Preamp modifications - who would you use?

01-23-11: Strateahed
..the notion that an audiophile is going to feel something sounds better just because they paid to have something modded is just not true ... at least not in my case.

That wasn't exactly my point, but it's my fault for not expressing it more clearly.

The point I was attempting to make was that different is not necessarily better, IMO...particularly in the case of the Lamm LL2 Deluxe, which has such a large library of positive reviews because of its sound. Changing the parts in a Lamm LL2 Deluxe may make it sound different, and it may also make individual aspects of its sonic characteristics better, but if the preamp's house sound has been appreciably altered in the process, then the result as a whole may not be better. After all, its the preamp's house sound that has resulted in the many positive reviews.

It's a big "if", and you don't know what the end result is going to be until it's done. To me, messing with a good thing is risky. That's all I'm saying.

I believe mods are an excellent way to improve upon a component that is clearly lacking in some way. Modwright's mods of various Sony DVD/SACD players (particularly those prior to the 5400ES) is a prime example.

I believe mods are an excellent way to improve upon a component that is clearly lacking in some way.

Tvad, I agree with your observations regarding the risk of screwing up something that a good designer spent a considerable amount of time to design and spec. The Lamm may therefore be a poor example to use for this case. However, there are other examples where equipment was designed to a price point limiting the cost of components, where the equipment is older and the available parts quality has improved since the original design, and where newer technology has become available (such as in power filtration and regulation). Those types of examples may be more applicable here. I plan to start with a couple of the names on the list, send some pictures of the insides of the preamp and power supply, talk with them about what they believe can may be accomplished, and then decide how/if I want to proceed.

I appreciate the names provided here, several of which I did not initially consider, and I also found benefit in the general discussion regarding the risks of modding equipment.

"01-13-10: Ejmac70
During the modified period, there was greater top-end sparkle; however, the unit also lost all of the musical characteristics for which one selects a Jadis product! To be clear, I do not recommend this option.”

I extracted the above from another thread because it exemplifies what I believe to be one of the greatest caution points of modifications: The achievement of a specific desired virtue at the expense of the subtle voicing of a component. I can almost assure you that some of the changes made involved upgrading parts.

I too believe Tvad is giving very good advice to consider. There is also the question of what happens should you ever need to send the unit back to the original manufacturer for any repair or work. What happens then to the modded parts and work?

Good luck,
Will

Consider Wayne of Bolder Cable Co. I've got him working on a DAC for me now and from my experience with other pieces he's modified he does great work.