2. amps-preamps
  3. 181722-96

Don’t buy used McCormack DNA 1990s amps

This is a public service announcement.  There are some yahoos on other sites selling 1990s McCormack DNA amps, sometimes at ridiculous prices.  While they’re great amps, and I happily owned a DNA 0.5 RevA for 20 years, they’re all gonna fatally fail.  Why?  Because their input board is at the end of its useful life, and when it fails your amp is dead and not repairable by anyone — not even SMcAudio.  It’s a boat anchor.  The only option is to sell it for scraps or get an SMcAudio upgrade that’ll cost around $2000.  Given my love of my amp I chose to do full upgrades given what else I could’ve gotten for the same same price and just got it back and will forward thoughts if anyone cares.  But the purpose of this post is to warn off any prospective buyers of a circa 1990s DNA amp that it’ll fatally fail soon, so unless you get a great price and plan on doing the SMcAudio upgrades just avoid these amps on the used market.  You’ve been warned. 

soix

Showing 4 responses by seattlerepairhobby

seattlerepairhobby
4 posts
 

Steve still the best place to upgrade and recap if you still want to stick with the best sound from DNA. Don’t listen to bs Soix.

 

I have good enough skill to repair and upgrade Krell, Adcom, DnA-1 and others

seattlerepairhobby
4 posts
 

the input board, output and PSU are repairable for me. You need to have proper schmatic and understand how it work.

seattlerepairhobby
4 posts
 

Hello Mccormack DNA folks,

I have 3 DNA-1 since last June 2024 till now.

I recapped the first one by my self with best sound stage and PSU capacitors Nichicon brand and sound is amazing. Then I upgraded it to Deluxe version by myself.

The second DnA1 deluxe I bought as not working or $300. Then repaired and recapped it to have two deluxe and they play similar with original sound. 
 

The third one I bought was in last Dec 2024 as Deluxe Rev.A for just $800. Then I recapped and beeak in. Sound is more bass and more treble than original Rev.A (Nichicon KG 6800uF /100V.

I had best Nichicon KG and others for each stage of the main board, output and psu.
 

Before recapped, I contacted CJ and Steve SMC for price but too much and out of my budget. I have 30 years repair skill but in hi-end sound is totally different. Luckily I have a friend from Greece whom has 35 years experience in sound stage with capacitors sound affects. Thanks John.

I have preamp with Krell KRc-3 and Phantom III (arriving soon). Before that I had Adcom and Aragon 24K and Krell Kav-250p. 

now I have 3 “brand new” DNA-1 that can play for another 20-30 years

seattlerepairhobby
4 posts
 

Don’t listen to bs Soix. All Mccormack is be able to repair, recap and upgrade if you have good skill. DnA-1 deluxe and Rev-A have best sound without break your bank.
 

 

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