McCormack DNA-500 vs Bryston 14B-SST??

rydenfan · « **on:** 26 Jun 2008, 03:18 pm »

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

Toka · « **Reply #1 on:** 26 Jun 2008, 09:19 pm »

The current Bryston line is as transparent and neutral as amps can really get, IMO. It really depends on what sort of "sound" you like...those liking a warmer/more "musical" sound may find a better fit elsewhere. Again, just my opinion (I'd pick the Bryston if that helps any).

Imperial · « **Reply #2 on:** 26 Jun 2008, 10:12 pm »

I'm gonna suggest that you rather get a 20A breaker line
with a true 20A receptacle and a true 20A powercord, for your DNA-500.
Or just having that 20A wall socket also gets you very far I guess!
If your powercable that is up to spec, having it reterminated with a
20A plug at the wall socket end is a very good "mod" indeed.

As suggested by Steve McCormack himself, by the way

!

Imperial

rydenfan · « **Reply #3 on:** 27 Jun 2008, 01:38 am »

Quote from: Imperial on 26 Jun 2008, 10:12 pm

I'm gonna suggest that you rather get a 20A breaker line
with a true 20A receptacle and a true 20A powercord, for your DNA-500.
Or just having that 20A wall socket also gets you very far I guess!
If your powercable that is up to spec, having it reterminated with a
20A plug at the wall socket end is a very good "mod" indeed.

As suggested by Steve McCormack himself, by the way !

Imperial

I am not sure why you think I dont have this??? I have the DNA-500 on a dedicated 20A breaker, 20A outlet, and the Synergistic Testa T3 Power Cord is a 20A IEC cord.

zybar · « **Reply #4 on:** 27 Jun 2008, 01:48 am »

The DNA-500 is a great amp, but you can do better or at the very least get something that sounds different.

Ryderfan, what are you looking to improve on?

When I replaced my DNA-500, I was looking to get a more fleshed out sound that was a little fuller and not quite as lean. I was also looking to improve the amp's sense of space and/or depth.

Ultimately, I went to the BAT VK-600SE (still the best ss amp I have owned) to get these things.

George

rydenfan · « **Reply #5 on:** 27 Jun 2008, 01:58 am »

Quote from: zybar on 27 Jun 2008, 01:48 am

The DNA-500 is a great amp, but you can do better or at the very least get something that sounds different.

Ryderfan, what are you looking to improve on?

When I replaced my DNA-500, I was looking to get a more fleshed out sound that was a little fuller and not quite as lean. I was also looking to improve the amp's sense of space and/or depth.

Ultimately, I went to the BAT VK-600SE (still the best ss amp I have owned) to get these things.

George

George, thanks for the reply. I find the DNA-500 to be a very "musical" amp. But I am looking for a greater sense of transparency and detail while not becoming sterile or analytical. I feel like I could also use a little bit better bass control.

AliG · « **Reply #6 on:** 27 Jun 2008, 02:30 am »

Quote from: rydenfan on 27 Jun 2008, 01:58 am

Quote from: zybar on 27 Jun 2008, 01:48 am
The DNA-500 is a great amp, but you can do better or at the very least get something that sounds different.

Ryderfan, what are you looking to improve on?

When I replaced my DNA-500, I was looking to get a more fleshed out sound that was a little fuller and not quite as lean. I was also looking to improve the amp's sense of space and/or depth.

Ultimately, I went to the BAT VK-600SE (still the best ss amp I have owned) to get these things.

George

George, thanks for the reply. I find the DNA-500 to be a very "musical" amp. But I am looking for a greater sense of transparency and detail while not becoming sterile or analytical. I feel like I could also use a little bit better bass control.

Pass-Lab sits between DNA-500 and Bryston 4B-SST when it comes to 'trade-off' between musicality and transparency.

rydenfan · « **Reply #7 on:** 27 Jun 2008, 02:38 am »

Quote from: AliG on 27 Jun 2008, 02:30 am

Pass-Lab sits between DNA-500 and Bryston 4B-SST when it comes to 'trade-off' between musicality and transparency.

With the Pass Labs operating heavily in Class A it would be way too warm inside my stand. Otherwise that is probably the amp I would going with. George's suggestion of the VK 600SE is certainly an interesting idea

zybar · « **Reply #8 on:** 27 Jun 2008, 02:41 am »

Quote from: rydenfan on 27 Jun 2008, 02:38 am

Quote from: AliG on 27 Jun 2008, 02:30 am
Pass-Lab sits between DNA-500 and Bryston 4B-SST when it comes to 'trade-off' between musicality and transparency.

