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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
audioguy85's avatar
audioguy85
2,018 posts
 
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. 
anotherbob's avatar
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anotherbob
341 posts
 
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!
spinaker01
491 posts
 
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.


ieales's avatar
ieales
1,201 posts
 
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.



bigkidz
3,373 posts
 

Well her is my two cents worth.  Upgrading parts or swapping parts comes down to what parts.  Most manufacturers build equipment to a price point.  The old Counterpoint SA-5000 preamp used a $7.00 volume control for a $4000 mfg. list priced unit.  It sounds good but not the best that can be applied.

When I modify something I generally begin with the power supply.  I use Nichicon caps there.  They are very good sounding, not too expensive and they provide good results.  I look at the other parts to see what is in there.  Resistors like Mills, Aamtrans, Caddock to me always sound better in the correct position. I also like the sound of V-Caps.

Sometimes I feel the design is not the best and I may upgrade that also.  That may require a little more skill.  I also like to go with point-to-point wiring when I can.

Changing the house sound will happen but it depends on what you are looking for.  More sound stage dimension?  More details?  Deeper Bass extension.  Clarity, dynamics, slam, etc. Once you get a handle on what parts make those sound changes, you can get a better idea of what the unit will sound like.

This has nothing to do with the skill of the modifier, as anyone of you can swap out these parts.  It is really not rocket science or very hard.  Plus you can hear the differences and decide for your self if just swapping out parts works for you.

As far as the car analogy, yes you probably need more skill installing those modification but they are probably already designed and tested kits.  For parts swapping, think of changing tire brands, performance tires, larger tires, to see how those change the performance of your car, installing larger brake calipers, things like that some of you can probably do on your own.

If you look at the Vandersteen speaker HP filters, they use WIMA capacitors and cheap resistors along with a dip switch that costs a dollar but the retail price for the pair is $900!  I built my own and in my opinion they are a level up.

Just sayin'.  Happy listening.    

 


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