Update: After two weeks, the sound of the modded G68, which was excellent to begin with, has improved dramatically. The initial improvements were increased resolution, decreased harshness, and better PRaT. But in the past week or so, the improvements have expanded to include better dynamics, coherence, soundstaging, and harmonic realism.
I am inclined to attribute these recent improvements to the mods breaking in. But there is a confounding variable, which is that, a few days ago, I removed about half the circuitry in the G68, for reasons described here. I removed all the video circuitry, the multizone circuitry, and the tuner, none of which I use. That resulted in an immediate improvement in sound quality.
After I removed the excess circuitry, I got the distinct impression that I was hearing the effects of the RAM mods for the first time, and that the excess circuitry was masking the real improvements. This impression was confirmed by the fact that I have heard incremental improvements each day since, which I believe to be improvements associated with the mods breaking in.
Whatever the cause, I can say that the G68 now sounds like a different machine. Better in every respect. I had a friend over who is very familiar with my system and he was equally impressed with the improvements. Prior to this, the greatest cost-to-improvement ratio I had experienced was when I added a reclocker to my system. The cost-to-improvement ratio of the RAM mods exceed that, and so far exceed cable swapping as to be hardly worth comparing.
Other than lingering concerns about reliability problem with the G68 (problems that preceded, and that are therefore not attributable to, the mods), I am very happy. I am now looking at the rest of my system and wondering what else I can send Kyle to mod.
Bryon
I am inclined to attribute these recent improvements to the mods breaking in. But there is a confounding variable, which is that, a few days ago, I removed about half the circuitry in the G68, for reasons described here. I removed all the video circuitry, the multizone circuitry, and the tuner, none of which I use. That resulted in an immediate improvement in sound quality.
After I removed the excess circuitry, I got the distinct impression that I was hearing the effects of the RAM mods for the first time, and that the excess circuitry was masking the real improvements. This impression was confirmed by the fact that I have heard incremental improvements each day since, which I believe to be improvements associated with the mods breaking in.
Whatever the cause, I can say that the G68 now sounds like a different machine. Better in every respect. I had a friend over who is very familiar with my system and he was equally impressed with the improvements. Prior to this, the greatest cost-to-improvement ratio I had experienced was when I added a reclocker to my system. The cost-to-improvement ratio of the RAM mods exceed that, and so far exceed cable swapping as to be hardly worth comparing.
Other than lingering concerns about reliability problem with the G68 (problems that preceded, and that are therefore not attributable to, the mods), I am very happy. I am now looking at the rest of my system and wondering what else I can send Kyle to mod.
Bryon