Mccormack Audio DNA-0.5 Owners manual
McCORMACK AUDIO
BEYOND YOUR EXPECTATIONS, WITHIN YOUR REACH.
Thank you for purchasing the DNA-0.5 Power Drive. This amplifier was handcrafted with top quality, highly reliable components.
We are confident that you will be well satisfied with its sonic performance and find pleasure in its functional beauty.
Before you enjoy these experiences, however, please take a few
minutes to read this Owner’s Manual and acquaint yourself with
the instructions for optimal operation. This will ensure your listening pleasure today, and for many years to come.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
UNPACKING--Be sure to save the DNA-0.5’s box and packing
materials. Store them in a dry environment. It is best to use the
original package should you need to transport the DNA-0.5.
INSTALLATION--Place your DNA-0.5 on a stable surface in a
location which allows adequate ventilation. If it is sitting on a carpet, use either a flat board or Tiptoes underneath to keep the
ventilation slots unobstructed. Do not locate it in direct sunlight or
expose it to extremely high temperatures (above 70 degrees
centigrade/154 degrees Fahrenheit). Allow at least four inches of
open space on each side, and six inches of open space both
above and behind. In a stack of components, place it only at the
top or the bottom. Do not block the ventilation slots on the top or
bottom, or the heat sinks on each side.
3.) Install suitable speaker cables from your speaker’s input connectors to the output connectors located on either side of the rear
panel. Note the channel and polarity designators. When finished,
recheck that all connections are correct and tight.
4.) Install the mechanical grounding spike. ( While this step is
optional, we strongly recommend it because of the improved performance it produces.) This threaded spike screws into a
threaded hole located on the bottom of the chassis, in the center
at the rear. Install it point down, so that it touches the surface the
DNA-0.5 sits on. Thread the knurled lock nut over the ground
spike until it locks against the chassis. It is alright for the rear Soft
Shoes (damping feet) to be raised slightly when the spike is
down. You can use a coin under the spike to protect the surface
beneath it, if you desire.
5.) Check that the power switch on the front panel is in the off
position. Plug the AC power cord into the DNA-0.5, then plug the
other end into an appropriate wall socket.
6.) Move the DNA-0.5 to its permanent location. Check that your
system’s volume control is turned down all the way. Turn on the
front panel power switch. The POWER/PROTECT indicator
should light up amber. After ten to twenty seconds, the indicator
should turn green, and your DNA-0.5 will be ready for operation.
If the indicator does not turn green, refer to the troubleshooting
guide at the end of this manual.
Position the DNA-0.5 as close as possible to its final installation
location, while allowing access to the back panel connectors.
CONNECTIONS--The DNA-0.5 uses standard RCA phono jacks
for input connectors, and binding posts for output connectors.
Please remember that selecting high quality cables for use with
this revealing component will result in superior sonic performance from your system.
IMPORTANT! Always install the interconnect cables first when
connecting an amplifier, and remove them last when disconnecting an amplifier. This will prevent potential damage to the loudspeakers in case the power supply has not fully discharged.
1.) Install interconnect cables from the main output of your preamplifier to the input RCA jacks located on the rear panel. Please
note the channel designators, and be certain the plugs are fully
inserted, making a tight connection.
2.) Check again to be certain the DNA-0.5’s power switch is
turned off (push the surface of the switch handle marked "O").
POWER SWITCH--This switch is located on the right side of the
front panel.
POWER/PROTECTION INDICATOR--located above the power
switch on the front panel. When green, it indicates that the DNA-
0.5 is turned on. When amber, it indicates that the DNA-0.5’s
sophisticated protection circuitry has been activated. The DNA-
0.5 mutes and will not resume playing until the potentially dangerous condition has passed, shortly after which it will turn green
and the program will resume.
If this color change occurs while you are listening, turn off the
DNA-0.5 and refer to the troubleshooting guide at the end of this
manual. It is normal for the indicator to be amber for the first 20
seconds or so whenever the DNA-0.5 has been turned on, giving
its circuits time to settle and stabilize.
BREAK-IN AND WARM-UP PERIODS--Your DNA-0.5 has already been burned in at the factory. However, like all high quality
components, it will still require a break-in period of approximately
50 hours before it will sound its best. The DNA-0.5 is always
ready to play when turned on, but it will not settle into optimal
operation for at least 30 minutes. It is perfectly alright to leave
your DNA-0.5 on all the time, but always be certain to turn down
your system’s volume control all the way, and turn your mode
selector to mute between listening sessions.
