[Baumli]

There is exciting news in the pantheon of great phono preamps. I am referring to the new SMc Audio Ultra Micro Phono Drive. You take an original McCormack Micro Phono Drive, send it to the factory at SMc Audio, and for a cost of about $4000 (counting the cost of the original McCormack unit) you get back a phono unit that bests all the competition I have heard. In the tube realm this includes Audio Research and Herron, BAT and Shindo. In solid-state it includes Basis and Avid, Graham Slee and Sutherland. The SMc Audio Ultra Micro Phono Drive does more than best those other brands, it entirely eclipses them. For a complete review of this unparalleled phono preamp, go to http://www.viaticumpressinternational.com/baumli/music.

[Nick B]

Hi Francis
Thanks for the extensive and very informative review of the Ultra MPD ( and your descriptions of Katie
I was wondering if Steve could modify it to your exacting standards and it sure seemed like he was able to accomplish that. I have his micro phono drive, so one of these days I'll have to figure out if I want to spend that kind of money to get it modified to the Ultra level.
It appears that you may be currently using a modified McCormack amp. Pls let me know if that is so and give me the particulars.
All the best,
Nick

[Nick B]

Double post

[Baumli]

Dear Nick,

Yes; Steve McCormack modified and upgraded my McCormack Micro Phono Drive. And yes, he did it to my (very) exacting requests. He attempted to match the various gain settings I wanted on the variable-step volume control, and then after I'd used it a few weeks I sent it back and he did some fine-tuning on the volume control and also on the gain to the tape loop. The magic is in the details, they say, and indeed many details were attended to, but there were other vast circuit innovations which, of course, I covered in the review. It truly is the best-sounding phono stage I have ever heard, and there is probably no major component in an audio system I pay closer attention to.

Truly, I hope the day comes when you can manage to get your unit upgraded to this level. It will be an orgy of music!

All the best,

Francis Baumli

[Baumli]

Dear Nick,

I just realized I didn't quite understand part of your email. You asked me about what "amp" I use. I use a nonmodified McCormack DNA-0.5 "Deluxe" on my satellites, and a McCormack DNA-1 "Deluxe" on my subwoofers. The DNA-1 was upgraded to the "B" level some years ago. I intend (as money allows) to raise them both to the "ultra" level."

Very best,

Francis Baumli

[daves]

Francis, if you do that, then we will start calling you Ultraman.

[Baumli]

Dear Dave,

Well, I do intend to do it, so be prepared to call me "Ultra Man" on those grounds. But meanwhile, I probably deserve the nomenclature already. Think of how chaste I managed to not be during my younger years--which lasted several decades. That was an achievement of ultra dimensions. Think of the ultra level of saintliness I attained in putting up with my first wife. Think of fortunate I am to have all these friends on Gateway Audio Society. There is much in my life that is already at the ultra level. I am grateful.

non plus ultra,

Francis Baumli

 

[daves]

When Scott and Mark called you the "Mother Theresa of classical music critics," I thought it was because you were the Pied Piper leading us unwashed, huddled masses through the fields of offal to sanctified grounds.

I did not realize it was because you earned your living actually critiquing and writing of recordings, having already attained your most exalted holy station merely by withholding mayhem and wanton destruction of your first, now ex, wife. 

[Baumli]

Dear Dave,

I appreciate both your accolades and your wit, but please, please do not suggest I am a Mother Teresa. After all, she was a nun, ergo celibate, and by all reports (and there are many) a virgin her entire life. Surely I am not to be expected to take on that role!

But come to think of it, during that first marriage, I pretty much did (unwillingly) succumb to the role of celibacy. I suppose that counts toward the three criteria for sainthood: celibacy, one verified miracle, and death. So with that first wife there indeed were long periods of celibacy, it was a miracle that I could live with her as long as I did, and being married to her was a living death.

So if anyone is so inclined, they can call the Pope and nominate me for sainthood. I am already qualified.

