McCormack DNA 0.5 vs. DNA 2.0 Deluxe

DNA-225 then send it SMc for upgrade 

raydecraene getting to old to handle this beast. dont even want to know what it sounds like, trying to sell it before i do..........im satisfied with my wifes cj system, becoming reacclimated with the cj house sound again, may take it off sale.

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts and advice based on your experiences in our shared pursuit of audio nirvana!

Based on your comments, and some research I have done, I am concluding the following:

DNA 0.5 vs. DNA 2
Keep my DNA 0.5. The DNA 2 may not be the "next level sound" I have the itch for. An SMC upgrade may need to be budgeted for!
Streaming Service
Spotify, although very user friendly, is not the best "High Resolution" source. Tidal or Qobuz is the way to go. I will be signing up for one of them this week.
DAC updgrade
Audphile1, spot on here as a DAC upgrade is next on my list! Just not sure where to go on this….
Kennesawjet, I replaced my ALD1 with the Manley Jumbo Shrimp and love the warmer sound & remote control. I have a feeling you will love your upgraded DNA 500!

I'm so pleased to see a discussion of the great stereo work of Steve McCormack; a most important audio designer,

I bought a DNA-0.5 amp and TLC-1 preamp in the late 90's. I started talking to Pat at SMc Audio about upgrading both a couple years ago. I was 1st going to upgrade the preamp because it lost a channel and had no remote volume control. But then I got into digital streaming and not needing a preamp, instead sold the TLC-1 back to them and upgraded the DNA. Originally I'd bought it for around $1.5K and after putting a couple of grand into the upgrade I have a power amp equal in sonic quality to any in the $6 -8K price range.

Pat is so easy to work with. No desire to up sell anything. Totally committed to providing what the customer needs. He takes all the time you need to decides what you want him to do. I'm so glad I've upgraded this classic piece of stereo equipment. My only regret is that maybe I should have kept the TLC. All I know is my system sounds great and the power amp is a main component I'll never have to replace!!

+1 on the recommendation to drop Spotify and switch to Qobuz. 
as far as the amp upgrade…man that’s a tough one…looking at that system…I would probably add an external DAC between the 851 and a Jumbo Shrimp. The DNA-0.5 is a capable amp and if it drives those KEFs without breaking a sweat, like I said, adding a DAC would be a nice step up, provided you ditch Spotify and get Qobuz

Qobuz & Tidal = CD quality = 14,100 kbps

Spotify Premium = 320 kbps (less than 25% of CD quality)

definitely call SMc , and lose the Spotify, it makes everything else irrelevant...

I will support and add to what you heard from @soix .  There are other reasons not to move forward with the DNA-2.

I have considerable experience with McCormack/SMc Audio having first owned a DNA-2 years ago, then the DNA-500, and currently a pair of their upgraded DNA-1 based monoblocks, their upgraded TLC-1 based preamp, and their DAC-2 in my system.

After they did a fantastic job on my TLC-1 preamp (it is basically a VRE-1), I had them upgrade a DNA-2 amplifier.  The DNA-2 is slightly different from other McCormack amps in that it was designed by David Reich (from Theta) and is a dual mono design.  I owned a standard DNA-2 many years ago and at the time I really enjoyed its big, rich, bold sound (it outputs 100A of peak current!). I sold that first one and years later I purchased another DNA-2 and had it upgraded by SMc Audio.  However, in my case, the DNA-2 upgrade did not provide the SQ I was looking for, so Steve and Patrick at SMc Audio helped me find a buyer and then eventually modified a pair of DNA-1s for me, turning them into 650wpc monoblocks, which sound outstanding (e.g., I chose the upgraded DNA mono amps over Clayton M300 Class A monos and Lamm 1.2 Reference monos, all which I owned).  The DAC-2 is quite recent and shares time in my system with Mojo Audio's Mystique EVO Pro DAC.  You can see pics of my SMc Audio gear (and probably an older pic of the DNA-2 upgrade) on my virtual system, except for the DAC-2 which is not yet on the VS but can be seen in my post dated 11-11-23, on this thread.

Back to the DNA-2, it is mostly no longer supported by SMc Audio so you would not have the ability for future upgrades.  It may be repairable, but maybe not.  I am not sure whether it is still supported by McCormack Virginia (i.e., Conrad Johnson) but you might want to check.  

However, if you like the sound of your DNA-0.5, your better option IMO would be to contact Patrick at SMc about upgrading.  If you also need/want more power, talk about having them build a pair of DNA-0.5 monoblocks for you.  All you need is another DNA-0.5, and it doesn't even need to work since they only use the case and heatsinks!  One of those just sold in September for $650.  A pair of upgraded DNA-0.5 monoblocks should be able to drive just about anything and should sound awesome.  A phone call to Patrick would be well worth your time IMO.  You can tell him that Tim suggested you call.  Good luck with whatever path you choose.

1st how or what do you think of that manley, i hear they have a nice sound.

2nd just got my dna 500 back from cj, jeff retooled it for me, haven’t even open it yet, make me an offer......

I agree with @soix on this one.

But here's my take on the DNA 2. Years ago I had a pair of DNA 1 Deluxe monoblocks driving some magnepans. On a whim I bought a DNA 2 thinking it might be better. Compared to the monos, it was rolled off on the top end and soft on the bottom. I didn't care for it at all, and I have owned several McCormack amps in the past. That one was the least favorite.

There is also the consideration of age with these amps and the known issues that arise.

I’d start by upgrading from Spotify to Qobuz or Tidal.  And I think, given your speakers, you’d be better off upgrading your 0.5 at SMcAudio than buying a higher-level DNA amp as it’s got enough power for your speakers.