Sonics of tube modifications from Modwright

Interestingly, Robert Harley's "Complete Guide to High End Audio" defines transparent as:

Sonic description of a component or system that has very low levels of coloration. A soundstage that in which the acoustic space sounds clear rather than veiled.

Based on the first sentence dealing with coloration, my opinion of the Modwright Sony 999ES with Signature Truth mod is that the player is colored. It's not neutral like at least one other player I have owned. It has a bit of midrange warmth and is a touch rolled off in the highs, IMO. Having said this, I really like the player, so the non-neutrality does not bother me.

Regarding the second sentence of the definition, I find the Modwright produces a very clear acoustic space.

FWIW...

Wonder if dealer is just saying this beause he assumes that anything added is and artifact that is is uneeded.Like NR filter (I used to use cassettes w/o Dolby myself).But if you look at the parts used in Modwright or Parts Connection Mods the cost multiple that is needed to a part is about four to one.That is if you ad a $10 diode you'd need charge $40 for it in retail.Thus you get a decent value with parts in after market,say with Blackgate Caps, as opposed to the ones that Sony uses because of cost constriants,paying for their retail value and labor.So if they know what they are doing it makes for a better product period.It maybe the dealer is thinking,and thus hearing added elemeants why he assumes pushes unit farther away from "straight wire and gain".But even I question the tube outputs.I just feel that tubes should be sued to change voltage in a pre as opposed to aaded as a filter.I have heard units with Parts Connection work but not Modwright.Haven't done it yet to do it but I'd like to A/B signature truth mods with tube output and without but from modded equipment I have heard I am sure it's better than stock.I think that the dealer might have a point if he were speaking about cost is no object players like a $10K Meridian where they have no contraints on R and D plus parts.Buyt with a $500 to $3K unit from Sony?Bring your unit in and do a blind A/B for him.Nop doubt he'd prefer the Modwright AND think it the more transparent.
Chazz

i don't perceive any subtractive coloration when listening to modwright components. if anything, they are too detailed.

Chazzbo: This dealer is not a brick and mortar where I could simply take my player to his store and A/B against some of his players. I met him online through Audiogon. When I listed my equipment, his opinion of Modwrights is that they lack transparency. It was the first time I'd seen that description of their house sound. This dealer said, and I quote, "I am not a big fan of the Modwright tubed stage.. it looses too much info/transparency, its punchy and somewhat musical, but blurs the info somewhat and slows it down... some like that.. I feel it sounds additive.. almost like an old loudness control..." This dealer has been promoting that the Cary 306 SACD would be more to my liking based on my sonic preferences, but I'm sticking with the 999ES.