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Vandersteen, DNA & SMcAudio (AKA "Mod Squad")

Just had an "interesting" conversation with SMCAudio (04/10/18).

I had just picked up a pair of cloth Quatros the end of 2017, and picked up DNA 0.5 for those Quatro a couple weeks ago (mid/late March 2018). I had the seller send the amp directly to SMcAudio for the full "Gold" upgrade (+ Balanced inputs, +additional Cardas Binding Posts for bi-wiring). 

What was interesting about the conversation was, without seeing, or conversation with anyone else, I thought I had imagined all on my own, adding a switchable "high-pass filter" for the Quatro's into the amp. During that conversation, I was told that my amp was one of three currently in there for upgrade, of which all three were going to be used on Vandersteen Treo's, Quatros, or Model 5's. Even more interesting, I was told that all three customers had requested the same type "high-pass filter" upgrade for their Vandersteen speakers.

There seems to be a belief that upgraded DNA's are a good match with Vandersteen speakers.... I did this mostly blind. Is there a consensus out here, or is there one just now forming?
kmckenn
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hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,826 posts
 
@kmckenn You are absolutely spot on about what SMc Audio can do with a DNA series amp. And yes, it beckons you to relax and listen to the music for the music’s sake.🎼

What to do next? Get yourself an Omega E-Mat to put inside the door of your electrical service. It "conditions" for lack of a better word, the electricity in your home dropping the noise floor of your audio and video systems. It is remarkable! Search for the thread here about the Omega E-Mat and you can read about the experience of many users.
vonharaland's avatar
vonharaland
51 posts
 
A follow up:
The addition of a Holo Audio Spring 2 Kitsune between the Oppo and the new ARC LS 26, Isopods under all electronics, further refinement of speaker, chair, furniture placement. Better cabling ( Morrow SP5, MA 5, Audio Art, Cullen ).Image, slam, and detail for days. 
Thinking about a tube amp, ARC REF, but no hurry.
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