Is It Worh Modding An Amp


I have a Primaluna Dialogue One that sits idle as a backup.  I’m debating the idea of having it modded. Problem is I have no idea what can or should be upgraded or if the amp is worth the investment. Id be willing to fork over 500-1000 if it was worth it and made sense compared to what else I could do with the funds.  Curious what people’s experiences and thoughts are? 

brylandgoodman

Generally, I would say "yes."

We perform mods on amps and speakers, and reserve "parts swaps" to clearly inferior components. By looking at a photo of the back of the unit, does not appear to be the case here. Without the ability to see the inside, it’s difficult to say, but my guess is that they used "good stuff" on the inside as well. Our "modding" goal is not to paint a mustache on the Mona Lisa, but to try to reveal the sound quality the original designer would have produced if they had a) more time, b) more money, c) "newer" thinking, or other constraints.

The most basic, and surprising, upgrade (for me) is cable quality in both signal and power. Sonic improvements are absolutely shocking in some cases. Snipping off spade and lug connectors and direct silver soldering helps, too. (Warning: going to drop an "F-bomb" here). If you haven’t done so, you might try an audiophile FUSE in place of the OEM fuse. You can usually try and return. And, the unit can be returned to "stock" in seconds. Note, that nothing mentioned above changes internal parts or changes the "basic sonic character" of the amp you already like. Just getting things out of the way that degrade its potential.

We have 2 identical amps on hand. One stock, one not-so-stock. The "modded" amp doesn’t just sound better. It sounds like it was built in a different factory at twice the price of the original amp.

The challenge is finding the "right" tech to do the work with experience with the same amp. Might be easier to find the Matco Tool Guy at a Mary Kay convention?

Good luck.

In most cases, it's probably not a good idea. I definitely wouldn't touch it if it were still under warranty. I got a pair of 60's vintage ALTEC 1570B mono blocks and had them modded using Tom Tutay's mods. These mods made a considerable difference and turned old commercial amps into something special in my two-channel system.

@waytoomuchstuff clearly reflected my points of view on what not to do with pure nonsense ESPECIALLY about FUSE so figure out what's gonna happen after "upgrades". 

 

 

 

Unless there is something deficient in the design, or parts have worn out, what is the point? I modded my Willsenton R8 integrated KT88 amp, upgrading and adding some parts (mainly resistors and audio path capacitors, and upgrading a choke) and I tube rolled it. I think it improved the sound a little and it improved the device reliability.