Amp upgrade recommendations

Asi Tek, sorry for the confusion. My intention was to compare the DNA-1 to the DNA-125 and then the DNA-2 to the DNA-225 respectively. This, I believe, is the correct comparison for these older models to the newer.

Glad you like your 225 so much.

Thanks. No problem!

DNA-225 is a great amp!

Consider the Classe line, the CA-201, CA-301, or their CAM monoblocks. These amps receive some of their big brother's Class 'A' technology. There is no need to have them modified, they are some of the finest sounding amps right out of the box (except for their break in period).

At the risk of nit picking I'd like to add a minor addition to Stehno and Asi_tek's dialog: Based on discussions with Steve McCormack and a variety of others the SMc Rev. B modded amps are "similar" to the newer production models. That's because several of the Rev. B upgrades were incorporated in the new products. Calling them "equal" is a bit of a misnomer as they do not sound the exactly the same. Which is better, of course, will depend on the listener's preferences and the associated gear.

For more information do a search on Audiogon; there's been a lot of commentary on the entire DNA series as well as the SMcAudio mods.

Stehno, If I sent a DNA-2 LAE to SMc Audio for any revision, whether it's a C, B, or A, I would expect a significantly improved amp in return. I do not think they would offer the revision if they were sending back an amp that was equal to what the owners had in the first place. If you put an additional $2500 into an already excellent amp, you should expect to be amazed with the result.
The cost of the Rev A,B,or C are the same for either a Deluxe or LAE because the stock factory upgraded parts that set the LAE apart from the Deluxe are scrapped. The DNA-2 Standard (of which there were few made)costs more for the upgrade because it takes more parts and labor to bring it up to the level of the other two. The most common DNA-2 is the Deluxe.
Whatever model they start with, all Rev A amps are essentially the same. That is, not taking the Gold options into consideration.

Peter Moncrieff, in that IAR review, compared the LAE to a DNA-2 Standard, as well as many other amps from other manufacturers. He did not have a DNA-2 Deluxe on hand for that review. What I have been told is there is a greater improvement in a Rev A than the difference between the LAE and Deluxe. Still, it would be a difficult decision to send an LAE back for an upgrade since it's already an excellent amp and having a larger investment in it already. I would pick up a cheaper DNA-2 Dlx or Std and send it back for the upgrade instead.