Don’t buy used McCormack DNA 1990s amps

Great; another "expert" extrapolating from a sample size of 1.

Audio Research Corp will not repair their solid state amps. They say it is not possible. 

A stupid story. I bought my McCormack DNA.5 Deluxe from Progressive Audio on High Street in Columbus OH in 1996 or so. Shortly before, Steve had come to Progressive to give a presentation and promote his gear. There were maybe thirty people in attendance including Progressive's staff who were known to be a bit arrogant. I wanted to mentally justify the purchase and when Steve was taking questions from the audience I sheepishly asked if his amps had a finite life span and if so, how long. The whole audience seemed to let out a collective groan that I had asked the most stupid question imaginable. 

I too bought my McCormack DNA 0.5 power amp and the TLC-1 pre amp from Progressive Audio in the late 90's. I had a friend who was a great Stereophile with the keenest of ears. He took me to Progressive to listen to high end equipment like Wilson speakers and a Mark Levinson CD transport and separate DAC that then cost $20K. The point was to hear high end and then listen to the McCormack gear. To see the great SQ I could get for so much less; about $3k for the McCormack combination.

Many years later I had some problems with the TLC and that''s when I contacted SMcAudio and started working with Pat, who ran their upgrade program. In the end, based on Pat's sound, experienced advice, I instead upgraded the DNA 0.5. which at that point was still working fine but Pat felt was the better place to start in upgrading my system. Along with other of his suggestions; dedicated 20 amp circuit, Furutech receptacles and quality power cords; which I implemented.

Pat was superb to work with. No high pressure sales pitches just working to get me the best quality and results I could afford. I've never regretted following his directions and for the $2500 I put into the DNA upgrade, I have an amp that's would have cost 3x or 4x more!! If you can find their old gear at a reasonable price it's an excellent option to have them upgrade it. By the way, I decided to let go of the TLC. Pat had clients who were eager for it and so I sold it to SMcAudio for $450; a fair deal. Now some other lucky person has an upgraded TLC which I'm sure makes them very pleased!! 

Really appreciated this dialogue!!!!

If anyone has a dead McCormack DNA-1 (the original one, not from the Conrad-Johnson era), I will pay cash for a reasonable/fair selling price ($500?)! I need the housing/chassis for a rebuild by SMc. I should never have sold mine to SMc when it died—live and learn, painfully.

@dmader48 

I bet we either know each other or know of people in common. I went to tOSU from '78 to '84 for both undergrad and law school. As I bet you know, Scott, the owner and founder of the store started out selling speaker building kits in the nearby alley of 13th at High St. I have fond memories of just going to look and listen in awe of the some the mega-priced gear. Robert was always on the phone behind the counter at the back but always treated me respectfully and gave good advice. Scott was super-amiable too. Some of the other employees not so much but I did not have the funds for the high priced stuff back then (or now :-) ). 

Btw, I bought the passive McC preamp at the same time I bought the DNA.5 Deluxe and it was the first to go in my system, soon replaced by an Audioprism Mantissa tubed preamp that I bought a Progressive. Progressive did not normally sell Audioprism gear but Robert said "no problem" and ordered one to sell me. I will never forget that he was curious to hear the Mantissa and inserted it into one of the upstairs systems with uber-priced gear. He listened for less than three minutes and announced "sounds hi-fi" in a dismissive tone and walked out of the room. I loved the Mantissa anyway and it remained my preamp for about twenty years. It mated very well with the DNA.5 "Full Monty". 

AND, I vividly remember having long telephone conversations with Steve McC and in one of them he told me that he did not believe after-market power cords could possibly make a difference. Back then they were not common. I sent him one my LAT PC's to try and he called me to tell me he had changed his mind.