McCormack ALD Dlx w phono


Hello all-I just purchased a used McCormack ALD Deluxe w phono. It has balanced and rca outputs. Until i get an amp, I am using my old NAD 7100 receiver's amp section for power. I was thinking of going with a used McCormack DNA.5 amp. How much better are the balanced inputs v. the Cardas RCAs? What other amps might be nice in the $500-600 range? What about going with a tube amp? I look forward to your comments.
tbromgard
This is my first post on Audiogon, and its was cool to see the first response from the manufacturer himself-thanks Steve. Your electronics are first rate, and when I have the funds, I intend to have this unit upgraded by McCormack. Please continue to offer improvements and uprades to your older models. Thanks.
Thanks for your kind words, Tbromgard. I hope you enjoy your ALD-1. One small correction - McCormack Audio does not offer upgrades. They are available from SMc Audio - my own business. Check my website at www.SMcAudio.com for the details.

Best regards,

Steve McCormack
SMc Audio
Steve-
What kinds of speakers did you use when designing the ALD-1 with phono? What kind of turntable did you use?
Thanks -Todd.
Hi Todd -

The ALD-1 (Active Line Drive) was designed back in the early '90s. At the time I was using a variety of speakers like the Thiel 3.6, the Vandersteen Model 4, and the Stax ELS-F83X. For turntables I would typically use an Oracle Delphi with a Triplanar tonearm.

Best regards,

Steve McCormack
SMc Audio
Hi Steve-
I purchased a DNA .5 to go with my newly aquired ALD w/phono and external power supply. I understand that they should not be stacked, but placed a few feet apart from each other. Is this correct? Thanks, Todd.