Mods : Fools Gold or the Real Thing

I can't speak for them all, but Dan Wright that modifies DVD players for use as a transport does nice work and is a great guy. He is an AudiogoN member as well (Dwright) so you can view his feedback. I am sure Dan would be glad to talk to you about what he does. A lot of information is also at his website http://www.modwright.com/ and more specifically http://www.modwright.com/products/transport.php

Given what I've seen on AA relating to the superclock mods for the Sony SACD players and the sonic differences I've heard between well-made and flimsy transports, I'd say mods are the real deal. Remember that essentially everything you can buy retail is a compromise to meet a price point; a modifier who knows what he/she is doing can give a lot of bang for the buck in the way of improvements. The trade off is voiding the warranty on your unit, which may or may not be an issue depending on its age.

Mods can offer some of the best bang for the buck improvements in audio.

I don't know about transports specifically, but as far as mods to a cd player go, I'm sold on them.

In my own system I've heard both the modwright (not sure of price - it's the one Dan brought to CES) tube output Xa777 and the ($360 superclock + ~800 resistor) kern SCD-1 sacd players.

In a side by side comparision both of them completely blew away a stock scd-1. One of the best stock cd players out there. It wasn't even close. I didn't hear the kern and modwright players side by side.

I've met both Dan Wright and Richard Kern and they are both great people to deal with too. Either one of them will tell you their honest opinion on what gives you the best performance/$. I can't recommend one above the other.

I just know I'll never drive stock again!

Kern is at www.audiomod.com, and Wright is at www.modwright.com.