Resale value of modded CD players?

I believe the answer to that question depends a great deal on how much
time has passed since the player was first purchased. It's been my
observation by watching the classifieds that modified players lose their
value more quickly than unmodified players, but that eventually both
modified and unmodified players eventually settle around 50%-60% of
"retail"...assuming by retail we mean the original retail price
of the unmodded player plus the retail value of the modification.

Also, much of the value of digital players relies on what's
"hot" at the moment and what's new or coming. For
example, the recent shift from Denon 2900 to Denon 3910 Universal
players has severely affected the market for modified Denon 2900
machines. It's no one's fault...it's just the quickly advancing state of the
digital art.

Some players, though, will settle and retain a fairly consistent used
value. The Sony SCD-1 comes to mind. These players in their original,
untouched versions have consistently sold for around $2500 for almost
a year and a half. But, this is rare. One could not expect modified
versions of these machines to sell for much more than $2500, IMO. The
value of the modification drops off steeply. That's why buyers of
modified machines need either to be acutely aware of the shifting
market, or be certain of what they're buying so that the machine will be
enjoyed for the long term.

Traditionally, mods don't recoup much of the investment on resale. I've been on both ends of it, selling units I had modified and buying units modified by someone else.
First, who performs the mod is critical. For instance, a Steve McCormack mod of a McCormack amp will bring back more of the money invested than a mod by just a mod company. I've been invloved with deals involving units modded by EAD, Mod Squad, and GNSC, in each case the resale recovered about 20-40% of the money invested in the mod. Not a particularly good investment.

I do feel the mods make a sonic improvement, but I won't eat the cost of having the mod performed, any more than I will pay full list price on new. It's just not a good investment. I will buy used equipment that has been modded by a professional that I respect. I wouldn't look twice at an amateur mod though.

Cheers,
John

Interesting question, it depends. Let's say you bought a stock player then sent if off to one of the well known modification guys. Add up everything and well, you'll be hard pressed to recoup your investment.

What if you someone bought a stock player, then bought top drawer parts and had the ability to do really good work? Would you should be willing to pay the cost of the unit plus the cost of the parts?

John, I agree with your example of the McCormack modified amps,
however their value has a great deal to do with the nature of amplifier
design vs. digital design. Well designed amplifiers change much less
often than digital source components. Also, it's significant that Steve
McCormack is modifying and improving amplifiers of his own design.

This is what's intriguing to me about Alex Peychev's work, because his
"mod" of the Denon Universal players is really a total re-
design of the circuitry. Once he's able to implement his designs in his
own "box", his products may be more akin to what Steve
McCormack is doing with his amplifiers.