Modified equipment...


I want feedback on buying/selling modified equipment. Do think mods devalue gear or add value in some cases? Don't you think you're better off leaving a piece of gear stock as it came from the factory and just upgrading to a better component altogether??
puroagave
I recently sold a Dan Wright modded 333es. I had 20 offers in one night. I don't believe that blanket statements really can apply here. I was able to get good value on the price paid for the mods. On the topic of mods I have found them the most cost effective way to improve the performance of certain gear. I would not mod an uktra expensive piece but to get extra perfomance out of something like a rega tonearm, Pioneer DVD player or the Sony sacd players that are being modded is really were the big benefits are. The resale value of the mods will differ greatly case by case. Exchanging parts for ones of higher quality is very simple and will do no harm to the long term operation and will have incredible results for the dollar. I would happily buy any modded equipment as long as I know specifically what was done and by whom.
well...never say never. I've gotten my money out of mods. You would never do it to some pieces just bc. of warranty. For many pieces it's not so bad and is often very efective. You will probably never sell it to a retailer like HellosimplyMusic.
i think some tried and true mod companies (stan warren; great northern audio) will not improve the resale but will allow you to sell it without a give away price. i have bought one piece of gear that was modded (by the designer himself as sf). it would not work with my equipment. he took it back (thank goodness). that was the last piece i will buy that is modded. fwiw.
Agree with Chelillingworth, it all depends on the success and reputation of the mod. For over 20 years modified DQ-10 Dahlquists(mirror-imaged, updated crossovers..etc)have been of more value than stock. It all depends on how well received the after-market mods are.

AMG Mercedes mods were so successful that Mercedes bought AMG...and what does this have to do with Audio gear...perhaps more and more as time passes and the high-end continues to shrink. We may someday be left with people doing mods to mainstream electronics for a "high-end".
What about SMC modified McCormack equipment? I think these mods would return some of their additional cost and SMC waranties their entire product.