Sanctimoniously yours,

Francis Baumli

[Nick B]

Dear Nick,

I just realized I didn't quite understand part of your email. You asked me about what "amp" I use. I use a nonmodified McCormack DNA-0.5 "Deluxe" on my satellites, and a McCormack DNA-1 "Deluxe" on my subwoofers. The DNA-1 was upgraded to the "B" level some years ago. I intend (as money allows) to raise them both to the "ultra" level."

Very best,

Francis Baumli

Hi Francis,
I have the McCormack DNA 1 Deluxe modded to Gold level and it's my favorite amp since I got into this hobby over 20 years ago. I Think you would be in for quite a treat if you did the upgrade
Best wishes,
Nick

[Baumli]

Dear Nick,

Thank you for the recommendation. I have heard McCormack amps revised to the "Deluxe" level and indeed they reign supreme, to mine ears. I shall go this route one of these days. Meanwhile, I've upgraded to the "Deluxe" level my DAC, my Micro Phono Drive, my preamp, and next will be my headphone amp. Just about everything on my rack is McCormack, and the rest starts with an "M." There is my Merrill turntable, my Marantz tuner, and my Marchand crossover. I didn't try for this kind of symmetry. It's just the way things worked out. Not all my cables start with an "M" though, so don't think I am overly obsessive about this small coincidence.

However, I must tell you that I think it is perhaps a misnomer to refer to this immersion as a "hobby." I would be more inclined to call it a perversion, an addiction, a psychotic love-affair afflicted with co-dependency, self-effacement, and delusions of grandeur. Fortunately, there also is the ecstasy. And this makes it all worthwhile, both in our mundane world and also in the grand scheme of things.

All the best,

Francis Baumli 

[C17FXR]

Thank you for the recommendation. I have heard McCormack amps revised to the "Deluxe" level and indeed they reign supreme, to mine ears. I shall go this route one of these days. Meanwhile, I've upgraded to the "Deluxe" level my DAC, my Micro Phono Drive, my preamp, and next will be my headphone amp. Just about everything on my rack is McCormack,

Francis
I think you and I are following along the same path. I have several of SMc upgrades, see your other MPD post in the Vinyl Circle, and enjoy the virtues they reveal in my music. I think once you get your MHD/MID (not sure which you have) back from SMc it will be a joy to listen to. I just had mine upgraded for my office system and will never give it up. I had an MID upgraded about two years ago and planned to use it to drive full range speakers but a move has curtailed that for a short time. I did get to use it for a few months as a preamp while my TLC was in the shop getting the Signature upgrades and it performed admirably, just not as open as the TLC. But when used with either my Grado RS-1 or GS-1000i's it is pure addiction. I don't want to take away from MID's transparency or its ability to reveal what's in the recording, it can do that just fine, it just had a little too much drive for me and compressed the soundstage just a little. I admit I didn't experiment with it like I should have, after talking with Steve he mentioned he had built it around the high gain setting and I was using it in the low gain. Anyway still getting my house together after the move and the TLC Signature is back in the system and being set up in a different room now so no chance to compare. But once I get settle I do plan to try it in the tape loop of the TLC and see just what this puppy can do..
Just as a thought not sure if you have been in touch, but Bside123, he is a big SMc guy and part of the GAS as well. I'm surprised he hasn't posted on this thread.
Well enough of my ramblings, must get started on my room.
Robert

[Baumli]

Dear Robert,

I do know Bside 123; he's been around for a lot of years.

I have upgraded my MLD preamp, and my MPD phono preamp now. I intend to upgrade my MHD next. You have the MID (Micro Integrated Drive) and I have the MHD (Micro Headphone Drive). The main difference is that MID has both signal outs and speaker binding posts. The MID indeed is powerful enough to drive speakers, but my son uses a MHD with a McCormack  MPD (Micro Power Drive) which looks like the MID but is a little longer. It puts out 50 wpc into 8 ohms and is really impressive. I would strongly recommend that if you intend to drive speakers, you go that route. The MID just doesn't cut it at very high volumes, or with much bass, although this is very much improved if you get the beefier OPS. The MPD can be picked up used for between $400 and $500 on Audiogon or eBay. And it's compact enough to easily fit in to a desk-top system.

