Who does best SS preamp modifications?

Check out Bill Thalman

Bob Backert
1. He has the knowlodge and years of experience
2. Modifications are design based on owner's goals, preferances, recommendation and price range.
3. He isn't into sells of other products so there is no issue of being bias towards one brand or the other.
4. He loves what he does and does it with the passion. Your satisfaction is his reward.
5. I have not met a single soul that wasn't floored with the improvments (i said met...not heard).
6. Most come back for more.......he is that good.

Very easy to talk to. Pleasure to deal with.

Warranty - who needs that when you have Bob.

Resale - if you are already thinking about selling.......do not do it. I have said that before and I will say it again. It is for those that want to improve the already great system but fail to get that lest piece of musicality, detail and transparency. Based on my experience , it was worth every penny and I am definitlly not thinking about selling knowing what I would have to spend to get that kind of performance. If you will ever see any gear in the adds with Bob's mods , let me know......... but I doubt that you will see those anytime soon. On the other hand you see plenty with mods done elsewhere.

Call each one from the list, talk to them and let your hart decide.

Mariusz

Give Paul Weitzel at TRL a call. He may be able to help. Has modified and built several things for me.

Modding reduces the resale value in almost every case. There are also warranty ramnifications.

Macrojack is right. Modding does not necessarily improve the sound. That's a subjective appraisal.

I'd simply seek components that are system compatible and suit your listening preferences. You have a boatload to choose from.

However, it's your money.

Kyle at RAM offers great solutions for SS electronics, including custom rectifiers & compact, high-performance Audiocom discrete DC regulators. Power circuit mods such as these can make a big difference, if you want to get beyond simple piece-part substitutions.

Thanks for your replies so far.
Also, to thoose who sent private emails, thanks as well.
I would rather just have my trusty old preamp modded than buy another one. The choice of which modder to choose, based on your emails is indeed a tough one!
Ok,
if you had to choose one of the following modders to modify a solid-state preamp for the very best sonics, which oif the following 4 would you choose:
1. RHB Sound Dezigns [Bob Backert]
2. Audio Horizons [Joseph Chow]
3. Reference Audio Mods [Kyle Takenaga]
4. The Upgrade Company [David Schulte]
Thanks again for your help and recommendations!

Macrojack in all due respect.......It wasn't exactly what Angela was asking.....was it.

You don't see me pushing anyone straight to the most recent adds on AgoN unless someone ask me privately.....do you???

Another thing. Modifications goal is not to overhaul , dramatically change or alter the piece of gear in question in the matter that would change its character or signature qualities and sound. Every idiot can do that. The art of moding is to improve on already good design and squeez the last bit of performance and/or lightly season to taste. IMHO

If Angela is interested in older or vintage designs she must have a good reason to do so.
If someone is interested in SS preamp, amp or whatever....I don't try to force on her/him my own preferances - which are tubes but away. Since Angela is not as seasoned as some here on this forum ( including myself ) it would make sense to give her the freedom to learn, ask questions and let her decide what is best for her.

Angela, if you are tring to put together nice rig without breaking the bank there are few excellent choices out there which can be had or be build to your specification and taste for well under 1K. Shot me an email - I will be more then happy to talk to you about those option.

Best regards
Mariusz

If it sounded the way she likes, would she be looking to modify it? Maybe, I don't know her, but I suspect the reason behind the question has "dissatisfaction" in it somewhere.

Mod is short for modify. Modify means change. Change means make different. It does not necessarily mean make better.

Often when one looks into this course of action it is in the hope of finding a miracle or a bargain. Generally speaking, you will do far better by applying the "mod" funds to a real upgrade. Unless you have a quantifiable and well-known mod done, you will never retrieve the investment upon resale.
Sad fact.

If, on the other hand, you make a smart purchase on Audiogon, you're chances of reselling the next preamp at no loss are very good indeed.

Pick your poison. You weren't asking for this kind of advice but I hope you think about it anyway.

No need to sell if it sounds the way you like it Angela.

One thing that I would strongly suggest, is to match your preamp to your speakers/amp of choice as well as your personal taste and preferances. It would make perfect sense to call the moder of your choice and ask him for suggestions that best fit your needs. What you get for your money is not only the upgrade but his knowlodge. There is a lot of guys that do mods for living, however not all know what they are doing. Those that do,can be found here and you can read about their work based on those that had some work done on their unites.
Check out Bob Backert thread. Highly recommended.

Better to sell what you have and buy what you want. At $2400, the Rowland Capri is very hard to beat.
State a price and ask for recommendations. There are a lot of great used products for sale on here every day.
Two names I would look at, depending on budget are Klyne and Marsh.
You never get your money back when you sell modded stuff.