I have the modded unit by the XDR guy. It is my 4th best tuner. The reason it is last is because it is a little mechanically noisy. You won't notice it unless you have it close by, as on a desk.
Saying that, my unit benefitted greatly by using a higher end RCA cable. In my case, it was an Audience Au23 SE RCA. The reception is the best of all my tuners, including one that cost $8K (that has the worst reception). However, there are ways to improve reception.
When considering sound quality, it is close to my 3rd best tuner, a Sansui TU-9900. I got the Sansui for $750 so it is compared able to the modded XDR which cost me $500. I like the Sansui a bit more because it is more detailed though my warmest tuner.