New Parasound 2250 or Used McCormack DNA-1?

cheeg
cheeg Posts: 11
in 2 Channel Audio
I've heard great things about the McCormack DNA-1, but it sounds like Steve McCormack is not servicing or upgrading them anymore. Any thoughts out there on a clean but well-used DNA-1 (the original model, not the Deluxe or Rev 1) versus a new Parasound 2250?
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  • hochpt21
    hochpt21 Posts: 5,423
    The DNA 0.5 bested the HCA 1500a in my system if that helps at all.
    2 ChannelTurntable - VPI Classic 2/Ortofon 2M BlueAmplification - Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II, Parks Audio Budgie PhonoSpeakers - GoldenEar Triton 17.2 Home TheaterDenon AVR-X3300W; Rotel RMB-1066; Klipsch RP-280F's, Klipsch RP-450C, Polk FXi3's, Polk RC60i; Dual SVS PB 2000's; BenQ HT2050; Elite Screens 120"Man CaveTurntable - Pro-Ject 2.9 Wood/Grado GoldAmplification - Dared SL2000a, McCormack DNA 0.5 DeluxeCD: Cambridge AudioSpeakers - Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary; LSiM 703; SDA 2A
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,962
    cheeg wrote: »
    I've heard great things about the McCormack DNA-1, but it sounds like Steve McCormack is not servicing or upgrading them anymore. Any thoughts out there on a clean but well-used DNA-1 (the original model, not the Deluxe or Rev 1) versus a new Parasound 2250?

    SMC works on McCormack amps, and also Conrad Johnson, since they bought 'em up.

    I'd personally take a McCormack over a Parasound any day, and that's not a dig on Parasound as they have fine amps themselves. The McCormacks are simply better.
    HT SYSTEM-
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  • MrBuhl
    MrBuhl Posts: 2,419
    edited December 2017
    McCormack all the way for me though as I have posted previously I've not heard the Parasound.
    I think Conrad Johnson bought out the McCormack brand - Conrad Johson used to servcice them as well as Steve did at SMC. CJ may have stopped, not sure, but I as far as I'm aware SMC has been working on these amps at least very recently. I have one that was upgraded just last year, and another Polkie just received his back in the last month or two as I recalI,
    I have the DNA-1 Standard, and it is no slouch whatsoever. I'm sure the upgrades are worth it, but I can say you are unlikely to know what you're missing until you hear them. A fantastic amp.
    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
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  • cheeg
    cheeg Posts: 11
    Thank you all for your responses! A follow-up question: if SMC and Conrad Johnson is no longer servicing them, as MrBuhl suggests, is there a reliable alternative short of an expensive upgrade?
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  • gmcman
    gmcman Posts: 1,806
    edited December 2017
    cheeg wrote: »
    Thank you all for your responses! A follow-up question: if SMC and Conrad Johnson is no longer servicing them, as MrBuhl suggests, is there a reliable alternative short of an expensive upgrade?

    I don't believe Mr Buhl wasn't suggesting Steve wasn't working on the amps, just not at the CJ location.
    I just received my DNA-1 back from SMC, they performed a Platinum Ultra upgrade. I would say you are safe.
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  • MrBuhl
    MrBuhl Posts: 2,419
    ^^ Correct - sorry for any confusion ^^
    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






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