Component Upgrade/Mods to share?

Twl is right on. The failure rate on parts is down right frightening. Most would rather have parts returned than to test each one to make sure that they meet spec. This despite the fact they give themselves rather generous tolerances. Some manufacturers (Dunlavy comes to mind) sorts and matches parts prior to manufacture and then indiuvidually fine tune each finished piece to match a reference model. AlbertPorter I belive the early Snells ( when Dr. Snell was at the helm)were treated the same way. Mixing and matching parts by reputation can be risky. I'll make another food analogy that will humour some. If one just follows a recipe with out considering the ripness (or lack there of) with out compensation they will never excell as a chef (it is chemistry and physics after all). IMHO fine tuning with lesser parts can yield better results than better parts with out fine tuning. While using the best parts and best skills should bring out the best (It SHOULD be easier too). It's more important whats comes out than what goes in. Unless you access to extensive test equipment and know how to use it, mods may be entertaining and educational,but not necessarily an upgrade. Another consideration is whether your work even, if sucessful is devaluing your initial purchase. Many people are turned off to purchasing self moddified used products. You may even void the warranty. With all that negativeity I encourage you to try. That's how this hobby started in the first place. It should keep manufacturers on their toes knowing that people are going to inspect their work and see if their getting their money' worth. Please share your decision/results with us.

I swapped out the cheapo mylar/electrolytic capacitors for axon polypropylene caps and those 12 cent resisitors with good non inductive ones.Also changed out the internal speaker wire as well in my small Klipsch bookshelf speakers.Made a vast inprovement in sound.

I have a PS Audio HCA-2 amp and replaced the dual runs of larger gauge Monster output wiring with quadruple runs of Jena Labs 18 ga. cryo'd wiring with outstanding results (everything better, no downside).

It was such a transformation for this amp that I started thinking about capacitors next. A guy on AA (Fiddler) used Black Gate caps on the four caps in the signal path and I made the same mod last week. Way too soon to tell what the final break-in sound will be like, but it's already doing things better than before (weight, low level information, decay, air etc.). The problem is it's still changing everyday. When you figure I've only added $130 to the cost of this amp with both mods and am now very happy with what I've got, the mods are a real cost-effective upgrade.

I am waiting for my speaker designer to get back to me with new values for Caps and Inductors. I asked those designers with experience with the particular drivers I am using to give me their opinions to which Caps,Inductors and resistors would work best.

After getting the vaues I will then switch out the caps first then the other parts as they breakin to see what effect are improving.

It is better to go slow on any changes that you are doing to make certain you are getting improved performance. Otherwise oyu might trip up the whole upgrading process.

I am experimenting with Cables also.

Good luck!