Here's an interesting thread I started on AA. Addresses this issue. FWIW, I just bought a Teac Esoteric P500 used on Ebay for less than $300. I may consider doing mods via Great Northern Sound.
http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.pl?forum=digital&n=73597&highlight=tommytube&r=&session=
http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.pl?forum=digital&n=73597&highlight=tommytube&r=&session=