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McCormack DNA .5 and 1- big difference?

I've got some B&K amps (ST-202 & Sonata EX-442) but a chance to pick up a McCormack DNA at a good price has arisen. Trying to pony up some spending money in case it's a wise choice.

I've lusted after the DNA 1, this model is the .5 however.

Looks like a slightly simplified board design internally, and power doesn't seem to be that reduced- advertised 100wpc/8 ohms for the .5 vs. 150wpc/8 ohms for the 1.

Looks like neither are a dual mono design- which I like in my EX-442.

Would the .5 also run cooler?

Need to power a variety of speakers- Dahlquist DQ-10s, aDs L1230s, AR 9LSIs, Vandersteen 2Cs and Thiel CS 2s.
thedelihaus
brownsfan
1,508 posts
 
Shakey,

Good to hear from you. Yes, I'm still very happy with the amps. Can't beat them for the price.
mcfavre4
85 posts
 
I own a DNA .5 Deluxe and it is hard to fault at all, being musical and revealing yet smooth. I bought it after reading user comparisons with the DNA 1. Most stating in base form, the DNA 1 is very good but the .5 was something a bit more special, even more so if a Deluxe or Rev. upgrade. I personally wouldn't spend more on the DNA 1 unless I really needed more power vs. the .5's refinement.
amadeus
8 posts
 
The DNA .5 is the better sounding amp and it has plenty of power to handle almost anything. I have owned all of the DNAs including the .5, 1 and 2. I have a standard .5 which I think outperforms the 1.0 Deluxe.
ptmconsulting
1,000 posts
 
The .5 always had the reputation of being more refined than the 1. Yes, the 1 has more power, as does the 500. But unless you really need the power I think you would do better with a .5, most especially if you can get it to Rev A status.

The rev A versions of these amps are a whole different breed than the standard or deluxe versions.

Enjoy,
Bob
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
If you can buy a 0.5 Rev a for the price of a 1.0 dlx, then one of the amps is incorrectly priced. The Rev A of either is an entirely different amp and competes way above its "weight".
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