"Original" equipment vs. upgraded equipment

Great thread topic!

I have been a fan of buying solidly built well designed gear within a price point that worked for me with the intention of having it modified by either the OEM or a technician who specialized at working on that gear.

Decades ago it started with the Adcom GFA-555 and a Mission CD Player that I had modded by Musical Concepts. Very good results. Coincidentally my main system amp is away being rebuilt right now and the modified Adcom is in circuit, providing pleasant tunes.

I bought a cj PV-12L line stage about 20 years ago at about $1800 and it sounded very good. As money became available and I became aware of Bob Backert of RHB Dezigns, I took it to him a couple of times and had very invasive, proprietary mods done to that piece. With a total of over $4000 invested in it, I like to think that I’m enjoying the performance of a truly top line preamp without the top line cost. Of course Bob has gone on to found Backert Labs where he is marketing his own designs.

My Marantz SACD player got the Modwright treatment with tube rectified outboard power supply. It sounds great!

Lastly, my SMc Audio modified McCormack DNA-1 amplifier is at SMc Audio right now receiving a 20 year rebuild. As wonderfully open and agile as it was before, it will be thrilling to see what Steve does with it this time.

I know many A’Goners are leary of having their gear upgraded as they fear it will affect the resale price. I’m not looking to do lots of "gear trading". For me, it would become too much about the kit and not enough about the music.

Thanks! I have seen equipment from ARC, Ayre, CJ, etc., where the seller proudly states that the gear is original and not an upgrade from the company. I wonder what those companies would have to say about that?  I made a similar post on Audio Circle a couple of years ago and no one replied.

I would truly love to hear from someone who thinks that upgraded equipment is somehow inferior to non upgraded equipment. One example would be an ARC Ref 75 being upgraded to a 75SE. Is the upgraded version inferior to an original 75SE?  Perhaps desoldering and then resoldering affects the SQ? ; )

@grk regarding the difference between an ARC SE version that was the result of an upgrade from a non SE and one that was not. The latter while identical in circuit terms will contain some parts that are older than others and so will potentially age differently from a stock SE. Whether this difference is material or audible is questionable however it’s good to declare full provenance and provide all the paperwork.

• "One example would be an ARC Ref 75 being upgraded to a 75SE. Is the upgraded version inferior to an original 75SE?"
  

I owned the REF-75. Replaced the KT-120’s with the KT-150 for a nice upgrade. When ARC came out with the REF-75-SE I sold the REF-75 and bought a new REF-75-SE. The SE version has less grain, is more dynamic, is more three dimensional, and overall, is more organic and pleasurable to listen to. Definitely not a backward move.

I recently bought one of Grover’s upgraded Pioneer Elite DVD players to use as my main CD player. Upgraded caps and a beefier power supply. I didn’t A/B the unit, but the upgrades made for a totally killer CD player.

Thanks Grover. :-)

Frank

For me, I would not discount an upgraded unit from the manufacturer.
Sure, it may have some older parts, but I trust the manufacturer to know what needs replacing and what doesn't. If some people are so anal, then let them pay the premium price.
This is why I buy from Ayre, Atma-Sphere and McCormack. 
I never have to worry that my equipment will be obsolete. Far better than buying another new unit and eating the depreciation.
Bob