With the Pass Labs operating heavily in Class A it would be way too warm inside my stand. Otherwise that is probably the amp I would going with. George's suggestion of the VK 600SE is certainly an interesting idea

The BAT VK-600SE also gets very warm and needs to be in the open.

George

rydenfan · « **Reply #9 on:** 27 Jun 2008, 02:42 am »

Quote from: zybar on 27 Jun 2008, 02:41 am

The BAT VK-600SE also gets very warm and needs to be in the open.

George

Damn.

Any thoughts on the Spectron Musician latest edition??

zybar · « **Reply #10 on:** 27 Jun 2008, 02:42 am »

What about the Spectron Musician III SE?

One of our AC members is selling one:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1219604192

George

rydenfan · « **Reply #11 on:** 27 Jun 2008, 02:46 am »

Quote from: zybar on 27 Jun 2008, 02:42 am

What about the Spectron Musician III SE?

One of our AC members is selling one:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1219604192

George

Great minds think alike

Does anyone here have experience with this amp?

ted_b · « **Reply #12 on:** 27 Jun 2008, 03:05 am »

Yes, I have a demo Mark 2 version inhouse and am loving it so far. It is quite musical and a nice combo with my SP Tech Revelations. I will be able to a/b with my DNA-500 once I pull it out of the system next week. In the meantime I'm loving the sounds it emits.

rydenfan · « **Reply #13 on:** 27 Jun 2008, 03:08 am »

Very interesting, Ted!! Too soon to make a comparison to how your system sounds now in comparison to with the 500?

ted_b · « **Reply #14 on:** 27 Jun 2008, 03:13 am »

Quote from: rydenfan on 27 Jun 2008, 03:08 am

Very interesting, Ted!! Too soon to make a comparison to how your system sounds now in comparison to with the 500?

Yeah, because too many things have changed during the demo...the 36.5 needed to go back to Dan, etc. Once it returns and I've got a few days with some consistency then i'll post.

Imperial · « **Reply #15 on:** 27 Jun 2008, 09:28 am »

Quote from: rydenfan on 27 Jun 2008, 01:38 am

Quote from: Imperial on 26 Jun 2008, 10:12 pm
I'm gonna suggest that you rather get a 20A breaker line
with a true 20A receptacle and a true 20A powercord, for your DNA-500.
Or just having that 20A wall socket also gets you very far I guess!
If your powercable that is up to spec, having it reterminated with a
20A plug at the wall socket end is a very good "mod" indeed.

As suggested by Steve McCormack himself, by the way !

Imperial

I am not sure why you think I dont have this??? I have the DNA-500 on a dedicated 20A breaker, 20A outlet, and the Synergistic Testa T3 Power Cord is a 20A IEC cord.

Ok,

my bad ...
I guess I should have peeked a bit on your cable choice before making any fast assumptions..
Evidently you do your homework when building your system! Very good!!!

Imperial

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #16 on:** 27 Jun 2008, 11:39 am »

My bet is that at the end of the day unless they were side-by-side, we're talking about the variations one can expect in the taste of beer from the same six pack.

Someday I might try the Bat or the Spectron for kicks, but I love my Pass for its total control over all the frequencies. It is not sterile. I'd bet the McC is similar. Knowing that you want to change and that getting it out of your head, as with most of use, will be difficult then you'll have to choose one major honkin' heavy amp to try at this point and accept the fact it may not be much of an improvement, only diffferent as some have pointed out. You're talking about hauling in a 150 lb. amp that will not fit in your rack. Given that, I don't see many choices worth trying then except for the Spectron which will fit.

PTB has this one for sale: http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1219604192

I wish we had enough wherewithall to have a pool of equipment to ship around for evaluations. That would be neat.

rydenfan · « **Reply #17 on:** 27 Jun 2008, 12:29 pm »

I have contacted him so we will see how it goes...

arthurs · « **Reply #18 on:** 27 Jun 2008, 12:33 pm »

PTB (Guy) is a good dude who takes great care of his gear....and I have heard that very amp in my system, it's really a nice piece, the low end is probably the best I've heard in my room....

Double Ugly · « **Reply #19 on:** 27 Jun 2008, 02:34 pm »

Quote from: arthurs on 27 Jun 2008, 12:33 pm

PTB (Guy) is a good dude who takes great care of his gear....

I wouldn't hesitate a second to buy from Guy. I wish I could have purchased his amp (really want monos again), but extenuating circumstances prevent the purchase at this time.