[geowak]

Just wanted to know if anyone has heard any of the upgraded DNA series McCormack Amps from SMc audio? Are they worth the parts and price? About $2700 to $3000 per amp.

The platinum upgrade will get you;

1. Carbon/Siltech wiring
2. ARC- Circuitry
3. Mono Block conversion
4. Plitron toroid transformer
4. Mills, Vishay and Caddock resistors
5. Black Gate, Gold Tune, Muse, DynamiCap and RTI capacitors
6. Neutik balanced XLR inputs
7. WBT unbalanced RCA outputs
8. Harris and IR soft-recovery diodes (input and output stages)
9. Shunyata Ac wiring
10 MusiCoat treatment

[Chris Adams]

I owned a DNA-1 several years ago with what is now the Platinum upgrade. From what I remember, it was wide open, detailed (but not etched), relaxed and grain free. Very easy to listen to. I listened on modified Acoustat 2+2s and a pair of high efficiency Decware High Definition Towers.

[bside123]

Just wanted to know if anyone has heard any of the upgraded DNA series McCormack Amps from SMc audio? Are they worth the parts and price? About $2700 to $3000 per amp.

The platinum upgrade will get you;

1. Carbon/Siltech wiring
2. ARC- Circuitry
3. Mono Block conversion
4. Plitron toroid transformer
4. Mills, Vishay and Caddock resistors
5. Black Gate, Gold Tune, Muse, DynamiCap and RTI capacitors
6. Neutik balanced XLR inputs
7. WBT unbalanced RCA outputs
8. Harris and IR soft-recovery diodes (input and output stages)
9. Shunyata Ac wiring
10 MusiCoat treatment

Hi,

I have a few McCormack components upgraded to the Platinum level and above: Mono Block Amps, DNA 0.5, Preamp and Phono Stage.  I am extremely happy with the results. Steve McCormack and his Chief Tech and General Manager, Kris Jeter, are outstanding and upright people. Feel free to PM me for more info.

Best regards.

 

[Atlplasma]

Let us know if you go for the upgrades and how they turn out. I just purchased a used McCormack DNA 0.5 Deluxe and am very happy with the stock sound. Of course, I'm always open to improving on things. 

[BobM]

The upgrades are expensive if you are ding them to something you own. However they are greatly discounted if you can find a used upgraded component for sale on Audiogon. That is the path I would take if looking to purchase one.

These mods are well worthwhile and bring a good sounding amp to a great sounding level, but you will likely not recoup your out of pocket when reselling it, if that is a consideration.