@mscott58 I just wanted to let you know that your last post helped me. Thank you for taking time to share it with us. I messaged Steve with a similar question. I am sure he will give me the same answer. Thanks again!
McCormack monoblocks using DNA-HT1 / DNA-0.5
Greetings all! Still thinking about the best McCormack path to take for my main amp.
So I had a crazy idea the other day while sitting in an airport (which I end up doing a lot). I wonder if anyone has ever modified a DNA-HT1 to make it into a dual monoblock stereo amplifier, taking it from a three channel amp where the center gets the bridged output of to two channels and left and right only get one channel each to a stereo amp where left and right get two channels each?
Since the innards of the DNA-HT1 is essentially two DNA-0.5’s (correct?) I would assume it would theoretically be possible to rewire it into what would basically be a set of DNA-0.5 monoblocks set in one chassis. Is this possible? Has anyone ever heard of doing something like this before? Would this leave enough space inside for upgrades to the circuits? Would this then be a true-balanced design?
When I saw SMc's old upgrade literature on the HT1 where he said that the DNA-HT1 "utilizes exactly the same circuitry and parts as the other DNA amps” and “although it is configured as a 3-channel amp on the outside, it is actually a 4-channel amp internally” the old wheels got a-spinning about the possibility of what those four channels could be used for in a stereo set-up. Guess that’s my old engineering degree coming to the surface!
I’ve seen examples of Klaus doing this at Odyssey Audio with his Stratos and Khartago amps, and figured if he can do it then SMc could. This also appears to be a way to build a set of DNA-0.5 monoblocks with a lot less upfront investment, especially given that I can get a used DNA HT1 for only about $150 more than a single used DNA-0.5. Potentially could even wait for a DNA-HT1 DLX.
The main potential downside I can think of is the amount of power the HT1 might be able to draw. If the HT1 only has one power supply, it would likely have a hard time keeping up with the power needs of the two monoblocks in the one chassis. When Klaus does this mod at Odyssey (Stratos Dual Mono) I believe he puts in two power supplies to feed the two monoblocks.
If this upgrade/modification is possible, would using the HT1 with only the left and right channels (leaving the center disconnected) then be the same thing as having a stock DNA-0.5? This would allow me to use the DNA-HT1 for a few months in my 2-channel set-up as I saved up money (and spousal approval, which is harder to find!) for the “operation”. This also would then beg the question of how much this type of modification would cost from SMc? I believe his normal monoblock conversion is $475 or so, but assume this would be more involved.
Final thought is that this might just be too much of a bother and that I could just wait for a pair of used DNA-0.5's or DNA-1's that had already been made into monoblocks so I didn't have to pay full price for the modifications.
Thanks for any and all input/ideas/critiques/etc.
So I had a crazy idea the other day while sitting in an airport (which I end up doing a lot). I wonder if anyone has ever modified a DNA-HT1 to make it into a dual monoblock stereo amplifier, taking it from a three channel amp where the center gets the bridged output of to two channels and left and right only get one channel each to a stereo amp where left and right get two channels each?
Since the innards of the DNA-HT1 is essentially two DNA-0.5’s (correct?) I would assume it would theoretically be possible to rewire it into what would basically be a set of DNA-0.5 monoblocks set in one chassis. Is this possible? Has anyone ever heard of doing something like this before? Would this leave enough space inside for upgrades to the circuits? Would this then be a true-balanced design?
When I saw SMc's old upgrade literature on the HT1 where he said that the DNA-HT1 "utilizes exactly the same circuitry and parts as the other DNA amps” and “although it is configured as a 3-channel amp on the outside, it is actually a 4-channel amp internally” the old wheels got a-spinning about the possibility of what those four channels could be used for in a stereo set-up. Guess that’s my old engineering degree coming to the surface!
I’ve seen examples of Klaus doing this at Odyssey Audio with his Stratos and Khartago amps, and figured if he can do it then SMc could. This also appears to be a way to build a set of DNA-0.5 monoblocks with a lot less upfront investment, especially given that I can get a used DNA HT1 for only about $150 more than a single used DNA-0.5. Potentially could even wait for a DNA-HT1 DLX.
The main potential downside I can think of is the amount of power the HT1 might be able to draw. If the HT1 only has one power supply, it would likely have a hard time keeping up with the power needs of the two monoblocks in the one chassis. When Klaus does this mod at Odyssey (Stratos Dual Mono) I believe he puts in two power supplies to feed the two monoblocks.
If this upgrade/modification is possible, would using the HT1 with only the left and right channels (leaving the center disconnected) then be the same thing as having a stock DNA-0.5? This would allow me to use the DNA-HT1 for a few months in my 2-channel set-up as I saved up money (and spousal approval, which is harder to find!) for the “operation”. This also would then beg the question of how much this type of modification would cost from SMc? I believe his normal monoblock conversion is $475 or so, but assume this would be more involved.
Final thought is that this might just be too much of a bother and that I could just wait for a pair of used DNA-0.5's or DNA-1's that had already been made into monoblocks so I didn't have to pay full price for the modifications.
Thanks for any and all input/ideas/critiques/etc.