Repurposing: Steve McCormack

If we're going to talk smack (which we shouldn't), with regarding to Hi Fi prices, we might as well stay in character and talk with regards to Steve McCormack Audio (SMc).

Steve has been raising hairs in the industry, and giving audio guys ... turn-ons, since

We first got wind of some changing with SMc Audio's VRE-1C Preamplifier.

In 1996 McCormack was producing components such at the Micro Integrated Drive Headphone Amplifier ($695.00 USD), Micro Line Drive Preamplifer ($1000.00 CDN), and PowerDrive DNA-1 Ampliifer ($1995.00 USD).

These were value leaning components for those that could not afford Krell at the time. For comparison, the Krell KSA-300s Stereo Amplifier, a go-to amplifier component at the time was $8900.00 USD, while the Krell KRC Preamplifer, another at the top reference choice (including phono) was $6800.00 USD. That was then.

Now those with the money and a sense of decor had the pleasure of choosing Jeff Rowland, such as the Model 2 Amplifier ($5800.00 USD + $2600.00 USD for BPS-2 Battery Power Supply). A reference choice.

However, back when Vancouver (Richmond, BC) last had an audio show, it was those lusting after Krell Amplifiers, looking at and choosing (who could believe them) Steve McCormack Audio Micro Line Drive (or TLC-1) Preamplifiers ($1000.00 CDN), along with DNA 0.5 ($1295.00 USD) or 1.0 ($1995.00 USD) Power Amplifiers. Who could believe them?

Enter today, and Steve McCormack is releasing the Reference Linestage for $50,000.00 USD and a power strip cum power conditioner, the HiFi One AC Nexus Power Conditioner for $16,000.00 USD - Devialet money.

That is, if one does not mind an "out of date" product, one can get a Devialet D-Premier for $16,000.00 USD (or less, given a new-old-stock "out of date" discount by retailer), one which, in our opinion, not only does not need power conditioning or expensive power cords (but is actually lessened by it, sonically), but actually includes a pre-amplifier (for a savings of $50,000.00 USD), not to mention a competent amplifier (and DAC) to go with!

That's leaving out the star of the Devialet - the streamer. In an obtuse proposition, the demonstrator of the Devialet D400's (along with Magico S3's), a fellow from Nordst, chose to spend the last Vancouver (great - in Burnaby, BC - fantastic) audio show, playing small segments of music, and swapping cables, going on about how long they should be... "to improve the sound." :)

Now the look of a power conditioner - that it includes carbon - shouldn't have us going against it - the face plates look a bit cheap, however - nor the $16,000.00 USD attributable price.

Let's look at these two numbers.

$50,000.00 USD (today) = $32,685.72 (1996)
$16,000.00 USD (today) = $10,459.43 (1996)

The most expensive pre-amplifier of 1996, Stereophile Recommended, is the Jadis JP-80MC Preamplifer ($13,990.00 USD - $15,500.00 USD).

We've attempted to put together a "Stereophile Class A" System, at the time, however it's had us baffled.

Mark Levinson No.38S Pre-Amplifier: $6,495.00 USDWilson Audio Specialties X-1/Grand SLAMM Loudspeaker: $67,500.00 USD

Gets us started. Also, at the time, was the B&W Matrix 800 Loudspeaker ($15,000.00 USD) - fantastic. B&W John Bowers Silver Signature Loudspeaker ($8,000.00 USD) - gorgosity incarnate.

And we should mention the Sonus Faber Extrema Loudspeaker ($9,800.00 USD). Exemplify. The Merridian DSP 6000 (subliminal) $16,000.00 USD - 1980's near-ultra fi loudspeaker. The ProAc Response 4 Loudspeaker ($18,000.00 USD) - we wouldn't say Class A, though it's listed as such, but it's the most musical. And certainly the Threshold T2 Preamplifer ($5,250.00 USD) - absolutely gorgeous. Our favourite pre-amplifier.

Steve McCormack was known for value oriented designs and implementations. Now SMc Audio illustrates the idiot principle.


Not listed, however, is the Mark Levinson No. 33 Reference ($32,000.00 USD / pair) Monoblock Amplifiers. Top flight.

It's unusual for a top-flight reference pre-ampliifer to cost (usually 1/4) the equivalent of a pair of top-flight reference monoblocks in a system.

Class A System, 1996:

This is not ne-pas-ultra Hi Fi, ala Burnmesiter, but it is Class A with a she-bang.




JP 2016/05/27
www.hifiart.ca