What is the purpose of any kind of upgrade........


What is the purpose of any kind of upgrade option given directly by manufacturer?
{For example some manufacturers have a cap upgrade option in their amplifiers}

1. The manufacturer doesn't have enough knowledge, he found out later the sound may be improved by some kind of upgrade.
2. This is done on purpose to take money out of customer's pocket.

Did you ever think about it? I don't get it.
Why should one buy anything that is upgradable? Does it say that the original component isn't good enough?. Why should I buy such a product anyway and pay again for something that was already paid?
Any ideas welcome, sane comments please.
mamba

Showing 1 response by jcbtubes

Mamba- I think you're missing the point completely. Very rarely is a product brought to market as a statement item. It is produced to fit a particular cost/price niche. The design is directed with compromises that will result in the best performance versus cost. Upgrades of any sort are simply the designer saying that he/she would have liked to produce the product slightly differently, but the resultant price increase would have taken the product out of the particular target market.

Any good designer never stops trying to improve the product. Unfortunately, exotic caps, wire, and resistors are very expensive compared to the "normal" audio quality components utilized in production. Unless you're an ee or tech, or even a techie, and are experienced enough in the particular sonic improvements produced by different types of caps, wire and resistors, these upgrades offer an invaluable option of improving a component without resorting to replacing it.

Are all upgrades worth the cost, either from a sonic improvement or parts cost ratio? That would have to be determined on a particular product and option basis. Knowledge is always your best protection.

In short, I think you need to go back and rethink your entire position on upgrades. Just MNSHO.