Congrats. I'm glad the mods worked out for you in spades.
I used Auricaps as an upgrade to a kit I built a while back. They were on par with some more expensive stuff by popular boutique makers.
While I can't speak to the sonic potential of each of those modification upgrades you and the Guru performed, logic and experience say that you should hear some upgrade to the sound quality. I wouldn't be surprised if the betterment was material--especially to someone who owned the unit pre modification, as you would be greatly familiar with it.
You may get some responses to your posts where people criticize modifications as being sacrilegious. I view these hifi items as machines that a usually clever designer made to sell to run a business. Parts quality matters. It just does, but that doesn't mean you have to spend a fortune building or upgrading these devices. I think you can do the things you did and see the best that this design could offer or better than the stock unit built to a certain price point. |
Whoops, I forgot.... Hope you are listening to gobs of music old, familiar, new and so on!!! Enjoy what you did! |
Thanks, jbhiller! All of the mods were performed by Ralph Abramo of PliniusRepair, so I can't take any of the credit. It was an extensive modification of the original units- akin to a major organ transplant without the huge hospital bill. The net result is natural musical detail at its highest peak. Sometimes I have to pinch myself!
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And, now that you have gone to all that trouble to beat the system, the system beats you.
Read my review of the Legacy Audio i.V4 Ultra Amplifier at Dagogo.com
Only a direct comparison would tell which is preferred, but I would put my money on the i.V4 Ultra, given the variety and pedigree of amps I have handled.
I used to think that inexpensive gear and/or modded old gear was a great way to beat the system. Not really, not in my experience. :)
Regarding audio gurus, you pick your authority, you get your results! |
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After an evening of listening to classical LP's on pressings of varying quality, they all came through with sonic perfection. Now that the Plinius amp and preamp are fully broken in and the Class A mode is cooking, I can recommend these components without hesitation.
I'm uninterested in having a pissing contest about Class D versus Class A because it's pointless. But if you insist, my Plinius is bigger than yours! |
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I also got my Plinius SA102 modded by Ralph and I was pretty satisfied. I also have Plinius M16P.
Then, I got Audible Illusions M3B MM preamp, and it was a huge improvement and now I am very satisfied with the overall sound. Huge 3D sound stage. Especially, orchestral music sounds fantastic, which is probably hardest to reproduce correctly.
I thought about modding M16P too, but I was not sure about it, and went for AI instead.
Now M16P is used in my second system. |
@ihcho
Congratulations! I consider Ralph to be a national treasure. Plinius would have to charge three times the price for their components if they duplicated Ralph's mods, but they wouldn't know how to. Even in your second system, I recommend modding the M-16 because it transforms the factory product into a component that takes it well beyond its original performance, which is great to begin with. Sometimes you hit the jackpot!
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Yes, I am thinking of upgrading my M16.
I am just happy with AI M3B and do not listen to my second system that often, but I am curious about how much M16 will sound better after the upgrade. |
I got the SA-102 first from Ralph, and used my Cambridge Audio 840-E as the preamp while waiting for him to send the M-16. I thought that my Cambridge components were exceptionally neutral, and was not prepared to be blown away when I installed the M-16. I cannot in good conscience resell my Cambridge amp and preamp. It would be wrong! |
@ihcho
Congratulations! I consider Ralph to be a national treasure. Plinius would have to charge three times the price for their components if they duplicated Ralph's mods, but they wouldn't know how to. Even in your second system, I recommend modding the M-16 because it transforms the factory product into a component that takes it well beyond its original performance, which is great to begin with. Sometimes you hit the jackpot!
I have my Plinius M16-P upgraded. I noticed that the sound opened up more and it sound more clear. Well worth the upgrade.
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@ihcho,
Congratulations again! Now, I think it's time to put that M16P in your primary system and see if it stays. I'll bet it does, so let me know!
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Ralph may do great repairs but his website has the cheesiest template photos and wallpaper I have ever seen. Like this photo;
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Next time I speak to Ralph, I'll suggest he put up a picture of his vintage 'Vette.
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@ihcho,
Congratulations again! Now, I think it’s time to put that M16P in your primary system and see if it stays. I’ll bet it does, so let me know!
Well, the upgraded M16P sounds pretty good and the phono sound also improved. However, if I were to choose, AI M3B over Plinius by a small margin. Now I listen to Plinius SA-102 and M16P for most digital music and casual listening, QuickSilver KT monoblock and AI M3B are for audiophile vinyls and more serious listening. Both setups work well with my Gershman Grand Avant Garde.
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Your system, by description, sounds pretty amazing. I would love to hear it in person. I've discovered a product that I use as a contact enhancer that I sent to Ralph and he was impressed in that it was superior to his own. If you'd like, I'll send you a sample bottle free of charge to try. I might be marketing it, so your opinion would be most welcome. I would just need to know where I'm sending it. Ask Ralph about the fluid that Matt sent him.
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