I own a level 2 mod JD 100A by Underwood Wally and parts Connexion, that I use for all my CD's. IMO opinion it is an equivalent sound on CD from my McIntosh MCD 301. Obviously it doesn't play SACD. I am considering selling but I see a stock one listed at well under the level 1 mod px of $690 so.........there's that but I don't think you can appreciate the sound of this hotrod without standing in front of it
I see what others say about changing the designer intent but less so here on a TUBE based CD unit. A different sonic flavour maybe but floating amoung the invisible blacks are blacker resolving more low level detail, spatial and ambient retrieval; smoother yet more detailed and dynamically more exciting; tonal balance; tonal balance is more even.from bass to treble while fleshing out the amazingly liquid midrange of the stock machine; Imaging is cleaner & more defined while bass is dramatically improved. The modded unit has much fuller weight and authority. The modded unit transcends"one note" flabby bass. It sounds more like solid-state in this area. If you have a chance to hear a modded one take. I dont htin kther's a better sounding CD machine under $5k and maybe more.
I see what others say about changing the designer intent but less so here on a TUBE based CD unit. A different sonic flavour maybe but floating amoung the invisible blacks are blacker resolving more low level detail, spatial and ambient retrieval; smoother yet more detailed and dynamically more exciting; tonal balance; tonal balance is more even.from bass to treble while fleshing out the amazingly liquid midrange of the stock machine; Imaging is cleaner & more defined while bass is dramatically improved. The modded unit has much fuller weight and authority. The modded unit transcends"one note" flabby bass. It sounds more like solid-state in this area. If you have a chance to hear a modded one take. I dont htin kther's a better sounding CD machine under $5k and maybe more.