[2bigears]

been lookin' for a player as of late.5000 to 10000 is no uncommon for big players with 'THE' names.but,take a new machine in the lets say 1000 buck mark,get 2000 bucks on mods and these modders say you are now running with the big boys,could this be true ????.better yet,buy the late model player used,150 to 500 bucks makes for an even better story.the old Sony machines turned ears for sure.if anyone is running modded 2 channel cdp,can you please tell your story.the blue-ray machines are nextfor modders i would guess.   thks

[cujobob]

I've always thought one could find exceptional value from external DACs vs. a modded CDP.  I run a Lite DAC 60 with GR-Research mods that I'm quite fond of.  If the transport starts skipping or has other issues, I just swap it for something else that doesn't cost too much and keep my DAC.

Something like a modded Logitech Transporter is always worth considering, as well.

Sorry if this isn't what you're asking for...just my .02 on the subject..

[BillB]

I guess it would depend on whether or not the topology was crap.

If you were to buy something that is highly regarded but cheap, like a Music Hall or Onix CD-5 I would say that is a good starting point as they have great transports.

-OR-

You could buy a transport and build a buffalo DAC or something like that...

-OR-

I guess the possibilities are endless...point is, all the expensive parts in the world won't make a gold brick out of a bag of fertilizer.

Or....you can't polish a turd...except that the mythbusters proved you could...so you can polish a turd but it is still just a shiny turd.

[dave_c]

A cheap dac saved my audio life!  Seriously I bought a used DAC-AH and started modding it myself.  Prior to that I was getting out of the hobby but since then I'm more into it than ever.  It's not a giant killer but it sounds great as my desktop DAC and its fun as hell.  Something audiophiles need more of IME.   

[BobM]

Yeah, I've modded a lot of stuff, but I always started with something that was decent to begin with. You can only go so far without digging into the circuit and changing out chips and stuff. That, IMO, is design and not "modding". At least not modding for most of us who are not engineers.

I agree that it opened up a whole new world of enjoyment for me and this hobby. I've learned tons and come to appreciate the trial and error aspect of modding. No, it doesn't always work as intended and you have to be true to that if you want REAL improvement and not just a change. Be willing to back it out and chalk it up to a learning experience.

If you want to mod, then the only cost effective way is to do it yourself and not pay someone a ton of money that you will never see back. Besides, it is fun and educational.

Enjoy,
Bob

[2bigears]

   modding is not a game of plug and play.the sound is King.you can have your super clock4 with super power supply,yada-yada-yada.i kinda was wondering where you draw the line in the digital sand.the big Wadia players sell used for 8 or 9 grand.good name players like Audio Research 7 sell for 5 or 6 grand.these cdp's most likely sound pretty good and do hold some value.now,take a Philips 963sa for 150 used and add 1500 in mods.i bet they sound good too,but you will not get a dime back on these.i would love to A-B that stuff.getting more  by the minute.must call Batman   [35* below today,real brain freeze]

[doug s.]

i'll put my modded art di/o and used audio alchemy acd pro, used as transport up against any multi-kilobuck digital rig out there.  as long as i get to plug each into its own separate isolation transformer.  as it is now, the di/o has fared well against several warious set-up from $2k-$8k...

doug s.

[zybar]

i'll put my modded art di/o and used audio alchemy acd pro, used as transport up against any multi-kilobuck digital rig out there.  as long as i get to plug each into its own separate isolation transformer.  as it is now, the di/o has fared well against several warious set-up from $2k-$8k...

doug s.

I would put my Modwright TP up to that test...too bad you aren't local.   

George

 

[doug s.]

i'll put my modded art di/o and used audio alchemy acd pro, used as transport up against any multi-kilobuck digital rig out there.  as long as i get to plug each into its own separate isolation transformer.  as it is now, the di/o has fared well against several warious set-up from $2k-$8k...

doug s.

I would put my Modwright TP up to that test...too bad you aren't local.   

