Level 2 mod...worth it ?

[beardog03]

I`m thinking of getting a level 1 mod on the Jolida CDP, and was wondering if the level 2 is worth the extra $$

Any thoughts ?

[Zero]

The real question iz; do ya plan on holding onto this unit for an extended period of time? The re-sale value on modified gear bites the big one - and I've seen the way you go through gear. :)

Hopefully someone else will be able to offer up more insight as to what the upgrades give you in terms of sonic performance.

[beardog03]

[QUOTE=Zero;748761] - and I've seen the way you go through gear. :)

QUOTE]



:D:D:D:D

That`s why I ask !!

I`m looking at a Cary 306 SCAD . or 303 / 300 CDP

Just not sure about the $$

I still have $ problems to deal with, but I`m an audio addict !!

[fredv]

Level 1 is waste of money. I have a level 1 mod and a total stock. I can't tell the difference, maybe my ear ...... IMHO, it is either all out (level 3 mod) or leave as stock. Sean is right, mods depreciate a lot quicker, if you may sell it within the next 12 months, think twice. You probably won't get half of what you pay for the mods. You may want to consider a upscale outboard DAC, just a thought.

[F1nut]

Level 1 mod

-4 sheets of SOUNDCOAT dampening material are applied to the internal chassis
-4 EAR compliant Sorbothane isolation feet are put on the bottom.
-We add 1 pr. of VAMPIRE RCA jacks (OFC Copper body, gold-plated)
-We replace the internal wiring with 2 ft of DH LABS pure silver, Teflon dielectric, output wire.
-8 Ultra-fast, soft recovery HEXFRED and FRED diodes are used in the power supply
-7 BLACK GATE Standard, N and C grade electrolytic capacitors are added around the coupling caps and power supply.
-14 AUDIO NOTE Tantalum 1/2 watt resistors are used in the signal path-8 MULTICAP PPMFX grade, metallized polypropylene capacitors are used in the signal path.
-We replace the stock tubes with a pair of Electro Harmonix 12AX7 tubes which are a dramatic upgrade from the stock Chinese tubes in the stock unit.
-TRT Wonder Solder is used throughout.
-There are Approximately 4 hours Labor involved in the mod.




The following is a description of the Level-2 mod:
-7 BLACK GATE Standard, N and C grade electrolytic capacitors – around the coupling caps and power supply
-4 BLACK GATE 150uf 350V VK grade electrolytic capacitors – used for the high voltage power supply reservoir*
-AUDIO NOTE Tantalum 1/2 watt resistors - signal path
-4 MULTICAP PPMFX grade, metallized polypropylene capacitors – used in the signal path
-4 MULTICAP PPFXS grade, polypropylene film and tin foil coupling capacitors*
-4 REL-CAP TFT grade, 0.01uf Teflon film and tin foil, bypass capacitors for the main coupling caps*
-4 sheets of SOUNDCOAT dampening material (applied to internal chassis)
-4 EAR compliant Sorbothane isolation feet
-1 pr. VAMPIRE RCA jacks (OFC Copper body, gold-plated)
-2 ft. DH LABS pure silver, Teflon dielectric, output wire
-8 Ultra-fast, soft recovery HEXFRED and FRED diodes - power supply
-One pair of EH Gold Pin tubes*
-TRT Wonder Solder is used throughout
-Approximate 6 hours of Installation Labor*
Note: The items with an asterik (*) are upgrades over the Level-1 mod.


I'm not so sure the Level 2 mod is worth another $550.00. Also note that they say they use 4 BLACK GATE 150uf 350V VK grade caps, but in reality there are only 3.

[beardog03]

THat`s what I read into it...not much difference in the level 2 mod..

Fred, where do you get the level 3 mod at?

What do you think of the Cary cdp that I mentioned ?

[F1nut]

I don't see the Level 3 mod any longer. Basically, it added a new clock and clock power supply, which they still show. It costs $480.00 more for that.

I have little doubt that the 306 SACD player is far better. Of course, it costs over double that of a fully modded Jolida.

[fredv]

For some reasons, my memory told me there was a level 3, I couldn't remember it was real or not, I couldn't find it any more , sorry. I think the imagine L3 had the master clock replaced.
I didn't audition the Cary cdp, so I don't have first hand comment. From what I have read, it has typical Cary sonic signature (i.e. SQ most people expect from Cary) but QC seemed to be not. But then it is a very small sample, I wouldn't put much weight on it.

[fredv]

It is really funny, Each time I posted my reply, I saw a new reply from Jesse :-) How are you doing, my friend!!

[F1nut]

I'm great Fred. I trust that you are too. Give my best to your lovely family.

Any new pieces in the house?

[marvda1]

i second fredv on the outboard dac.

[beardog03]

even on the Jolida ?

[marvda1]

if you mean outboard dac on the jolida, yes.

[beardog03]

really ?

I thought that being a tube CDP, it would defeat the purpose..

I have wanted to try a DAC , especialy aftr reading about them here on the forum

I was looking at a MF DAC....kinda spendy, but I understand that MF is top notch


Musical fidelity A3.24 dac


any thoughts ?

[marvda1]

you can always get a tube dac. i have the ack dack 1.2e which is a battery powered dac. i own the onix xcd-88 cd player which i could have thrown extra money at with upgrades but then if you are going to spend all that extra cash on upgrades why not start out with more expensive/better cd player. the ack has made a hugh difference in sound quality..

[beardog03]

I`m selling the The AH!, and that will mos likely be the funds to get a DAC, as my $ problems will have to work themselves out..

Hi, my name is Robert...and I`m an audio addict......

[nms]

Hi, my name is Robert...and I`m an audio addict......

HI ROBERT. :D

[pearsall001]

Mods are really a double edged sword. Sometimes they're worth it & sometimes not. You really don't know till you send the piece out to get the work done & hopefully you hear a difference in the sound. Also if you're the type who doesn't hold on to gear for any length of time, selling a modded piece is a hugh money lose. Mods just don't hold any value.

[fredv]

I'm great Fred. I trust that you are too. Give my best to your lovely family.

Any new pieces in the house?

Hi Jesse,

We're doing well. It will continue to be the case if I still have a job after the coming Friday :( Regarding to new pieces, nothing from commercial if you don't count new tubes :-) I built a mini version of Allen Wright's FVP preamp. It is still work in progress and has replaced the Transcendant Sound Ground Grid in my main rack!!

[DarqueKnight]

Hi, my name is Robert...and I`m an audio addict......

You talk like that's a bad thing.:) I can think of lots of worse things to be addicted too, many of which leave you with nothing, or nothing useful, to show for your time and money.

[markmarc]

I was lucky enough to hear an Onix CD-5 stock and the level 1 mod. I was quite impressed by the improvement. My Jolida cdp is a mod and I think it's a killer unit (not done by Underwood). The key is how long you're going to hang on to the unit. Long term, go for a level 1. Short term, just get an outboard DAC.

[beardog03]

I lik ethe unit, I just want to get all the potential out of it..

If it is what it is said to be after the mods, I would keep it for many moons.....if not I would sell and move to the next up the ladder

[W WALDECKER]

I have the HRAM stage 3+ JD100A and it is a Keeper :)