, should have stayed in line.

11tsteve

The amp is sold to MrBuhl.

dhart86

Congrats MrBuhl.....I would have loved to get this amp.

Anyone know the difference between this Gold Rev and the Rev A?

MrBuhl

@dhart86 - as I read this, Revision A from SMc - the highest level upgrade: (which includes all of revision C & B ) our amplifier’s input stage, DC-servo, and biasing sections are significantly improved, yielding important sonic benefits. The DCservo amplifier is actually eliminated, and a new approach is used to balance the DC behavior of the amp.
“Rev A” involves extensive rebuilding of all boards and wiring

• Cardas deluxe binding posts
• Cardas RCA jacks
• Wonder Wire internal board-to-board wiring
• Van den Hul output wiring, including our improved termination method
• Improved grounding topology for reduced noise and blacker background
implemented with Van den Hul hybrid wire for best performance
• Upgrade of virtually every passive component in both the audio path and
power supply using resistors from Mills, Vishay, and Caddock, and capacitors
from Black Gate and Nichicon Muse and TRT DynamiCap in addition to
numerous other high-performance parts
• Upgrade of all distributed power supply capacitors to Nichicon Gold Tune
• Upgrade of all emitter resistors with Mills precision wirewound parts

SMc does not list a gold level specifically, and all references to this level I've found refer to "Gold Level Rev A" - so I assume that Gold and Rev A are synonymous.

Thanks for the Congrats, going to have to move the DNA-1 (and a few other things) to pay for it but I couldn't pass on the chance for the pinnacle of Steve's work, even for a few less (but uber high quality) watts. It did cost me a new Coach purse for the wife though LOL!

11tsteve

Mine does not have the dc servo upgrade, it has the original power transformer, and output transisters. Everthing else was replaced/upgraded, including brand new main board, and tweaks Steve had come up with in the circuit design.

dhart86

MrBuhl wrote: »

@dhart86 - as I read this, Revision A from SMc - the highest level upgrade: (which includes all of revision C & B ) our amplifier’s input stage, DC-servo, and biasing sections are significantly improved, yielding important sonic benefits. The DCservo amplifier is actually eliminated, and a new approach is used to balance the DC behavior of the amp.
“Rev A” involves extensive rebuilding of all boards and wiring

• Cardas deluxe binding posts
• Cardas RCA jacks
• Wonder Wire internal board-to-board wiring
• Van den Hul output wiring, including our improved termination method
• Improved grounding topology for reduced noise and blacker background
implemented with Van den Hul hybrid wire for best performance
• Upgrade of virtually every passive component in both the audio path and
power supply using resistors from Mills, Vishay, and Caddock, and capacitors
from Black Gate and Nichicon Muse and TRT DynamiCap in addition to
numerous other high-performance parts
• Upgrade of all distributed power supply capacitors to Nichicon Gold Tune
• Upgrade of all emitter resistors with Mills precision wirewound parts

SMc does not list a gold level specifically, and all references to this level I've found refer to "Gold Level Rev A" - so I assume that Gold and Rev A are synonymous.

Thanks for the Congrats, going to have to move the DNA-1 (and a few other things) to pay for it but I couldn't pass on the chance for the pinnacle of Steve's work, even for a few less (but uber high quality) watts. It did cost me a new Coach purse for the wife though LOL!

Thanks for the info on the Rev A. Hope you are enjoying the amp & the wife likes her Coach bag.

When you have listened for a while ....I'd like to know what the sonic differences are between your new and old McCormack(s)