Topic: P2 mod or moded UA-5?

[kirk97132]

While I am pretty sure of the route I want to take I thought I'd ask the TSKB.  I'm running ADK's and a HD-P2.  Ideally I would like a v3 but that is outa the question right now.  Soooo... get the Bussman mod done on the P2 or run a modded UA5...whatca thinking out there???  thanks in advance, kirk

[dennisrtyler]

keep it simple, mod the P2

[TNJazz]

Why mod?  Are you not happy with what you're getting?  Do you feel a mod would make a significant improvement?

In theory I agree with Dennis to keep it simple, but keep in mind that the market for reselling modded gear is poor.  I wouldn't mod it unless you plan to hold onto it for a long time (or are prepared to take a huge loss once you decide to "upgrade" your recording device)...

Has anyone ever done an ABX with modded vs. unmodded gear?  I wonder how drastic the difference really is.

[kirk97132]

Why mod?  Are you not happy with what you're getting?  Do you feel a mod would make a significant improvement?

In theory I agree with Dennis to keep it simple, but keep in mind that the market for reselling modded gear is poor.  I wouldn't mod it unless you plan to hold onto it for a long time (or are prepared to take a huge loss once you decide to "upgrade" your recording device)...

Has anyone ever done an ABX with modded vs. unmodded gear?  I wonder how drastic the difference really is.

All good points.  I do plan on keeping it, I love the P2.  And I AM happy with what I get now, just trying to get its mo better   But there is some appeal to me for separate units too (easier to sell and upgrade).  I do feel the mod or modded pre would make a significant improvement, thats just my feeling,  but the mod vs unmod comparison has caught my attention.  I guess that's why I tapped y'all for input.  I am pretty sure I know what I'll do but I didn't want to say and influence the feedback.  Thanks again, kd

[bdasilva]

single box fo sure... KISS   Less to power, less to go wrong.

[willndmb]

do you own the ua5 already?
if so then stick with it imo
if not mod the p2

[kirk97132]

yeah ok so y'all confirmed what I already knew.  Have Chris mod the P2 and away we go...........

[Brian Skalinder]

Why mod?  Are you not happy with what you're getting?  Do you feel a mod would make a significant improvement?

TNJazz is spot on here.  I've said it before, and I'll say it again.  First, define the sonic characteristics you like and don't like about your gear.  Next, try to identify which piece of gear and / or combation of gear accounts for the sonic characteristics you like and do not like.  Finally, seek out gear that changes the sonic characteristics you don't like while attempting to preserve the ones you do like.  It requires a fair amount of effort - recording, listening, repeat repeat repeat, listening to other recordings and gear combinations, etc. - but IMO it's the best way to change gear.  I think a lot of people get caught up in "gotta have X because it'll sound better".  Well, what does "better" mean?  And at what cost?  Each of us must decide on our own, and I think its best (well, for me anyway) to really listen and try to understand what I do or don't like and change accordingly (as others have also suggested in one form or another long before I got into the hobby).  In other words, "use your ears" and "trust your ears".

Has anyone ever done an ABX with modded vs. unmodded gear?  I wonder how drastic the difference really is.

I've done some self-noise and gain stage comparisons of a few pieces of gear, and published a couple here.  I've also done some ABXing with stock v. modded gear, sometimes in ideal test conditions, other times not.  In some cases, I found the mods stunningly better.  In others, not so much.  YMMV.