Jkalman, Being able to mod a component of lesser value to perform better or as good then more expensive components is been widely known by many audiophiles who want more better sound for less. Look at all the forums and hype on modding a oppo 981 for less then a thousand and those who have done it say it's in the area of $4000 to $7000 cd players. Rick Shultz does amazing things to the oppo.
Just because people think it is true, or say it is true, doesn't mean it is true...
Also, just because people by the stuff doesn't make it true either, the modders could just be manipulating a market for profit. Some proof on your part that the mods produce higher quality sound would go a long way in proving your point and disproving that the mods are not just some very creative and biased fiction.
As David Hannum said, "there's a sucker born every minute."
As far as pride in owning a Jaguar then a modded chevy has been the fall of man since the beginning. Mans obsession for material is strong. Not my prejudice just the way man is. Our nature is we want to out do the guy down the street. Material is a status item to this society called America.
Besides any failings of human nature....
I find this a little amusing, because no one in my daily life knows what a Wilson speaker is (or Vandersteen, or any other speaker on the original list). OK, maybe one guy, but only because I took him to HE2007 with me... Before that he never heard of them before. How many people in your daily life can tell the difference between a high-end piece of equipment and a cool looking Harman Kardon receiver? I think I know two people total, besides my equipment dealers, who know a few hifi companies (one is only an acquaintance), that is all! Meanwhile, everyone single person I know is aware of what a Jaguar is... If you want to impress the people you deal with on a daily basis, there are much better ways to accomplish that goal (unless of course, you are constantly surrounded by Audiophiles).
