DTB300
Well-known member
In another thread on the MLO site, there has been some discussion about amplifiers and modified players. Allen Wright of VSE stopped in to talk about his new amplifiers and the discussions about modified players also came up. Some asked Allen about his mods and he responded:
So I will start the ball rolling with a little commentary on modifications and my opinions, and hopefully this will help open up some dialog with Allen on this subject.
As many know here, I have been a big fan of modifying a CD/SACD player for better sonic performances for many years now. IMO, the cost versus performance ratio's are fantastic when getting the "right" mods done to a player. I am a FIRM believer in new output stages and new clocks as the best modification paths to take.
Here is my take on modifications:
When reading forums and talking about CD/SACD players you see discussions about giant killers made from midrange players against higher cost and top-of-the-line five-figure and up players. Everyone knows the names from Oppo, Sony, Cambridge, Marantz, Ayre, Wadia Esoteric, Naim, and EMM Labs just to throw around a few. Audiophiles are always asking about upgrades to their CD/SACD sources and what is the next great player to consider. The replies to these questions seem to follow the same path over and over depending on the budget of the buyer.
Then there comes the discussion about having their player modified instead of purchasing a brand new model. These discussions bring up the same responses and questions over and over.
Audiophiles have many things to think about and consider when upgrading and spending their hard earned money. Since this review is about a player modification we will discuss modifications of a player instead of purchasing a stock model. But remember modified players all come from stock models.
Upgrades or modifications to CD/SACD/DVD players are comprised of two types of audio lover camps: Believers and Cautious.
The Cautious Camp:
The believer camps are composed of people who have done modifications already to their players. What is the common discussions among them?
So what are some of the modifications available?
Everyone has their opinion on which items result in the greatest improvement.
In my opinion, upgraded clocks and new output stages will give the greatest satisfaction and improvements in your player. This is based on my experience in the modded player arena and posts/information from other audiophiles and professional reviewers.
IMO, there are a couple of companies out there which I consider the “Main Players” in the modification market. These are the companies who offer those brand new output stages along with new clocks for your players. Also these same companies do not just do modifications to players, they also build and sell other audio components as part of their business.
I have about $3k invested in my player (total of stock purchase and mods) and IMO I would have to spend at least 3 times that amount, or higher, on a stock player to achieve the same sonic performance levels based on listening sessions of stock players. Again just my opinion.
So I will start the ball rolling with a little commentary on modifications and my opinions, and hopefully this will help open up some dialog with Allen on this subject.
As many know here, I have been a big fan of modifying a CD/SACD player for better sonic performances for many years now. IMO, the cost versus performance ratio's are fantastic when getting the "right" mods done to a player. I am a FIRM believer in new output stages and new clocks as the best modification paths to take.
Here is my take on modifications:
When reading forums and talking about CD/SACD players you see discussions about giant killers made from midrange players against higher cost and top-of-the-line five-figure and up players. Everyone knows the names from Oppo, Sony, Cambridge, Marantz, Ayre, Wadia Esoteric, Naim, and EMM Labs just to throw around a few. Audiophiles are always asking about upgrades to their CD/SACD sources and what is the next great player to consider. The replies to these questions seem to follow the same path over and over depending on the budget of the buyer.
Then there comes the discussion about having their player modified instead of purchasing a brand new model. These discussions bring up the same responses and questions over and over.
Audiophiles have many things to think about and consider when upgrading and spending their hard earned money. Since this review is about a player modification we will discuss modifications of a player instead of purchasing a stock model. But remember modified players all come from stock models.
Upgrades or modifications to CD/SACD/DVD players are comprised of two types of audio lover camps: Believers and Cautious.
The Cautious Camp:
- They are unable to audition modified players (unless a local owner is willing to open their home to you).
- How do you resell a player that has been modified (limited buyer base)
- How do you get service on your modified player if problems occur (company may no longer be around)
- Is the warranty voided by the manufacturer if modifications are made (some companies still honor the warranty)
The believer camps are composed of people who have done modifications already to their players. What is the common discussions among them?
- They have their modified players in hand and have heard first hand the improvement gained through the modifications.
- Almost all are highly satisfied with their new players and the sonic improvements they have achieved
- Cost versus performance is probably the main topic or discussion when they are evaluating the sound of their modded player against stock. Most have stated the sound of their new modified players is equivalent to a stock player costing 2-3 times are much.
So what are some of the modifications available?
- Part swapping – There are many companies out there who will take out part “A” and put in part “B” as a “better” part – and hopefully a better sounding part. These parts can be anything from resistors to caps to power components within the player. IMO - this can be a real hit or miss item
- Clock Upgrades – Taking out the stock clock and upgrading to one of the many new clocks available. Many clocks available to upgrade to.
- Output stages – New output stages are installed in the player bypassing or eliminating the stock output stages (not using Op-Amp’s is a main discussion point). These new stages can be tube output or solid state depending on the modifying group. Only a couple of companies out there with brand new output stage mods. IMO - these are the "real companies" in the modding arena
Everyone has their opinion on which items result in the greatest improvement.
In my opinion, upgraded clocks and new output stages will give the greatest satisfaction and improvements in your player. This is based on my experience in the modded player arena and posts/information from other audiophiles and professional reviewers.
IMO, there are a couple of companies out there which I consider the “Main Players” in the modification market. These are the companies who offer those brand new output stages along with new clocks for your players. Also these same companies do not just do modifications to players, they also build and sell other audio components as part of their business.
I have about $3k invested in my player (total of stock purchase and mods) and IMO I would have to spend at least 3 times that amount, or higher, on a stock player to achieve the same sonic performance levels based on listening sessions of stock players. Again just my opinion.
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) mods all three, if I'm not mistaken.
