I've owned about a dozen McCormack products over the last 25 years, both stock and modded. In agreeance with rsf507 you do want to keep them to get your money's worth, but high end audio is not an investment, you almost always lose $ down the road. Selling the DNA-1 and buying another amp may or not reach your "audio nirvana" then you'll probably lose twice. I can say with proven experience, having owned a stock DNA-1 and a gold upgrade at the same time, there was a huge difference in sound quality, clarity, soundstage, etc. SMc upgraded equipment does resell quite well as I have experience on multiple occasions.
A couple years ago I sent my pair of DNA-225 amps to SMc to have converted to mono amps and have them upgraded along with my LD-2 preamp to silver status. It was during the holidays so it did take a few weeks longer but Patrick will call and/or email you as much as you like to give you play by play updates and recommendations. When completed, Steve with audition them for his final approval and he may call you himself or he may answer the phone when you call. Upon receiving the equipment back I can testify that both the $ and effort were well spent. Without even burn in time, these amps could hold their own against Pass, Rowland or Levinson, all whom I've had experience with.
One more note, in my last conversation with Patrick I believe he told me that they now had the ability to upgrade and work on their faceplates, either etching or laser to redo the often problematic silk screen lettering on some of their older products, or maybe to just fancy them up a little. We all know that the DNA's never won any beauty pageants, but then neither did Mike Tyson.
A couple years ago I sent my pair of DNA-225 amps to SMc to have converted to mono amps and have them upgraded along with my LD-2 preamp to silver status. It was during the holidays so it did take a few weeks longer but Patrick will call and/or email you as much as you like to give you play by play updates and recommendations. When completed, Steve with audition them for his final approval and he may call you himself or he may answer the phone when you call. Upon receiving the equipment back I can testify that both the $ and effort were well spent. Without even burn in time, these amps could hold their own against Pass, Rowland or Levinson, all whom I've had experience with.
One more note, in my last conversation with Patrick I believe he told me that they now had the ability to upgrade and work on their faceplates, either etching or laser to redo the often problematic silk screen lettering on some of their older products, or maybe to just fancy them up a little. We all know that the DNA's never won any beauty pageants, but then neither did Mike Tyson.