Audiomod.com SACD Modification Site - Negative Comment

dorokusai

I posted this in the Unofficial Sony Forum for comments, figured it is just as interesting over here:

I recently came across the site www.audiomod.com It was listed as a site that performs the atypical modifications to the high end SACD players from Sony, among others. www.modwright.com also performs the same basic modifications. I contacted the site regarding my SCD-C555ES, 5 spinner, and asked if it was able to be modofied. I will post the original query and replies, both of which I found a little arrogant. PLease let me know what you think of the emails, and if I am just overreacting.

DORO

Hello,

I caught your ad in Audiogon, and it piqued my interest.I was wondering whether you have done any work on the newer changers, specifically the SCD-C555ES?

I think the sound from most Sony transports, are a bit clinical and dry, but I am a real ES level fan. What would be your thoughts on softening or adding some life to the 555ES?

Thanks for your time.

RESPONSE #1

The C555ES is not new. I decided several years ago not to modify this
model of player because the model that replaced it was much better.
That model being the XA-777ES.

Richard Kern
Audiomod

My first question is, has the SCD-C555ES been disco'd? It is still offered in the current lineup from Sony International. And if I recall, the C555ES was not replaced by the 777ES, it is/was the model below it, and a changer, not single tray. We all know that the 777ES is a benchmark from Sony, as well as the SCD-1.

DORO

Richard,

The SCD-C555ES is the changer version for SACD, it has not been replaced by the XA-777ES. The 777ES is one of the benchmarks for Redbook/SACD playback IMO, its a fantastic machine.

Does your answer mean that the C555ES is not able to be modified, or that you choose to not modify it?

I appreciate your timely response.

RESPONSE #2

The SCD-C555ES is discontinued, it is not longer made. The XA-777ES
which replaced it, is a much better machine. I do not modify the SCD-555ES
because it was never a good machine to begin with.
Do youself a favor, buy the new XA-9000ES which replaces the XA-777ES.

Richard Kern
Audiomod

Now while Mr. Kern is I am sure, a very knowledgeable and capable individual....why would he, as I see it, insult my personal gear? Not all of us wish to, or are able to get into the 777ES level of player. I was very unhappy with his colored answer to me, and regardless of future additions to my own rig, if its Sony ES....and I wanted it modified, guess where I am not going.

kelley

I wouldn't give him the time of day. Nice way to do prospective business. It just shows you what you could expect to deal with if you'd have any issues with your gear after it was modded from them.

polkatese

Mark,
Richard Kern is a known sob on audio asylum. His moniker is Audiocrazed. He was getting into several argumentation with several other modders, and he always come out that way. One time, he modded and f*up a Meitner/EMM Lab SACD-1000 (originally cost $10k) and ended up having to be rescued by Meitner. All in all, stay away from this guy. Typically, most modders will give you a similar answer, if they felt that the cost/benefit of modding the unit is not worthed due to characteristics of the transport/DAC/etc. then they will not want to do it. It's a matter of delivery/reasoning in my mind, especially with RK. Dan Wright, on the other hand, is a very pleasant gentleman to discuss mods. APLHifi/ Alex Peychev is the other guy, and that ended up earned my business. For ES machine, your best bet would be Modwright. Try here:

http://www.harmonicdiscord.com/forums/viewforum.php?forum=4&20

and Dan will get back to you with his honest assessment of what you can expect. Btw, I would not take it personal, it is his problems, if he doesn't want to reason with you, then it is his loss. For more of his exchanges, you can check out audio asylum hirez forum.

The reality of it, I am so glad that I did mine, since the improvement is amazing. You oughta try it

F1nut

Found this, For mods, Oade Bros. has mods for the 555es for $170. They say it gets close sonically to the 777es......

DarqueKnight

Quote from Richard Kern originally posted by dorokusai

I do not modify the SCD-555ES because it was never a good machine to begin with. Do youself a favor, buy the new XA-9000ES which replaces the XA-777ES.

Richard Kern
Audiomod

Mark,

Why was the SCD-555ES "never a good machine to begin with"?

I do not understand Kern's response. Maybe what he really meant was that he did not have the proper tools, knowledge, or experience to modify your CD player. He certainly is missing out on the rush you get when you spend a couple hundred dollars (or less) on mods and get a thousand dollar (or more) improvement in sound.

I thought one of the reasons for modifying equipment was to gain an increase in performance and avoid buying a new and more expensive piece of gear. I have performed modifications on many of my CD players and have realized significant sonic performance in every case.

It has been my experience that the lower end machines benefit the most from upgraded parts and that the higher you go up a manufacturer's product line, you experience more diminishing returns for modifications.

My Sony players have benefited from replacing the electrolytic capacitors in the analog output stage with high quality polypropylene capacitors. This addressed the clinical and dry sound you mentioned. Also, upgrading the master clock and output stage op amps have provided significant improvements in clarity and soundstaging.

I have not visited any of the mod websites, since I do my own, so I don't know what they offer.