"Okay guys, and gals, who in our audio world is paying automobile mechanics to modify their cars?"
A lot more that you might think. There are lots of performance and aesthetic mods for cars available. There have been for 25 years.
I used to mod electronics, for about 12 years. Lots of my modded components are still out there in use and in demand. I get requests every couple of weeks to mod something, but I have to turn them away.
The thing with mods is to find a PROFESSIONAL, usually an engineer or tech from industry, not a parts swapper. Knowing quality parts is a must, but the ability to reverse-engineer a design to improve it and then do a quality job of soldering etc. is critical. There are a lot of hacks out there, just like in the cable business. Even a lot of engineeers cannot solder well.
Mods are essential IMO for most stock gear. It always has shortcomings, usually in the power delivery, resulting in lackluster dynamics or HF roll-off or both. Tube gear is particularly bad for this. Tube designers dont usually pay much attention to the power delivery, as it is less critical than for SS, but they should. Good tube design competes head-to-head with good SS design, only the midrange is just better. Most of the time, you end-up with "tubiness", bass flabbiness and HF roll-off. Tubes dont have to sound like this. Digital gear is also pretty bad stock. Clocks have high jitter and again, the power subsystem sucks. Installing properly a better clock in a Transport makes a world of difference. Also, Most S/PDIF output circuits are poorly designed and dont even meet spec. Only the most experienced Modders can do these mods however.
Everthing that is not Empirical Audio in my system is modded, everything. Stock is just not good enough.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio |
"Just buy the round peg to start with."
Good luck to you. You will not find it. Even the most expensive gear needs mods IMO. This is because even the most talented designer is not an expert in every discipline. Most companies should look outside for consulting or licensing help, but they dont.
"Personally, I stay away from third party mods. What happens when something breaks or has a problem? "
Good modders warranty their work and repair after the warranty expires. I did it for 12 years or more. Just ask my customers.
"Do you send it to the original maker, the modder, or both to get things fixed the way you want?"
Depends. I used to fix most everything, but if someone really fried a Parasound JC-1 for instance, then it would go back to Parasound. They have an agreement with me. I am a dealer that only sells modded JC-1s.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio |
A totally over the top statement, IMO.
I've modded Mark Levinson, Audionote, Apogee, Bremen, Dodson, Electrocompaniet, Meridian, TACT, DEQX and many others. DEQX adopted some my mods and gave me credit.
I also earned best sound of show for two years at RMAF with modded amps.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio |
"So I suppose if you built your own components from scratch then stock would just not be good enough."
Like I sad, I dont mod anymore. But I do build all of my own components now, because my customers bugged me for years to do this. See my website.
And I do mod my own components. They change and upgrade often, and I offer new upgrades frequently. It's not like other companies that market a product assembled in the thousands in China that cannot be changed for the life of the product. I build in 100 qty typically and make my products modular so the modules can be improved or updated to keep up with the moving technology. This makes it so I can react to improved parts, technologies and mods to keep my products at the top of my game.
Some of my customers have had three generations or more of my products and never had to replace them, just update them with newer modules and tweaks. This saves them money, and gives them confidence that the new version will actually be better than what they had before. Lower risk.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio |
"it is a leap of faith for sure"
Not really, if you do your homework and read the reviews from the customers and reviewers. Make sure that you select a reputable, experienced modder. You should see the quality of the workmanship first before committing.
When I used to mod, I did mods on components from customers world-wide, not just in the US and Canada. They trusted me.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio |
Mapman - you talk like the engineers at the larger high-end audio companies are gods and somehow know all. Could not be further from the truth. If these guys were really that good, particularly with digital design, they would have much better jobs in the computer industry and get stock options from Apple etc.. They would not be at small companies doing low-volume consumer audio.
Even companies like Sony that do high-volume mass-marketed consumer products have issues here. When I modded, I had to fix problems in one Sony DVD/CD player S/PDIF output. On another Sony transport, they actually used the stamped steel chassis as a current return path for a digital signal. It worked, but sounded for s**t. Experienced designers dont make these kinds of mistakes. Large companies often promote their best designers to managers and then the junior designers get to design then products. I've been there. Big mistake IMO.
This perception that the manufacturers know what they are doing in every aspect of the design is a myth. There are a few really good designers out there however, but even they are not good at everything.
I admit that even I am not the best designer at every aspect of the design. This is why I sometimes call on outside experts for consulting and licensing of their designs. This is one way for a small company to achieve world-class designs.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio |
"I know mods can be made to improve but as source only to external DACs Squeezebox Touch punches way above what its modest cost might indicate. Of course, that line has been discontinued. Probably too good to make a profit on as it was. I hope someone else picks up the technology and goes with it. How about you Steve?"
It is unlikely that I will produce mass-market source devices. I dont do software anyway.
I actually modded a few Touches in the past for customers, but they were way too fragile inside, easy to damage.
The Sonos is a nice alternative to Touch, and if you add a Synchro-Mesh reclocker, the performance is identical.
Since you named names, why dont you read the review of the AR DAC8. Nice component, but they evidently needed help on the digital part based on the problems exposed. This is actually a really good case-in-point.
"By what margin does the best digital outperform other very good products? For how much more cost?"
Very good question. It turns out that in most cases there is a leap in performance of digital, both cables and DAC/USB components when you get to the $1000-2000 mark. Many consumers dont achieve this leap in performance in their systems for various reasons, but primarily: Poor preamp that masks good SQ and poor digital source with high jitter that screws everything up from the beginning. Another thing that holds back many DACs is the poor implementation of USB interface.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio |
Mapman - Agreed, their amps are impressive. They are one of the companies that makes tubes sound as good as SS, only better. BTW, I have a customer with DAC8 that really likes it, but he told me you must only connect one digital source at a time, never two at once. If the reviewer had known this, it might have gotten a better review.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio |
