Upgrade McCormack or...

Great responses -- I had no idea there were so many McCormack fans on Agon!  

@soix Thanks for your suggestion to check out the Clayton Audio M70 monos -- they do look like an interesting replacement, although I have to wonder why the owner is selling them so soon.  If you or anyone else on this thread has heard that amp and can offer a comparison with the DNA-1 Deluxe (either original or upgraded), I'd really appreciate it!

Thanks to all for the recent responses to my August post.  Following up, I decided to bite the bullet in October, and sent my amp in for an upgrade.  Patrick was extremely sensitive to my cost issues, and only recommended special additions when he was certain they would help my present setup and future expectations.  I drove away last week with a Gold Plus upgrade, including Steve's new Gravity Base Junior; it sounds amazing -- now I just need to think about what goes next (and when I can afford it)!

 Thanks @soix!  Patrick and I eventuality decided that the best package for my system and budget was: Gold Special upgrade, IXYS bridge rectifiers, Jupiter bypass complement (capacitors), Gravity Base Junior upgrade and Furutech Orange input fuse. I don’t want to get into the cost, but suffice to say I thought it was very fair considering how much work went into it. The most obvious improvements are noise and clarity — the phrase you often hear about a”veil being lifted” describes it well. When I’m listening to a well recorded guitar or piano piece, it’s as though the instrument is in the room with me. Soundstage is excellent too, although it was excellent before. Hope that helps — good luck with your upgrade!

@mitch2 Glad you're enjoying your upgraded Ultra-G DNA-1 monoblocks -- at one point in this thread, you said you'd get back when you had a chance to compare them with your Clayton M300 monos; how did that turn out?

@millercarbon +1

@mitch2 +1

I had my DNA-1 upgraded two years ago, and wouldn't trade it for anything.  Mitch2, thanks for your response on the Clayton monos (better late than never) -- as you can see, I stuck with McCormack and have been very glad I did.  Also, I agree with your advice to djsrubin re working with Steve.  He is a rare find, and gives wonderful customer support. 

@muskyman1 Congratulations on your choice -- I'm sure you won't be disappointed!  Please let us know how it sounds with your Salks -- what are you using for a pre, and do you use a DAC?  Happy New Year, Casey

 

@unsound I know how you feel, unsound, it looks like he wrote that without reading your post.  Apparently, his sh*t seems to have written itself!  All I can say is let it go, and have a Happy New Year.

@patrico200 I understand your fear of shipping the rebuilt amp cross-country.  All I can say is call Steve and Patrick -- they have a lot of experience with such things, and if they think they can ship it to you safely, I wouldn't doubt it.  Good luck, and have a Happy New Year.