River251: There is a DNA 0.5 here on A'Gon right now with upgrades by Steve McCormack, asking $649, which looks like a whole lot of amp value for the $. Jmcrogan2 is indeed correct that the 10:1 impedance "rule of thumb" should be taken with a large grain of salt, and in many instances should be much higher. When I paired the CJ Act 2 Series (500 Ohm output impedance) with McIntosh MC452 (22 KOhm input), there was a loss of air, high frequency detail and bass roll off, such that neither of these great components showed its true colors.
Pass amp vs McCormack with Silver/Gold upgrades...
OK, I'm trying again. My purchases in the past have benefited and been guided from help here, and I hope my first SS amp purchase might benefit similarly. I've read a lot and my interest has focused on two amps (thought the Blue Circles are intriguing).
For the cost of buying a DNA-1 or .5 and getting $1000 to $2000 of upgrades, I can buy a pair of used Pass Aleph amps (more or less) such as the ones on Ebay right now. I have not heard either, but am going on lots and lots of reading.
Is anybody able to contrast the sound I might get with these two options? Or make an educated guess? Uneducated guess? Toss a coin?
Any comments would be sincerely appreciated.
Thanks,
Jim
For the cost of buying a DNA-1 or .5 and getting $1000 to $2000 of upgrades, I can buy a pair of used Pass Aleph amps (more or less) such as the ones on Ebay right now. I have not heard either, but am going on lots and lots of reading.
Is anybody able to contrast the sound I might get with these two options? Or make an educated guess? Uneducated guess? Toss a coin?
Any comments would be sincerely appreciated.
Thanks,
Jim