[Edwood]

I wouldn't waste so much money on those Bybee thingies.

I didn't see anything about upgrading the regulators, let alone any of the SMD caps.

-Ed

 

[Jon L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edwood I wouldn't waste so much money on those Bybee thingies. I didn't see anything about upgrading the regulators, let alone any of the SMD caps. -Ed

That's just the Reflection Audio mods. Steve does some very extensive mods, including replacing all voltage regulators, etc.

I wish there were some nice speaker system at the SoCal meet b/c IME these modded equipments' difference really comes through via speakers, especially soundstaging. Looks like there'll be a stock DAC1, and it would be interesting to compare the two.

 

[Beauregard]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon L ... Looks like there'll be a stock DAC1, and it would be interesting to compare the two.

I wonder if you folks would consider setting up the DAC1s for a blind evaluation at the show.

Should be simple to implement - the only requirement for a truly blind test is that nobody participating in the meet have any contact with someone who knows which unit is which. I'd suggest the two owners note the serial numbers of their units and, with no one else present, set them together out of view. Then a third party could retrieve them and set them up in the listening area.

It would be a little more complicated if the modder has badged his unit or there are identifying scratches, mangled screws, etc. Then I'd recommend asking someone who's not an attending Head-Fi'er and won't be around for the meet to cover the appropriate areas on both units with electrical tape - after the owners have dropped them off and before the setter-upper retrieves them.

I doubt my old research methods prof would've approved this design but, if it's carried out in good faith by the participants, the reported comparisons would would carry a lot more weight than the usual sighted evaluations - at least to us skeptical/objectivist types. Heck, I might even be convinced to mod my DAC1 based on the results.

At any rate... I think it would be a darned interesting experiment and hope you guys will at least consider it.

Thanks,
Beau

 

[Edwood]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon L That's just the Reflection Audio mods. Steve does some very extensive mods, including replacing all voltage regulators, etc. I wish there were some nice speaker system at the SoCal meet b/c IME these modded equipments' difference really comes through via speakers, especially soundstaging. Looks like there'll be a stock DAC1, and it would be interesting to compare the two.

Since the Benchmark DAC1's have built in headphone amps, it will be very very easy to do a direct A/B comparison. I will be bringing my headphone amp switchbox, as will Ray Samuels.

-Ed

 

[brianknewbie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beauregard I wonder if you folks would consider setting up the DAC1s for a blind evaluation at the show. Should be simple to implement - the only requirement for a truly blind test is that nobody participating in the meet have any contact with someone who knows which unit is which. I'd suggest the two owners note the serial numbers of their units and, with no one else present, set them together out of view. Then a third party could retrieve them and set them up in the listening area. It would be a little more complicated if the modder has badged his unit or there are identifying scratches, mangled screws, etc. Then I'd recommend asking someone who's not an attending Head-Fi'er and won't be around for the meet to cover the appropriate areas on both units with electrical tape - after the owners have dropped them off and before the setter-upper retrieves them. I doubt my old research methods prof would've approved this design but, if it's carried out in good faith by the participants, the reported comparisons would would carry a lot more weight than the usual sighted evaluations - at least to us skeptical/objectivist types. Heck, I might even be convinced to mod my DAC1 based on the results. At any rate... I think it would be a darned interesting experiment and hope you guys will at least consider it. Thanks, Beau

Yeah I have no problem doing this with the TurboModded one I'll be bringing.

 

[Beauregard]

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianknewbie Yeah I have no problem doing this with the TurboModded one I'll be bringing.

Great!! I appreciate the extra trouble it will involve - and very much look forward to reading the meet impressions.

Thanks much,
Beau

 

[fogia.4]

same here, looking forward to it

 

[woodcans]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fogia.4 same here, looking forward to it

likewise. can't wait to hear some impressions. mine will be forthcoming as soon as i get mine!

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

It will be very interesting to hear Ed's take on this, both the execution of the mods and the sound. Time to see whether Empirical is the real deal or a bunch of expensive BS. I would be suprised if the change is dramatic, but I guess you never know.

 

[lan]

I predict the change of any of the modded units to be dramatic.

Be warned though, you might possibly not be able to back to stock DAC1.

 

[recca]

Steve at Empirical is the real deal. I'm betting on dramatic improvements as well. Also I think everyone will be floored by the Off Ramp Turbo.

 

[Edwood]

We shall see.

I will bring my good tools for the opening up gear for some nice pr*n.

-Ed

 

[fogia.4]

You dont need anything but a screwdriver. If Audio Asylum's review of this mod is honest, then this modded unit should sound ALOT better if it compares to 6000-10000USD sources. We'll see

 

[mjg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fogia.4 You dont need anything but a screwdriver. If Audio Asylum's review of this mod is honest, then this modded unit should sound ALOT better if it compares to 6000-10000USD sources. We'll see

10k sources huh?


hmmm... I smell bs?

: ]

 

[fogia.4]

Yea, I think its also a little exaggerated... But if it comes close i'll be happy.