The Frankensteining of Amplifiers


There is an Anthem Statement P2 on Audiogon right now. A really great amp that has garnered good reviews. This particular amp has had many parts replaced in an attempt to upgrade it: resistors caps, wiring etc. I assume that when an amp is initially designed and tested by ear the parts are purposefully chosen to reach a certain sound. Can we assume that replacing parts willy nilly will necessarily improve the sound? May it throw off a purposeful delicate balance of parts in an original design and create something much less than the original? Anyone have any experience with this?
jonhart
No worries PC is a known and good modifier. Parts were not replaced willy nilly. The unit will sound better than stock. Well done and thought out upgrades always improve the sound of gear. The original units didn't use these better parts as they have cost constraints they must live under.

I am no engineer, so I leave that to the designer of the product, whether it be amps or speakers. I see all these posts about replacing caps, replacing this replacing that...I don't get it really. Something made you buy that amp or that pair of speakers. What made you buy it was the sound signature. That sound signiture, as you said, was built in by the the engineer of the product. That person most likely has a better trained ear than my 52 year old ears....I buy things because i think they sound good...and then I leave it alone. If I prefer a different sound, I sell it. 
audioguy85 - I’m no engineer either, but my car, while a well designed sports car, benefitted greatly from an engine control unit and transmission control unit “tune.”  These were done by professional mechanics using “tunes” (essentially software changes to the cars computer controls) made by a world wide recognized company with decades of experience.  In other words, no willy-nilly. To any subjective tester the car’s engine is much more powerful and the transmission shifts faster, while retaining the car’s great handling characteristics and reliability.  Using your rationale, I’ve ruined my car!
Anotherbob 
your car analogy is very relevant here. Your car seems to have been done by pros with some carefully selected modifications intended to raise the bar on an already very good performance profile. Other modders seem to just go to the local hot rod or rider shop and throw all the junk they can find on their ride resulting in power curve suck-outs and incorrect suspension geometry. Like everything in life, a lot depends upon the skill of the modder and the quality and applicability of the parts being used as well as the overall intention of the owner as to what he expects to achieve.


Looking at the ad, the parts replaced fall into 'veils' category:

They most probably will make the amplifier more transparent without radically changing the innate sound quality...

assuming the modifier has the expertise, equipment and EARS to evaluate the changes.

We're I in the market for the Anthem 'house sound', I'd consider it.