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Recommendation for Improvement over McCormack DNA-225

I currently have a McCormack DNA 225 mated with a VTL 2.5 and Line Magnetic 502 DAC powering my Salk Veracity HT3's. I think it sounds really nice but can definitely have some top end harshness, especially at the volumes I like to listen to.  I consider the Salk's are fairly power hungry in the low end (as confirmed with Jim Salk), can anyone recommend a SS amp with as much grunt as the McCormack in the range of 2K plus or minus.  Sure I would like a Pass or Ayre, but those are way above my price bracket.    I've tried Bel Canto Ref1000 mono's and Van Alstine.  The DNA had a better mid range presentation and better bottom end than both, no comparison.  Any other recommendations shy of the DNA 500, which again is over my price range.
128x128dwolek
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
CODA and Pass Labs are very good SS amps.
Clayton Audio also makes very good, smooth SS amps. Hard to find on the used market. You may be able to find a pair of M-100's monoblocks in your price range.
davidpritchard's avatar
davidpritchard
866 posts
 
dwolek:
I hope you will consider putting excellent audio grade fuses in your system. Especially the amp. Also audition audio grade wall A/C outlets.

There are several excellent fuse and outlets available. I personally like the sound using Synergistic Research Black fuses and their Black A/C wall outlets. They are sold with a 30 day return policy and so the cost of trying them in a system is very small - return postage.

I would try this approach before the more costly path of amplifier parts upgrading or auditioning and flipping amplifiers.

Good luck on your audio journey.

David Pritchard


dwolek's avatar
dwolek OP
12 posts
 
I have a dedicated 20A line with a PS Audio receptacle.  Yes I might consider upgrading the fuse.  Might be a cheap experiment.  
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,823 posts
 
If you already have a dedicated line and a PS Audio outlet, I would talk to your tech guy about upgrading your amp.  It's amazing what thoughtful circuit modifications can do for the purity of your amp's sound.
tgonzales
30 posts
 
I had the DNA-225 for many years and thought they were very good.  I moved to the Pass Labs XA60.5, XA100.5 and then XA100.8.  They are markedly better than the DNA-225, specially in imagining and purity of mid range.  With that said, if you have power hungry speakers, I wouldn't recommend the XA series unless you are willing to buy one of the big boys.  Even the XA100s with power hungry magnepans can be pressed.  They don't leave class A but don't produce high level SPLs.
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