[rydenfan]

Hey Guys. I am contemplating moving from the McCormack DNA-500 to the Bryston 14B-SST. They have similar power ratings but I am wondering if anyone here may be able to compare and contrast these two amps for me? Thanks so much for the help.

Associated gear:

Revel Studio2's
Modwright Transporter
Modwright LS 36.5
McCormack DNA-500
Synergistic Research Tesla series cables

[mcullinan]

Nice System!
I think its going to be a tough race between those 2 contenders.
Mike

[BobM]

With amps at that level I think you need to try them out in your own system and do an A-B to really see if the other amp is going to give you what you are looking for without sacrificing what you already have.

What is it that you think you are missing with the DNA-500?

Bob

PS - if you really are going to get rid of it then PM me (I may be interested).

[mca]

wrong circle

[zybar]

I know the people who frequent this Circle are more tolerant of comparisons to other gear than other Circles might be, but I think you might be better served posting this type of question in a "neutral" Circle such as Audio Central.

Just a thought...

George

[rydenfan]

Fair enough. I will re-post it there.

[rydenfan]

What is it that you think you are missing with the DNA-500?

Bob

It is not so much I feel that I am missing anything, but more of just that general curiosity of if there is more to be achieved? I like that the McCormack has a nice musical nature. I guess I am just curious if the Bryston would have even greater detail/transparency without sounding sterile or analytical.

[AliG]

It is not so much I feel that I am missing anything, but more of just that general curiosity of if there is more to be achieved?

Then you need to read these words of wisdom 
http://www.goodsoundclub.com/Forums/ShowPost.aspx?postID=432#432

[jethro]

We are not only tolerant of comparisons of other brands with Bryston gear - we encourage it.

[zybar]

We are not only tolerant of comparisons of other brands with Bryston gear - we encourage it.

 


George

[dogorman]

I haven't owned a Bryston amp in a long time (for the record, a 4B, c.1990), but I do own a McCormack DNA-HT5, modeled after the DNA-125, and I'm very happy with it. Lots of detail, very quick sound. Not at all warm and fuzzy, if that's your thing.

The one thing you may or may not already know about the McCormack amps: they're all designed with really hot inputs, so that they work a lot better (in my opinion) with passive preamplification, rather than active.

The Bryston I had was stupidly paired with a preamp that had no business in the same rack and, as such, my own experience with the amp was inconclusive. Still, one of my fondest memories as a late-adolescent was going to my local shop and listening to a little Bryston 2B rock the friggin' house down.