modify question

zanigovo

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has any body modified their kit to upgrade it as an alternative to "box swapping" ?

years ago there was an article (in hifi world i think) where brent/fidelity audio modified a cd player, by installing better components, which resulted in the cd player outperforming a model that cost much more than the modified unit !

considering that often the next model up the chain can sound just "different" or, maybe offer very little improvement, is this an upgrade route that is more cost effective ?
 

Gray

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From what I read, the biggest modifier is burn-in. Just leave it to run in for a few hours and it will sound so much better than before 🤔

I've only ever replaced faulty components in my stuff, but a common 'mod' for many is to swap out power supplies (checkout 'Pimp my Node' threads on another forum).

You will often see people changing supplied switched mode power supplies for (often quite expensive) linear supplies.
The theory being that SMPSUs are inferior.
I tried both (and DC from a battery) to supply my DAC - heard no difference - and my system would have let me hear it.

Not saying that mods don't work (my old amp and current CDP were KI modified versions of original products).

Probably best to buy well and just enjoy the music 👍
 
Strangely my amp was upgraded. When I first purchased it (approx 2 weeks after buying) there was a hum in the headphone socket. The maker replaced the headphone loom and circuit board was replaced with the newer model.

If it wasn't for the fault it would have been left original.
 
I’ve only know one person who modified their own kit. Folk who are that skilled often build their own from scratch, and I can see the satisfaction if you’re that dedicated (I lack skills and determination!). There are a handful of UK specialists who tweak existing brands, or upgrade internal bits. Marantz spent about thirty years doing that themselves, with SE, KI and UK Edition tweaks. Rotel and Pioneer did too, but less often.

As mentioned above, power supplies are fertile ground, especially given the sometimes irrational dread of near universal ‘wall wart’ power supplies. Long established brands like Quad and Linn have numerous mods available, some probably less successful than others.
 
The original post (don't know if it is spam) mentioned a particular firm that specialises in expensive 'upgrades ', to CD players predominantly.
These are often costing more than the original player did..
Any upgrades like this will, obviously, destroy any existing warranty you might have on your player and offer a, sometimes, questionable improvement.
 
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Gray

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I remember Arcam and Cyrus offered upgrades to their CDPs. I could have upgraded the CD73T to either a CD82 or CD192, each upgrade was around £400. It was more cost effective just to buy either the 82 or 192 rather than going the upgrade route.
Reviews always considered that sort of upgradability to be a plus point.
Like you, I've never regarded it as such - once you take pricing into account.
 
The original post (don't know if it is spam) mentioned a particular firm that specialises in expensive 'upgrades ', to CD players predominantly.
These are often costing more than the original player did..
Any upgrades like this will, obviously, destroy any existing warranty you might have on your player and offer a, sometimes, questionable improvement.
I remember some Oppo player upgrades that I’m pretty sure cost more than the original device. And some earlier CD players updated with a valve circuit! Such is the diversity of our hobby.

Manufacturer upgrades to existing lines are a different thing, imo. My Linn pre/streamer, for example, can be upgraded for two grand to the latest spec. Even investing in that myself earlier this year means in total I’ve still paid at least a third less than the new current price, and now have a warranty until 2027. So to me, it’s a fair value proposition.
 
I remember some Oppo player upgrades that I’m pretty sure cost more than the original device. And some earlier CD players updated with a valve circuit! Such is the diversity of our hobby.

Manufacturer upgrades to existing lines are a different thing, imo. My Linn pre/streamer, for example, can be upgraded for two grand to the latest spec. Even investing in that myself earlier this year means in total I’ve still paid at least a third less than the new current price, and now have a warranty until 2027. So to me, it’s a fair value proposition.
Yes, as an Oppo owner I did read into those potential upgrades, one done by a firm in Wales (audiocom) and the valve mod by Modwright
From the OPs question he seems to be enquiring after these sort of upgrades rather than manufacturer specific ones.
 
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skinnypuppy71

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I had my arcam diva cd 72t upped to cd82. It was quite a improvement over the stock 72t, I also remember removing the top of the case before the cd72t went in for the upgrade, There was a good few extra parts added when I got it back in cd82 status along with a couple of extra kg's, it was well worth the cost for that particular upgrade.
 
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RoA

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has any body modified their kit to upgrade it as an alternative to "box swapping" ?

years ago there was an article (in hifi world i think) where brent/fidelity audio modified a cd player, by installing better components, which resulted in the cd player outperforming a model that cost much more than the modified unit !

considering that often the next model up the chain can sound just "different" or, maybe offer very little improvement, is this an upgrade route that is more cost effective ?

I don't believe that replacing components for 'better' ones in electronic equipment will guarantee improvements or necessarily make a difference unless the original ones were out of spec. - They may do, I don't know but what is 'better'? - What if it sounds worse?

I think where replacement of components could make a substantial difference is in Speaker Xover's, a place where many manufacturers tend to save and where there are sound electrical reasons for choosing certain parts which may be out of manufacturer's budgetary constraints.

I am not talking about re-designing a Xover, that's another subject.
 

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