Anybody here into modding?

[Rob Babcock]

Just curious if anyone here owns modded gear, and if so what type of mods. And if so, does anyone feel they've done/purchased mods that improved the sound or picture quality?

I have only one peice that's been heavily modded (a Pioneer DVD player), and that was modded before I bought if, so obviously even if the mods improved performance, I'd have no baseline for it. But one of the mods added an IEC power cord receptacle, which is very nice.

 

[JoeE SP9]

My power amps have been modded. The solid state amps have been worked (by me) according to the POOGE theme from the old Audio Amateur. The tube amps that drive my front ES panels are radically re-worked (by me) Dyna MK3's. Only the output tubes and the transformers are stock. My current subs are DIY. My audio-bud and I have just finished our prototype sub. It is a quarter wavelength folded tubular transmission line using a 15" speaker. It plays loud and deep and is very efficient. I make my own cables. My rack is a double flexy from TNT Audio. Most of my room treatments are DIY. For you youngsters POOGE means progressive optimization of generic amplifiers. As far as aftermarket stuff goes I have heard very good things about Audio Concepts. There are a lot of DIY speakers out there but not as much DIY for amps etc. I mean no snub but most receivers really don't lend themselves to modification. Yes I'm very satisfied with the mods I have done. I would do them again.

 

[miklorsmith]

I have a modified Music Hall CD-25 CDP from Modwright. The guy's name is Dan Wright and he's been modifying electronic audio/video gear for years. The player has has the entire analog output section replaced with a tube section utilizing 5687 Tung-Sol tubes. Can't comment on the performance prior, but the finished result is spectacular. It also had the internal clock replaced with one by LC Audio. Say what you will about jitter, most of the CD mod information I've read thinks clock upgrades for cheaper CDP's are at or near the top of the list for replacement.

Dan has had numerous glowing write-ups you can easily find on the web on different CDP/SACD machine's he's touched. One on the Sony 999ES says this machine is the best digital source in the world, yours for $3,000. Here's the address:

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue14/modwright999ES.htm

I've also got a tubed beta model preamp from him that's really fantastic. I will be over-grading to the production model soon, once it's released.

klam

 

[Rob Babcock]

Funny you mention Dan, miklorsmith. My Pioneer has Modwright Level I transport mods, with a Bybee on the coax digital out & an IEC power adapter. I also never heard it pre-mod, but the player is excellent now.

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

You can Mod audio equipment!!!

I thought you were only supposed to hot-rod cars/bikes

 

[JoeE SP9]

We are all motorheads of one type or another. I drive a slightly worked 1989 Porsche 911. Last of the aircooled!

 

[av_phile]

Glad to know there are members here who are modifying their gears so they can sound right to them. Now that's what really makes this hobby fun and exciting, among other things. I am sure there is so much unpredictable satisfaction from such efforts. I probably would too if I had the time, skill and patience.

Now, I am sure if some other members can have their way, they would surely do a statistical DBT to compare the mods with the stock and, not surprisingly, arrive at the same conclusion as that of a $300 receiver sounding the same as a $15,000 amp.

 

[Rob Babcock]

You're going to give yourself an ulcer, AV Phile. Maybe you should let the whole DBT thing go. If you don't care for ABX comparisons, fine. But please don't start trolling for a fight in this thread: add any such comments to the receivers post.

At any rate, for clarification, the modded gear I have wasn't modded by me. By asking if anyone is into modding, I more meant "having gear modded." Of course, if anyone here is technically enough inclined to do so, please discuss sefl-modded gear (I know there's a lot of engineers and wanna-be engineers here, and I know guys who do their own mods. I'm just not that handy with an 'iron).

 

[av_phile]

You're going to give yourself an ulcer, AV Phile. Maybe you should let the whole DBT thing go. If you don't care for ABX comparisons, fine. But please don't start trolling for a fight in this thread: add any such comments to the receivers post.

At any rate, for clarification, the modded gear I have wasn't modded by me. By asking if anyone is into modding, I more meant "having gear modded." Of course, if anyone here is technically enough inclined to do so, please discuss sefl-modded gear (I know there's a lot of engineers and wanna-be engineers here, and I know guys who do their own mods. I'm just not that handy with an 'iron).

LOL, I wonder where you got the idea that I'm trolling. Should be very obvious the point of what I said. Modding is among the things that make this hobby what it is. But if I read some other threads, it really flies in the face of DBTs, doesn't it?

 

[Rob Babcock]

LOL, I wonder where you got the idea that I'm trolling. Should be very obvious the point of what I said. Modding is among the things that make this hobby what it is. But if I read some other threads, it really flies in the face of DBTs, doesn't it?

Again, DBT seems to drive you to distraction, yet for all the obvious distress you feel for the concept, you bring it up here. Why? Haven't you had enough? I'd say trolling is precisely the word.

At any rate, why would you say modifying equipment is at odds with DBT? You could certainly test modded gear if you like. To suggest the two endeavors are mutually exclusive would appear to be a straw man attack against an argument I've not raised. Since I'm merely asking whether other people are into mods, without implying endorsement nor condemnation, shouldn't you be delighted? I am after all asking for opinions.