FUSES
AC MAINS FUSE--You have easy access to this fuse. It is located on the rear panel, in the lower section of the AC inlet module into which the power cord connects. You must first remove
the AC power cord from this module to gain access to the fuse
tray, then slide the tray out using a fingernail or small screwdriver.
The correct fuse type and value are indicated on the rear panel.
Replace it only with the correct type and value. If the fuse blows
again immediately or after a short period of time, do not continue
relacing it, as a fault condition exists which must be corrected.
B+/B- POWER SUPPLY RAIL FUSES--These are four five amp
fast-blow fuses mounted on the output circuit boards inside the
chassis. The fuse clips accommodate two 5 X 20mm type fuses
per channel. To replace these, first unplug the AC power cord
from the DNA-0.5, then remove the screws holding the topcover
in place and lift it off. The fuses are located at the top and bottom
of the front edge of the two output stage circuit boards, mounted
on the left and right heatsink assemblies. Replace these fuses
only with five amp 5x20mm fast-blow type fuses.
SPECIFICATIONS
Output Power: 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms, and 200 watts
per channel into 4 ohms, both channels driven from 20 Hz to 20
kHz at less than 1% THD.
Output Current: 25 Amps peak, per channel
Input Impedance: 100 Kohm
Input Sensitivity: .850 Vrms
Voltage Gain: 30 dB
Frequency Response: - 3dB @ .5 Hz, 200 kHz
Signal-to-Noise: 100 dB
Harmonic Distortion (1 KHz, 8 ohm load): .05%
Signal Polarity ("Absolute Phase"): Non-Inverting
Power Requirements: .65 Amps / 80 Watts @ Idle
3.2 Amps/ 400 Watts @ Clipping (8 ohms)
117 VAC / 60 Hz
Dimensions: 19" W x 5 7/8" H x 15" D
Shipping Weight: 30 lbs
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE:
Problem: Amplifier does not operate; POWER/PROTECT light
does not light at all.
Check AC power cord connections (both ends). Check the AC
outlet for power.
If the AC connections are proper and the outlet is live, check the
AC line fuse, replacing if necessary. Note that a spare fuse has
been provided in one section of the pull-out fuse tray. Retest the
amplifier. If the AC line fuse blows again, contact your dealer for
servicing information.
Problem: Amplifier does not operate; POWER/PROTECT light
comes on and remains amber.
NOTE: It is normal for the this light to be amber (the PROTECT
mode) for ten to twenty seconds after the DNA-0.5 is turned on.
After this period, if the light remains amber a fault condition is
indicated.
Turn off the amplifier and disconnect the input and speaker cables. Turn on the amplifier. If the Protect light turns green after
the ten to twenty second turn-on period, the problem is excessive
DC voltage from the preamplifier or from a source component.
You will need to correct this problem before continuing.
If the POWER/PROTECT light stays amber, check the condition
of the B+/B- rail fuses. Replace any blown fuses. Turn on the
amplifier. If the PROTECT light turns green after the stabilization
period mentioned above, the problem has been corrected. If the
PROTECT light stays on and/or the B+/B- rail fuses have blown
again, contact your dealer for servicing information.
Problem: Amplifier turns on normally, but no sound is produced.
Check all connections carefully. Check your preamplifier’s input,
mute, and volume settings.
Problem: The protection circuit activates during listening, muting
the output and changing the POWER/PROTECT light from green
to amber.
If the PROTECT light continually cycles from green to amber and
back, there is a persistent and possibly dangerous condition at
the DNA-0.5’s input, coming from the preamplifier or a source
component. This can be in the form of excessive DC voltage or
high levels of infrasonic (very low frequency) noise, such as that
caused by a badly warped record. The protection circuit will activate only when such information is potentially damaging to your
speakers. Correcting the problem may be as simple as turning
your volume control down, or, in the case of excessive DC leakage from a source component, service may be required.
If the POWER/PROTECT light stays amber, the B+/B- rail fuses
may have blown. This may have been caused by short-circuiting
the output of the DNA-0.5 while it is being played, or by excessively high drive levels into a very low impedance load. Check
the condition of the rail fuses and replace as necessary. If the
fuses blow again, check the speaker connections for a persistent
short-circuit condition. If you are unsure, disconnect the speaker
cables from the amplifier. Install new fuses as necessary and try
again. If the fuses blow again, contact your dealer for servicing
information. If they do not blow, and the amplifier restarts normally, there is still a persistent fault condition - possibly intermittent - in the speakers or in the speaker wiring. Correct this problem before continuing.
If you have any questions regarding the DNA-0.5 amplifier,
please contact your McCormack Audio Dealer.
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