Yes, modding can be looked at as irrational. But of course that is true of the whole hobby. Here is one perspective: I felt that Sony had a weak point in the cable from the MB(Mother Board) to the headphone socket. This is from trying the same wire in an IEM cable, and comparing it to other cables, it was handicapping what the DAP was capable of. As these wires were right at the source, from the output of the MB, this meant that everything downstream could not be better than that weak link. Think back to Linn's focus on the source turntable, following this rationale. Correcting this source weakness benefits and improves anything you plug into it downstream. So if you look at the major benefits, it is not as straightforward to KNOW which option is better. Spending the money on a better IEM gives a major improvement. But no matter how good the downstream IEM, it is handicapped by the source weakness, and not performing to it's full capabilities. It's like you have a dirty window glass. Doesn't matter how powerful the binoculars you use to look through them, or how you change the object so that it is easier to see. The fog on the glass will blur everything. Now, what if you could remove this fog?
Actually, I have previously spent a majority of effort and money improving things like the IEM, and the wire. I spent more money on the IEM, and wires, than what the payback was worth. Now, a good mod, in a critical area, is actually much cheaper than trying to make up for the weakness with better and better downstream equipment.
Most mods are to correct a weakness, remove a bottleneck, etc., and is similar to putting a pair of glasses on so you can see better. It is a correction to allow the capabilities that are there to show throw. Improving a power supply, or shielding, or cable, are also mods. Actually, everything we do is a mod, with the only difference being that most people are averse to touching the inside of a DAP. And that is understood, because it is too easy to cause unintended damage. But if there is a reliable/capable modder, or the owner has the skills and the experience, and they are willing to take the risk, then the result can be rewarding. And far from being a silly thing to do, it may be the saner solution.
Of course, this is just one of the multitude of choices that we have to make. The only point I want to make is that it is not a clear "good" or "bad" choice. It is not for everybody, but I would say that it can be a good option, that makes music more enjoyable, and that the price/performance ratio can be positive. Sometimes very positive.
As with everything in this hobby, do what you are comfortable with, and which you believe in.
The Roman saying is true, "one man's meat is another man's poison". Whatever you do, enjoy it. And let the contrarians have their enjoyment also. It is the differences that make this hobby interesting, as audiophobics will never be accused of being all of one mind. Very much to the contrary!!
.