George

yup, too bad.  i would love to hear your set-up, regardless of whether we were comparing my di/o or not!     also, check your p/m...   

doug s.

[Mariusz]

Personally, if given the choice to pick one from any category of digital  :

* standalone CDP of choice AMR CD-77
* wireless transport - Modwright TP
* NOS USB DAC with latest Sony transport or Philips VAU1254 CD-PRO2

At the end it comes down to personal preferences, taste, system and budget.

............and what makes it best? 
Please explain. 

Mariusz

[2bigears]

   ok,that AMR is sweet,how bout' the Reimyo777.anyone heard this player..few fs on the Gon....

[BobM]

Doug, I think you know that I was a big modded DI/O proponent, and I still believe it beats many, many DAC's out there. However I have now moved on to a highly modded Zhaolu 2.5c DAC. Wish you were in the area to hear it. You may change your mind and move on. And yes, this Zhaolu has been put up against several high priced units and come out shining.

I think the key is that both of these were modded and dramatically improved vs. stock unitis in any category, Lots to be gained by doing it right.

Bob

[doug s.]

i'll put my modded art di/o and used audio alchemy acd pro, used as transport up against any multi-kilobuck digital rig out there.  as long as i get to plug each into its own separate isolation transformer.  as it is now, the di/o has fared well against several warious set-up from $2k-$8k...

doug s.

I would put my Modwright TP up to that test...too bad you aren't local.   

George

 

george, if you peruse this thread, and my posts to it, you will have an idea of my feelings about digital, and my experiences in one "shootout" i took part in (one of the pieces of gear used was a tp, but i do not think it was modded.):

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=52505.msg471613#msg471613

doug s.

[doug s.]

Doug, I think you know that I was a big modded DI/O proponent, and I still believe it beats many, many DAC's out there. However I have now moved on to a highly modded Zhaolu 2.5c DAC. Wish you were in the area to hear it. You may change your mind and move on. And yes, this Zhaolu has been put up against several high priced units and come out shining.

I think the key is that both of these were modded and dramatically improved vs. stock unitis in any category, Lots to be gained by doing it right.

Bob

hi bob,

yes, i have heard of this dac, tho i have never heard it.  in fact, i referenced it in this thread, where i quoted from the yahoo di/o forum a comparo between a zhaolu and a $17k reimyo cdp:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=52877.msg472684#msg472684

it's not all about the modded di/o - it's about getting at least 98% of the best redbook digital has to offer, for less than $500.   

doug s.

[BobM]

Guess who did that compare and wrote that post 

Bob

[doug s.]

Guess who did that compare and wrote that post 

Bob

not sure, was it you?     but, further in the thread, paul (occam) chimed in that it was his zhaolu that was inwolved:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=52877.msg472879#msg472879

doug s.

[BobM]

Yeah, both Paul and I went over to Wes Bender's place to hear his Hansen Prince's. We both brought our Zhaolu's. Paul has a 2.0 and I have a 2.5 - with different levels of mods (I totally rebuilt the output board on mine). The Remyo was definitely better overall, but it was damn close. Nothing short of a direct A-B switch would let you hear the subtle differences. Those were mostly a slightly warmer bass character and a slightly smoother top end. I've done some more mods recently and think I have rectified those differences.

And yes, the Hansen's are an amazing speaker. Wes's system is probably the best I've ever heard (Hansen's, Redpoint TT, Remyo, CAT Ultimate, megabuck everything, etc.). But unlike most megabuck systems that don't float my boat, this is one well put together system.

Oh yeah, my out of pocket Zhaolu costs are definitely under $500 (plus my time).

Bob

[dave_c]

I think I'd like to hear a shootout between the top end Esoteric and top end Zanden.  Seems like they are the pinnacle of digital but on opposite ends of conversion philosophy.  I guess you could throw in the dCs Scarlatti stack too.  But I think the assumption here is that the rest of you system is good enough to hear the difference.