I initially auditioned the DNA-1, mainly because I thought that if I drop about 2G on a new amp, it better have some more power - but I was wrong. Whereas the DNA-1 was not bad, it sounded a bit too forward, and overly bass oriented and dark. I was quite surprised, when I hooked up the DNA-0.5 deluxe with my Snell Type C/V s. Except for the bass, everything was much more refined, and the bass was not quite as "in your face" as with the DNA-1, yet still very powerful. Great little amp, and yes I am thinking about another one for bi-amping.
Gary

The McCormack DNA.05 is the best value for the money piece of stereo equipment I have ever owned or have heard. You would have to spend a lot of money on speakers, CD player, or turntable to make this amp the weak link in your audio system ,or have special conditions that require more power, such as a large listening room. Before you spend more money on an amp, give this amp a listen in your system. The bass is deep and tight, the highs are clear and true. The sounstage is remarkable. I heard the DNA.05 at a Stereophile Magazine HiFi show driving inexpensive, Signet mini-speakers - the sound was involving and accurate, with suprising bass and a "big" sound in a large room. Other listeners also had a positive reaction and were suprised at the quality of the sound through the rather modest speakers. I think that was the point the designer, Steve McCormack, was trying to make - this amp does make a great improvement in the sound chain. This amp is even upgradable by Steve McCormack himself, though I have not heard the upgrade. IMHO it adds to the worth of the DNA.05 that an upgrage/modification path is available if and when you are ready (Class B to class A?). This is the amp to consider if you want the most value for the money - put the money you save on the DNA.05 into speakers, sound source, or records and CDs and you will have a better system.

Virtually all the reviews on this site really praise the wonderful qualities of this amplifier. So much so that I had to try one for myself to see if everything said about this product is true. To make a long story short I went down to my friendly local high end hi-fi dealer and picked up a copy of the McCORMACK POWER DRIVE DNA-0.5, took it home and I liked it so much it has never left! I am really a very happy listner! It is hard to imagine it getting any better than this.

Very well built; great sound

The DNA.5 has been an excellent amp for my system, which includes a Quicksilver preamp, Snell B-Minor speakers and a Pioneer Combination player as well as a Sota turntable (vacuum). This system (and amp) provides a soundstage with both breadth and depth. I noticed no ill effects with imaging either (relative to the Quicksilver amps). I have had the amps (I have two of them) for several years and was (I sold them recently) completely satisfied with the sound they helped provide.

Similar Products Used:

Quicksilver Mono's (8417's)

transparent and smooth with adequate low end

kind of funky looking

I sent the unit off to Steve McCormack at SMcAudio for a Rev A modification soon after I purchased a used Deluxe version of the DNA-0.5. It took approximately 30 hours of use for the unit to break in fully, but after listening to it for over a year I can't envision a cleaner, more transparent SS amp for the money. It has the best of SS with most of the sonic benefits of tubes. Highly recommended. I don't have any points of reference with the B & C mods, but the "full monty" was well worth my money.

For the price of the KAV300i I can buy almost two DNA 0.5s. So, Mia Linn from Vietnam, the Krell better be twice as good compared to my 0.5!
I've had the 0.5 for three and a half years now and have had nothing but praise. I don't tend to think about the McCormack at all, as I am enjoying my records and CDs. I think that's the best compliment one can have for an amp, right?

For 120WPC you have all the power you'll ever need unless you live with a B&W 801 or some monstrosity for speakers.

Five stars for its appreciated sonic invisibility and no-nonsense, bomb-proof construction.

Frank

I love my 0.5. And, I like the McCormack spices too! [See the review below by Mia Linn: either a bad joke gone worse, or written by one ignorant person.]
Anyway, if anything is mentioned in comparison with KAV300i, how could it be a "one-speaker" rating? Is Mia Linn deaf and mathematically challenged?

Seriously....you can't get any better solid-state sound than McCormack 0.5. And, for the price it can't be beat. And no worrying about output tubes blowing in your face!

Why don't I go ahead and put a "one-speaker" rating in the KAV300i review section just to even things out.

Excellent for the money. Very detail, bass is enough for PSB Stratus Gold. Midrange is excellent. High end is good. The only complain: No balanced input.Very airy. Sound stage is good. An excellent selection if you have an efficient speaker and normal room for music.

WOW! After hearing this amp matched with my B&W 604's , I've finally heard what I've been missing----- everything! More bass,mids are more defined, and treble is very smooth and controlled. Whether it's The London Symphony, Pat Metheny, R.E.M., or Nirvana, this amp can do it all. Read the Stereophile Review on this.( no wonder it got component of the year). Plus how many amps do you know of at this price for such great performance? Check out the speaker terminals ( gold plated brass that you could use a wrench on!!) Haven't seen that on amps like Krell or others at more than twice the price. I'm going to buy another one soon for bi-amping,

In my "dream system", I've previously put the Rotel RMB-100 Monoblocks as my amplifier choice, but after last night, I might be sold on the DNA 0.5 so much, I might buy it instead of the Rotels. Transparency is out of this world, the midrange is crystal clear, and it exhibits a spacious stage. The top-end is airy and extended, midrange is clear, and the bass is both extended and tight. I heard this on a system consisting of the Vandersteen 2Ce's, with a McCormack TLC-1 preamp using "buffered" outputs with no external power supply, and a Cal Labs Icon II CD Player and MITerminator 2 Interconnects and Bi-Wired Speaker Cable and was taken aback by it's sound. Though, I will subtitute the CD Player, meaning that I like the Pioneer Elite PD-65 CD Player/Theta Chroma DAC better for this system. For the same price as a pair of Rotel Monoblocks, I can get a McCormack DNA 0.5, and it's a much better sounding amp.
Might I add, it's also a perfect fit for the Vandersteens.