Replace Cambridge Audio D500 or add DAC?

In response to the above posts concering the sony sacd players and mods, the mods on my 333es are wonderful and the REDBOOK sound exceeds that of many dacs in the $1500 dollar range. If you have not specifically heard one of the sony's modded then I think you can't have any idea at the level of improvement. This isn't just putting fancy feet under the thing it is dramatically upgrading the power supply, analog out etc.. with parts of much higher quality found in the dacs mentioned in previous posts.
My mods were done by Dan Wright of Modwright his website www.modwright.com will give you the technical details and his chatboard as many responses, thoughts and comparisons worth reading. I would hope that before someone would voice such strong opinions and use of the caps lock fee that a brief education or listen would be in order.

Chelillingworth,
Hey, I'm happy for everyone who loves their S9000ES, other Sony, or any other player/dac. I didn't care for the unmodified S9000ES. I made made no comments about any modified derivatives. Regardless, the guy asked for opinions, and I gave mine.

Frankly, I believe your comment, "...before someone would voice such strong opinions... a brief education or listen would be in order," is out of order and an overeaction. Have you heard a balanced Theta DS Pro Gen Va with the 24/96 upsampling upgrade? If not, take your own advice. On what basis do you found your assertion that I lack listening experience or education? Last but not least, my only comment, "IMHO it was univolving," is far from strongly worded.

As far as the assertion that the Modright versions have, "parts of much higher quality [than] found in the dacs mentioned in previous posts," I wonder if you're serious? It certainly appears those Modwright mods are some worthwhile & legitimate upgrades. It's great to see someone reputable offering that service. What information did you base that assertion on with regard to the upgraded balanced Theta DS Pro Gen Va's parts quality? I'd really like to know.

P.S. what were you trying to say with "...and use of the caps lock fee...?"

Hey Cuz, the post was directed to one of the other posters who advised against getting any Sony modded or not. I too questioned this advice as I am sure that the poster had not heard a modded Sony given his geographical location and the lack of Canadian members who have sacd players much less those who own a modded version. To my knowledge there are none, modded units that is, here in Canada, mine (333ES)will be the first and Lorne Cherry's the second (XA777ES), neither of which has been touched by Richard Kern as of yet(awaiting parts from the UK).

So Cuz, Chellingsworth was not taking issue with your particular post about the Theta and I have no opinion on the "caps" issue.

"I would hope that before someone would voice such strong opinions and abuse the caps lock key that a brief education or listen would be in order"

My post was indeed posted prior to the post concerning the Theta gear came out, I have not heard the Theta and wouldn't be able to comment on it. I have decided to start proofreading. The above is a correction of the confusing sentance referenced on an above post.

The point that I was trying to get across is that the modded Sony's share very little with their stock companions. I definately do not care for the stock 333es and bought for sacd only and to use as a transport for my Bel Canto 1.1. When it returned from Dan Wright the transformation was stunning and far beyond what I had thought was possible. I is therefor easy to believe as Natalie did that it would still be substandard on Redbook and did so in a way (CAPITOLS ET ALL) that made it sound like someone would be crazy to go this route. I found it to be extremely cost efeective and of such high performance that I sold my 1.1. Thus started my rant on such heated critisism of my very reasonable suggestion. I apologise if the mistiming of the posting made it seem like it was directed at the Theta post which O feel was well written and backed by experience.
Cheers !

Cool. Sounds good. I have to admit I read it several times and was never positive whether it was partially directed at me.

I have no doubt that those mods would make a real big improvement. I have a Cary Audio cd player that is nothing but a Rotel 955 with a totally replaced analog section. Come to think of it, I need to sell that thing. Anyway, the replacement tube output section was quite impressive. It's also good to know that others are aware that the analog section can make a huge difference in the sound of the front end. On one hand this last statement might sound ridiculously apparent. However, how often do you see a manufacturer advertising anything other than what type of processing some of the chips do? Almost never. Happy listening.