Best Match for Dynaudio Contour S3.4?

Thanks Missioncoonery, Tvad and Dpac for your thoughtful responses. The guy who mods Plinius that I am talking about - Vince Galbo - worked for Plinius for about 12 years. Between him and Scot Markwell (the current US distributor), they were the only two importers of Plinius to the States in the 90s. Vince helped design the amps and knows them inside and out. (e.g. When the company started using cheaper parts to save money, the differences and specs of every component and wire used for every model year, etc).

So.... while I think that your advice may be generally true, I don't believe that is the case here. Even Scot Markwell says that Vince is a genius when it comes to making any Plinius amp sing. With a 102, Vince himself told me not to mod it until I had lived with it for a while - it was that good out of the box.

Now...Dpac, you just killed me with that last post. After many anxiety ridden days, I have on my desk, a check written out to buy an SA-102 for $2400 shipped, mostly due to how great the 9200 sounded, and figuring that the SA-102 would be better in all respects (except maybe raw power). Now you have me wondering again. So I may be back to square one here...

I looked at the Pass X150.5. Everybody says buy the 250.5 because it's just that much better. I can't afford the 250.5, so I punted that idea. Don't know anything about the ARC....but will research that, especially based on your comments. Still wondering about the Odysseys. Spoke to a guy last night powering his Dyn C2s with the Stratos Mono Extremes - had 'em for four years and happy as a clam.

Oh brother.....

04-07-10: Fredorama
...while I think that your advice may be generally true, I don't believe that is the case here.

Sorry. You're wrong,

It doesn't matter who mods the gear, there are fewer buyers interested in modded gear than pristine, factory original versions.

Fewer buyers = less demand = lower prices.

It's just a fact of the market, but it's apparent that you'll have to discover it on your own.

An addendum to my previous post.

Audiogon is an outstanding resource for advice from members who have already travelled the road, learned the hard way, and gotten wiser as a result.

When several members provide similar recommendations based on personal experience, it's a pretty good clue that what's being said is valid.

It's amazing to me how many people seeking advice here receive solid suggestions leaning in one direction, and still the people asking for help go the other direction.

I guess it's human nature.

Tvad, if what you're saying is that the demand will be lower on resale, thus I will get a lower price or it will take longer to sell, then I agree with you 100%. But I am interested in getting a pleasing sonic result first and foremost; not in endlessly switching out my gear year after year.

I really am not concerned if I happen to lose a few hundred bucks because my modded amp will be harder to sell. What I am concerned about is whether the mod improves the sound and performance. Isn't that what we're all here for in the first place? Perhaps you have been buying and selling gear for so long that you have lost focus on the primary reason we are here; to enjoy our music.

I am sorry if that sounded harsh Tvad. I know you are only trying to help.