I didn't know that Steve designed the MHD and MID around the high gain setting. He never mentioned this to me, but I haven't heard a difference in quality in the three gain settings.

One difference I certainly did hear: At one time I snagged signal from my MLD preamp from the tape out over to the MHD, and it sounded good. Steve said I might get better sound from one of the signal outs, and he certainly was right. It is considerably better. He says it's because of the buffering. So you might try some experimenting in this area too.

Good luck with all your upgrades.

Good luck to me with affording all these upgrades.

Very best,

Francis Baumli

[C17FXR]

I didn't know that Steve designed the MHD and MID around the high gain setting. He never mentioned this to me, but I haven't heard a difference in quality in the three gain settings.

Sorry, should have said he built the upgrades in my MID Ultra around the high gain. It does have the beefed up EPS just for this reason, I was actually looking at a desk top Cain and Cain speaker at one time but my main system has taken priority over the office system. I was using two Micro Power Drives in a mono configuration there for awhile but have come to like the stereo setup better.

I've been following Steve stuff since the late 90's, even back when I was in the military and couldn't afford his stuff. I think there was a review in Soundstage that got my attention, Working Man Amp if I'm not mistaken.
Funny thing, my first piece of McCormack gear was a Micro Phono Drive, shortly after I got it, I ran across a fellow selling a "Level A" upgraded board so I bought it. I figured it would be the best way to find out if the SMc upgrades were really worth the extra cash. That was back in 2007, eight years later I have McCormack gear all over the place. My wife said I needed to start clearing out the closet.
I know what you mean about the affording the upgrades, but when their good they are hard not to consider.
The bad part is I have a surround setup with all McCormack amplification.  I have to keep myself in check all the time.
So far its only the two channel stuff that has the upgrades.
Anyway look forward to hearing about your MHD when you get it done.

Hope you don't mind me keeping in touch here. Speaking of which I need to contact BSide123, its been awhile.

Robert

 

[bside123]

Speaking of which I need to contact BSide123, its been awhile.

Robert

Dear Robert and McCormack Fans,

Perhaps it's appropriate for me to chime in at this point. Yes, I share your love for McCormack Gear, Steve McCormack and Kris Jeter... a fine bunch of gear and a fine pair of gentlemen with equally fine work.

I bought my first McCormack amps in early 1996. Since then I've remained loyal, even while using other gear. I certainly understand the OP's enthusiasm for his upgraded McCormack components. Perhaps with less words and certainly less eloquently, I once waxed so poetically and with such zeal about my Ultra Platinum Upgraded MLD that one might have accused me of "being on drugs." Really, the upgraded unit was that good and had me feeling ecstatic about the music. Since then, I have continued to follow the path with Steve and Kris and have upgraded several of my McCormack components, all delivering wonderful satisfaction.

I would be happy to participate in a SMc McCormack Circle should one arise. My particular SMc McCormack gear inventory includes:

Two Custom Built DNA 0.5 Monoblocks - previously Steve's own reference gear
One DNA 0.5 - Custom Platinum +
One DNA 0.5 - Gold +
One Micro Line Drive (MLD) Preamp - Ultra Platinum
One Micro Phono Drive (MPD) Preamp - Ultra Platinum

Thusly, I am happily invested in SMc Audio musically, emotionally as well as financially. For my taste, Steve's designs and Kris' work sound right and deliver such fantastic performance for their price points. This is added to by their sterling customer service and personal care. I hope that this contribution adds value to the discussion. Feel free to adjure me to refrain if it doesn't.

Din Dayemi