Three versions of Oppo players compared

[DonH50]

I don't see how hiding measurements would hide intellectual property unless they would somehow give insight into the circuits. I suppose it's possible, but not obvious after my extensive two seconds of thought.

[tomelex]

Typically these modders change some caps, add some bypass caps, bypass zener diodes with caps and add power supply regulators. These changes rarely affect typical "consumer" measurements such as THD and to some extent frequency response.

My take is that they do not publish measurements because they do not have any better measurement gear than a sound card spectrum analyzer/THD unit.

Also, I suspect that their mods more often affect frequency response than anything else tangible. Changing out some output integrated circuits with a different type can affect the soundstage (more forward or laid back) without changing (much) THD, which as we all know is somewhat worthless measurement for really knowing what the amp is doing to the signal.

I do not think putting a sticker/seal on a inexpensive unit is going to protect IP, and since these units have such fantastic specs to start with swapping a few components is not going to make the specs significantly better....

The Oppo is a remarkable assault on the high end, without any mods whatsover. A value for money product of the first order. Paradigm shifter.

Tom

[naturephoto1]

Rich is it true that the principal of TUC is not an EE and has had no formal training in this field. If so and by virtue of placing a seal on the box which voids the warranty, I must say, this leaves me somewhat suspicious.

Hi Steve,

None of the modifiers or upgraders are electrical engineers to my knowledge. There is simply no need to be. The circuits are not being altered. Both tube and solid state circuit design has barely changed in 25 years. Chris Johnson of Sonic Frontiers/Parts Connexxion is not an EE for example.

What a good modifier does is to select by critical listening from amongst the finest parts and wiring and shielding and dampening materials available, and "voice" them all to work very well together. Most of the Upgrade Companies business is from repeat customers who've heard for themselves lots of direct A-B comparisons.

Rich

[FrantzM]

Rich

Having not heard what the mods do I can't comment. I can however voice my skepticism. The modfier has to know what the circuitry does. Whether the person is formally schooled is not important IMO but the person must know and understand how the circuit works, enough to understand the eventual weaknesses of the design. Else how can he or she? Just listening to a unit and changing parts or modifying circuit layout seems to me the equivalent of playing lottery: it is possible to win but the odds are against you.
You seem satisfied and that counts ... The modifier should however be more forthcoming with information since a good amount of currency is to change hands. Reliance on such blind faith has been shown to be detrimental to one financial faith

[flez007]

A brief note to inform that after runing a blind test between my iMac/Puremusic setup vs the Oppo/SE/nuforce/PC unit, all five listeners prefered the Oppo transport feeding my Reimyo DAC over the Mac computer.

[The Smokester]

I don't see how hiding measurements would hide intellectual property unless they would somehow give insight into the circuits. I suppose it's possible, but not obvious after my extensive two seconds of thought.

Then perhaps one could hypothesize that such a seal hides a lack of intellectual property. Would this not also fit the evidence as presented on this thread to this point?