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Are some of us losing our minds over upgrades??

I happened to run across a thread from 2011 regarding upgrading CD players; in particular, a Sony XA5400ES which was in the A- column of Stereophile for a few years. Some member had this model Sony player upgraded by Modwright( not sure if related to the amp and pre-amp company). The upgrade cost $2000, and the AG member claimed it was NOW the best sounding player on the planet.

OK, let me cut to the chase, I have seen adds for used Sony XA5400ES on AG between $1000 to $1200. Original retail was $1499 Call me crazy or a cheapskate, but lets say for argument sake you bought this player for $1100, and had it upgraded by Modwright, you have invested $3100 plus shipping in a CD player that may not necessarily be superior to the Ayre CX7emp which was the player that was being compared to both the pre-upgraded Sony, and of course the post-upgraded Sony. Nevertheless, I don't understand the logic behind such a move. I would like to hear from members that may own an upgraded XA5400ES, or anyone else who wants to provide insight into the upgrade craze. Thanks, Jim
sunnyjim
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,597 posts
 
Some people feel that for the $3100 cost of the modded Sony they are getting a player that sounds better than cd players that cost $5000 or more. If they are happy with the modded player, that's what counts, to them.

Other people are sceptical about mods and feel that if you are going to spend $3100 on a cd player you should buy one that costs $3100 to begin with, and that is what those people should do.

It is not a matter of logic but one of preference and it's useless to try to apply logic to people's preferences, especially in a matter that is so subjective to begin with.

I once read an article about hearing aids in which a doctor said that if you sent him 10 people with identical hearing profiles all 10 would want their hearing aids adjusted differently.

There's just no one right way to enjoy recorded music.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
I wouldn't pay to have the mod performed, but I have heard modded equipment sound better than much more expensive gear. Not all the time, mind you, but it does happen. I bought a Marantz SA-11S1 that had a $3200 mod by pcX done on it about 7 years ago on Audiogon. It sounded better than two more expensive CDP's I owned at that time, so I sold them and kept the modded Marantz.

7 years later, it still sounds great. I keep it because it would only bring me $1500-$2000 in return, but I'd have to pay over $5000 to beat it sonically. No matter what the glossy rags would have you believe, technology has not changed that much.
vhiner
544 posts
 
I've heard mods done to a variety of DACs, amps and preamps. John Hillig and John Wright are masters at this and their mods are absolutely worth the very reasonable sums they charge. However, most of their mods are in the sub $1,000 range.

I think the challenge with multi-thousand dollar mods is judging the return on one's investment. If one is going to keep the gear, then it's strictly a subjective call; if you like the sound, it was worth it. If, however, you plan on re-selling the gear, I don't find the super expensive mods to be a "sound" investment because you rarely recoup the investment when re-selling.

To get a taste of what a moderate modification can do, replace your stock fuses with some Hifi Tuning or Synergistic fuses. Be careful, though. You might get bitten by the upgrade bug. ;-)
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
"There's just no one right way to enjoy recorded music"
Well said and so true.
dragon1952
181 posts
 
I, personally, have never 'got' buying an inferior component and then spending big bucks for supposed upgrades when that same final dollar figure could get you something well designed and well implemented in the first place.
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