The Modwright and the Vacuum State modified players have received many great reviews from the professional reviewers and numerous great reviews from the audiophile community.
Dan Wright of Modwright:
http://www.modwright.com/
Allen Wright of Vacuum State:
http://www.vacuumstate.com/
One thing about Modwright and Vacuum State is they do not just replace some parts with upgraded parts, they put in completely redesigned audio circuits of their own design. Modwright uses Tubes in their stages, Vacuum State uses Solid State. Both have top notch customer support and are very responsive to questions about their products.
Modwright has their own forum over at Audio Circles and Vacuum State (Allen Wright) visits the Audio Asylum Hi-Rez Forum.
I am going to post some links to the reviews and cut and paste a bit of the review here. Go to the links to read the entire reviews.
Here is a review on the new Sony 9100ES (999ES new model) and some comments from the review:
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Iss...wright9100.htm
"After a few days of running in, I can clearly and unequivocally report that the ModWright Sony 9100ES, plus new tube power supply, has reached an exalted level in ultra high value and performance compared to anything I've heard under $15,000! for CD/SACD reproduction, and just a tad short sonically of the resolution and dynamic slam of the Metronome for $22k"
Here is a review on the Vacuum State Level 5 modded player (note that Allen now has his Level 5+ mods)
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue23/vsei_sony9000.htm
"I have been using two different players, each priced around $6000. One is in my two-channel music system and a universal player resides in my rather modest surround-sound home theater system. Each of these two players deservedly enjoy similarly good overall performance ratings, and with excellent and powerful bass response. The Vacuum State Electronics Level 5 upgraded Sony DVP-S9000ES player is a noticeably and significantly superior musical sounding player. That combination costs approximately one third as much as either of my top players."
And an even newer review of the Vacuum State Sony 777ES with the Level 5+ mods:
http://www.dagogo.com/SonySCD777VSEI.html
"I could go on and on. I know I haven’t talked about how beautiful the top end is or how sweet strings sound, but I need to say a word about Redbook playback. Level 5 is definitely a significant step forward in redbook playback. When you consider that with level 4 mods, I had a hard time deciding between the 777ES and the $7,000 Audia Flight CD One; but in the end, the Audia Flight was the best redbook player I had heard in my system. The level 5 mod easily betters the Audia at its own game, detail and ease. Yes, now my SCD-777 VSEI 5+ is the best Redbook player I have heard in my system, although the 5+ SACD playback steals the show.
Let me close by talking about value. I know of none like it in Audio. You can pick up a used 777ES for somewhere between $1200 and $1500. If you add $1795 for the 5+ mod, and even with shipping, you will have world class, cutting edge digital for around $3500. The other good news is if you live anywhere close to either Warren or Bill, these guys know a lot about keeping these Sony’s running. Methinks mine will run for a long, long time."
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If anyone here is considering spending $3k on up for a stock player from company "X", you should SERIOUSLY consider going the modified route with one of these companies. Many people are very happy with their products, and with the significant amounts of cash saved over more expensive players with less quality playback.
Like I have stated before, my $1200 Sony 999ES player (cost of used player purchase and mods I had done from Modwright), I have not heard anything under the $3-4k range that sounds better. And with the money I saved, it basically paid for my Plinius Amp
!!!! and I have money left over.
Dan
