Looking for amp $1000 or under

Sure, if you want to give it a shot start off just changing out the 4 signal coupling caps. 2 caps are run in series for each channel to total 4 signal caps. Back when this amp was being modded everyone was using black gates but they are no longer available. You could consider Audio Note caps. Contact Chris at Parts Connextion he may be able to guide you with the best cap choice and new internal wire. Also Jeff at Sonicraft can help. Call PS Audio they will email you the schematics. Total cost can't cost more than $100 or so for caps and wire. Those stock signal caps are cheap junk so is stock monster wire. Google PS Audio HCA-2 Reference Audio Mods Audio Circle or anything with modding the PS Audio HCA 2, there is a lot of info out there. Another tweak to help smooth out hca2 is to remove the bolt holding down the tordal transformer, it is noticeable but subtle. if you do remove bolt just be careful when moving amp around. If you do this and like what you hear then move on to changing out power supply caps.

Get schematics from ps Audio they have awesome customer service and the answer phone and will send you schematics on the spot. Then email schematics to parts Connextion and Sonicraft and they will guide you through mod.

It might not be a bad idea to mention the pre amp as well, it will have something to say about the end result.  I’m also wondering about the cabling, or at least the speaker cables.  Hopefully pizzamn is using more than just lamp cord.

I Have a Marantz SR7010, Bluesound Node 2i, audio art speaker cables and audioquest RCA connectors. Can anyone recommend someone who can do the mod on the amp?
thanks,
Ron D

Ron are you using marantz as a preamp to your ps audio amp? If so that may be the problem. If so pre and hca2 don't match up impedance properly. If you can find a preamp within your budget first that is route I would go. Tube Preamps mates well with hca2. Maybe an old Conrad Johnson, Audible Illusion or something on the warm side with a full big sound. Sell hca 2 and get a hybrid tube