Question for Alan. What is your opinion of this article re: a dealer modification of the hk3480 to create a "better quality" receiver. Here is explanation on the dealer's site. http://www.stereodaves.com/modifications. Here is the articlehttp://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_14_2/hk-3480-receiver-daves-5-2007-part-2.html. a)is it logical b)w/no direct comparison to the original, is it meaningful. c) if the modification did create a better unit, would a careful listener in an average listening environment hear the difference? Thanks.

Posted links don't work for me.

Anyone else?

The links didn't work for me, either.

Although I did search and find that our buddy Dave now advocates performing his magic on the HK 247. For only $300

Quote:

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The modification to this unit cleans up the bass, improves the width and depth of the soundfield (along with location), improves the overall clarity of the unit, gives the unit a more spacious, penetrating sound, and improves the transient response of the piece. This highly dynamic and detailed receiver competes and bests amplifiers and receivers that are thousands more in cost.

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http://www.stereodaves.com/modifications.php

I'm going to guess that the answers are maybe, no, and no.

Sounds like snake oil to me.

Sorry. I must be grumpy.

..and he modifies power conditioners, too!

I don't see any measurements to back up the claims.

Cam, judging from his website, "Stereo Dave" is a snakeoil merchant. The deficiencies he claims to exist in the stock units don't exist and it would be more than a little naive to believe that the mods he proposes can do something that the engineers at Harman couldn't accomplish.

JohnK,

How can you not trust an audio professional, with the moniker: "Stereo Dave"?

Well Larry, if we heard something from Dave now, I'd be inclined to trust him, because after digging deeper into the site, it appears that he's passed away. So, I'd modify my "is" in the previous reply to "was".

The site rambles on nonsensically that his thing was to "improve electron flow", and this is accomplished with "quality" capacitors. So, this is another one of the capacitor scam sites which imply that more or better capacitors can work some mysterious magic.

I don't know whether stereo dave was the real thing or not, but I have no reason to assume he was a snake oil salesman.

There are outfits which modify and improve stock components. AH! Tjoeb modifies Marantz equipment and greatly improves those source components. There are many audio reviews which confirm this, reviews from sites which led many of us to Axiom products in the first place.

Check out Upscale Audio

The Upgrade Company has a good reputation. The Upgrade Compnay

There was an outfit which speciaiized in modifying Philips SACD 1000s and turned an excellent CDP into a world class player. They won't work on the Philps anymore, but they did great work. PHILIPS SACD 1000 MODS

The idea of tweaking a component of modest cost so it performs on par with much more expensive equipment should not be alien to Axiom fans ... after all, Axiom made its reputation by providing modestly priced speakers which compare favorably to much more expensive products.

There are folks out there who love audio, work at it, spend time in their work shops improving the sound from stock components.