Lastly, many people I know mod their speakers. Even most extremists from both lunatic fringe camps (ie die hard skeptical and staunch Golden Ears) agree that speakers sound very different. Unless a speaker is perfect right from the factory, why not modify it if you know how? To "hot rod" a car is not to condemn its performance but to acknowledge its good qualities and improve upon them. Or to remedy weaknesses in an otherwise excellent vehicle.

If you have any relevant opinions on modding or experiences with mods, please share them. If you only want to needle guys who think all amps are the same, please do so in another thread. Take a dump there if you feel you must, but let me try to keep this about mods. I say this not as a Moderator but just as a guy trying to get some dialog going on a specific subject.

 

[JoeE SP9]

While responding to a question on a different thread I stated my conclusion after 30+ years as an audiophile. My own test I have called the MAT. The mornning after test. I know that women hear better than men and respond favorably to sound that is non irritating to them. If they are there in the morning, my rig sounded good the night before. When I have followed this line I have found that I can listen for a longer period of time before listening fatigue sets in. My audio buddies comment that my rig is sounding good. I don't care about specs, DBT, waterfall plots or anything but results. Tubes and planar speakers with ES panels in particular get results. Nothing else works as well. Is this sexist? Maybe so but, my female friends keep returning and routinely request more volume. As I said "all I care about is results". FWIW I have owned seperate components since 1967 when I bought my first amplifier. I still own separates because for flexibility and upgrade ability there is no comparison with a receiver. The resale value of separates does not go into the toilet after 2 or three years. Separate amplifiers that are 10 or more years old hold a substantial percentage of their original value. There are people on this and other sites whose only mantra is DBT. I wonder what their rigs actually sound like. I wonder how their rigs fare on the MAT. The only complaint I have is that all the ES panels I really like have a very small sweet spot. This requires sitting very close together! Oops, I retract my complaint. In essence if it sounds better to me (subjective) it is and to hell with DBT and any other test. I am well aware that some will take offense with my position. To bad for them. I used to be overly concerned about specs and testing then I wised up and started having fun. In ending, sure you may have a set of components that support DBT and your rig may sound as accurate as all the meter readers say it should but, are you having fun? By the way, I consider modding my stuff a lot of fun.

 

[Rip Van Woofer]

I'm airbrushing flames on my Adcom power amp. Does that count?

I'm in the skeptical camp as far as modding audio gear (big surprise, huh?). DIY is another matter: combines learning with great value when it works. But I drive a lightly modded '02 WRX wagon: Progress springs, Whiteline rear strut bar, removed intake silencer, Spec kevlar clutch (not much more than replacement OEM!) Kartboy shifter and Momo knob. Kumho MXes for summer and Yoko snows for winter (still on stock wheels, tho ).

Autocrossed for a couple of years but frankly I sucked at it. The thing that needs the most modding is always the driver!

Word, Joe E SP9: us DBT types have fun, too!

 

[JoeE SP9]

Rip, I'm sure you have fun. Nice car! My 911 has BBS wheels, Pirelli P Zero's, mini whale tail, flared fenders, Recaro's, Abarth exhaust and several other minor mods. I have only a basic CD player in my car. I actually like to hear the sound of the engine. My question was really aimed at those whose only response is "have you done DBT".

 

[Rip Van Woofer]

DBT is tricky with cars. You tend to hit things.


mmmmm....Recaro's....

I sense the beginnings of a "Post Your Ride" thread here...

 

[JoeE SP9]

I wonder if everyone can hear the difference between a V12 and an inline 4. BTW I bought the car 6 years ago and have been slowly working on it.

 

[miklorsmith]

I'm with JoeE back on Post 11. My only snuggly action is from my wife, which is fine, but she's always there in the morning so I can't really evaluate equipment that way.

Mods are cool. I couldn't afford a $3,000 CD player. I could afford $1,800. Did I get comparable (maybe better) performance? You bet! My remote control and player aesthetics are not on the same level, but I don't care much about that. Mods put the dollars where they count - in your ears! (nice visual, eh?).

On a philosophical level, why try to prove to a man that his reasons for happiness are unsound? If empirically the sound from any upgrade is identical, but the spender of the money believes there is value, hasn't the dough been well spent?

As a prominent reviewer stated about the Walker SST (summarized), How to clean the stuff off all the contacts and cables? Further, why would you? How would you rip the tube section out of your modded CD player? Capacitors and Bybees from the amp? Head-to-head comparisons are valuable in some contexts (cable switching for instance), but not with mods.

 

[Rob Babcock]

I obviously never heard my Pioneer before Modwright got ahold of it, but I really like the fact that they modded it to accept an IEC power cord. For sonic reasons? Naw, it's just easier to find a variety of lengths in IEC cords. I needed a bit longer one than came with it.

One really cool mod that Boulder Cables offers is an IEC socket & banana plug mod to some of the cheaper digital receivers. Wayne removes the cheesey spring clips and grafts on nice 5-way binding posts. I just hate bare wire- I'm always worried a stray wire will short out, plus it's damned hard to get your fingers into those tiny little cheap connectors.

Dynamat is another mod that can be very useful. A lot of people I know line the inside of components with the stuff. Really nice if you have a noisy transformer or drive. Nice for lining the inside of your PC or Xbox case, too.