companies that modify equipment...opinions


hi everyone, im wondering if anyone has opinions on these companies that do mods. this question popped in my head as i have been reading up on modwright sony 5400s/oppos.

i also see that vse (vacuum state electronics in switzerland for example) also does mods on the sony 5400 etc. i also came across some other companies(forgot names) that heavily mod cd players in the united states.

im wondering if anyone knows or has heard and compared performance from the same piece (front ends in particular) but modded by different companies... for example modwright tube mods vs vacuum state electronics level 7 mod on a sony 5400 etc.
what are your preferences and thoughts.

thanks
nineballg

Showing 1 response by ptmconsulting

There are 2 types of mods
- those that swap out component parts for boutique parts (you can do that yourself and don't need to pay someone else for that solder job)
- and those that actually change a circuit, or add a better output stage, or a clock mechanism, or a different tube set, and boutique parts.

Modwright started out long ago in the first category, moved to the second one and is now making their own equipment. Red Wine Audio and Empiracle Audio did this too.

Yes, mods do make a difference, and you can get very satisfactory improvements in either category. But again, you are relying on your liking the kind of sound that the modder is shooting for. Same with any componnet.

However, you will pay a hefty premium for mods, and probably not see that back on resale. My suggestion would be to wait for a modded piece to pop up on the used market and try it out. That way you could sell it easily for what you paid if you don't like it.