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Modded CD Player or Stock CD Player?

I am starting this thread in the hope of starting an active and productive discussion on recent experiences folks have had with regard to trying modded digital front ends versus stock front ends. I suggest the criteria for comparison include such things as:

1. Price Performance – “bang for the buck”
2. Reliability,
3. Other factors people use to assess each option,

[So you have a reference point on my system it now consists of all solid state electronics and very revealing speakers as follows...

1. Modded Denon 3910 (Hot Rod Audio Mods) and Stock Cambridge 840C front ends,
2. Soundstring interconnects,
3. Classe CP-60
4. Classe CAM 200 monoblocks
5. Soundstring speaker cables
6. Dynaudio C1 speakers on Dynaudio stands]

My own digital front end experience is likely similar to many others as I first encountered CD players in 1984 (a college friend had a NAD player and we were all a bit envious and in awe of him and his pop and hiss free format playing a rather expensive Police Synchronicity CD). After graduating I bought a near first generation Rotel player in 1986, followed by a used Sonographe that I kept until it died in 2001. I had a Rotel 971 for a while that was replaced by a better sounding (the technology keeps improving) Cambridge 840C that is now sonically upstaged by a modded Denon 3910. The move to a modded player was brought on by an interest in DVD-Audio and SACDs. I have a revealing enough system that the stock Denon was hard to listen to on Hi Rez recordings. The Denon used to sound awful on redbook also, but the modded Denon has a sound that is more detailed than the Cambridge AND a lot smoother like a very good analogue.

I am holding off completing my assessment on reliability as it has only been a few months, but so far so good. The performance has been outstanding and the price comparable (I got my stock Denon player at a discount) to the stock Cambridge CD player. The Cambridge is no slouch – I am keeping it as a back up and also would likely have it modded at a later date.

What are other people’s experiences with modded units versus stock?
ryanvt
tvad
9,467 posts
 
In my system, modded digital players have far exceeded the performance of any stock player I have had (Marantz SA-14, Electrocompaniet EMC 1-UP SE), and as a result I have owned more modded players than stock players.

The downside is that modded players depreciate like bricks. You'll recoup just pennies on the dollar for any investment in mods.

Therefore, I recommend buying used modded players, provided they are from reliable companies who will service the players if necessary.
elevick
2,439 posts
 
I couldn't believe the sound from my modded Music Hall vs stock. It was light years beyond what my CAL Alpha with a Pioneer Elite could do.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
I own a Music Hall 25.2 modded by PartsConnexion as a transport, and I'm quite impressed with the sound. I can imagine the 25.2 with full CD player mods is also excellent.
czbbcl's avatar
czbbcl
1,699 posts
 
My experience with my modded SCD-1 (RAM modifications) reflects what has already been said here.

I would say the closest comparison to my SCD-1 with a stock player (redbook only) would be the audio research cd reference 7.

If and when I replace my SCD-1 it will more than likely be with a new modded player (reputable modder).
strateahed
251 posts
 
I have two modded players ... a TRL modded Sony 2000ES CDP, and an ASI Tek modded Oppo 980H universal (nearly identical to the RAM mod for less $). The TRL Sony is substantially better than stock. The Weitzels take this player to a higher level altogether. My renewed vinyl/turntable interest revealed just how close the TRL comes to analog. It's that good.

The Oppo is a little different story. That's because the stock version is quite good. The 980 is a fairly substantial improvement over the 970 ... especially in terms of audio quality, smoothness, lack of digital glare, etc. With the mod, while positive, there wasn't as much of a leap forward in the sound. However, since the new superclock and other changes affect the video capabilities as well, it's a definite keeper for HT duties.

I agree with Tvad's value assessment regarding new versus used gear; but I plan on keeping my players for the long haul. At the same time, both mods were under $1K and their sound has been compared to the Ayres, Esoterics, and Wadias of the world. So given the choice between paying $5K+ for higher end stock or modding for less cost, I go with the latter.
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