Doh! Modding vs. Selling

@ddzstereo   Do you perform the modifications yourself?  If so, I envy you your circuit knowledge and soldering skills.  Regarding doing mods in stages, that's kind of what I did with my power amp.  I had it modded modestly the first time, upgraded 2 years later and then just had a major rebuild done 18 years after that.  The latest mods. have just burned in after a month of almost constant use.  Things have come along way in the last two decades!

I mod everything I have owned or will own for better sound to me. The parts quality in our high end gear would shock most of you. Not commensurate with the price. Not even close. I can think of no better way to greatly improve your existing SQ for the money.

No problem selling for me. I have sold lots of modified gear over the years. Many informed folks know that well executed upgrades can really improve the sound of an already good piece of gear.

I can see why some are nervous as this is certainly something only a minority of us would feel comfortable with. Good news is there are plenty open minded enough to buy. In addition, it seems DIY interest is growing in this hobby as folks are realizing they can save money and achieve great sound. Many of my audio friends have learned how to make great sounding cables for reasonable money.
Part of the fun!

@ddzstereo.  I also love the smell of solder in the morning! 

No mods.
The only mod I would like to do is change over several captive cord older devices to IEC plug.
The fuss to cut the hole is the big deterrent.
I have just added the IEC right outside the box. But for 'good' equipment I do not want to cut it that way.

I built a Hafler kit once. DH110
I did replace the parts in the crossover for a pair of speakers back in about 1994? but I would never do it again. Too much bother. Once I got started, I wanted to finish it. But if I had known the hassle, no way.

Hifiman5 - yes I do my own mods.  Although I have an electronics background my first significant learnings came in the late 80s from Audio Amateur.  The learning process never ends and there are plenty of enthusiasts at diyaudio.com or audioasylum.com 

"Personally I have learned, that except for my DIY work, if I get an itch to mod a piece of gear, I am better of trading it in."

Personally, if I get an itch to mod a piece of gear, it had better be worth modding to begin with, or I’d trade it in. I’ve usually owned it for a few years already.

As you can see from my system, I’ll mod just about anything, but generally draw the line at 5 figure stuff. Most of the work I’ve had done for me for the following reasons: I didn’t have the time; have the schematics; the unit has double sided circuit boards; or I planned massive parts changes (Danger Will Robinson!). Always choose the parts to be used since it is possible my tastes may not be the same as a professional modder. I’ve done lots of mods and kit building myself. Thankfully, after 40 years or so of tinkering, my system is done.