McCormack DNA-1 Gold or DNA-225

gdnrbob....the ebay amp is the one I went with....thanks for the tip. Everything just fell into place today, he accepted my offer, and the seller who is a very cool guy, lives about 30 min from SMC and took it over to Steve today.

Steve said it was a mono amp and I missed that, wasn't in description but it's a bridged mono so he said converting to stereo would not be a problem.

Going to get the gold revision along with the upgraded transformer.

I wasn't looking at a DNA-1 but seems like this is the one to go with. Can hardly wait to get it back and running.

Wanted to update this, as mentioned earlier, it will be a DNA-1 with a fresh Gold revision, along with the plitron transformer, wire upgrade, diodes, and maybe something smaller along the way...but for the most part that's where we're at.

Been itching to try one of these amps for awhile, little more than I planned as far as budget but the consensus is it will be money well spent.....can hardly wait now....:).

I wanted to update this, as the amp will be shipped this week. I ended up moving up to the Ultra Platinum DNA-1. With the price of the build, I contemplated an integrated setup but for the $$$ it seems like the DNA-1 will be well worth it, can't wait.

Well, the amp arrived a few weeks ago...I've only managed to get about 10-15 hours of listening so far based on a crazy work schedule.

First off, this a finely crafted amp. I also didn't expect the size as I've only seen some pics of it, fit and finish are top notch.

The first few familiar recordings I played, I was immediately taken in by the smoothness and clarity this amp provides. Granted I need to give it time to bloom, but so far it's taken the soundstage to another level.

All the instruments and vocals seem to have increased clarity in the quiet passages, the highs are not harsh in the least bit, very smooth and natural. The light, delicate taps of the ride cymbals have pronounced decay time, it's quick when it needs to be, and slow and smooth as well when required.

I was able to hear the wood of the guitar at times before, depended on the recording, but for the most part it was in the background, albeit slightly hidden. Now it's there and I will contribute that to the lower noise floor and just the overall low-level dynamics this amp puts out.

The bass is full and tight, the amp just doesn't seem to run out of steam and nothing gets smeared along the way when you turn it up.

Overall, it's like a big, dark, liquid hole in my listening room filled with holographic instruments. The big (well-modded) SDA's already provide a huge soundstage, but the DNA allows me to step right in front of it. I won't say it's like lifting a veil, it's more like being right up to the stage. Everything appears larger and clearer,  but not overwhelmingly so, this amp just seems to do everything so well. 

I would like to swap the fuses for some Synergestic red or blue in the very near future after it gets some hours on it, but for now I want to let it open up first.