D200 Mod 2.0.1

[yabaVR]

I know it's hard to not think of meassuring   .

What I want to say is that a Pin Connection and a Direct Wired Connection might meassure nearly the same but only on the meassuring you are used to. You can only meassure values you know of...but I can imagine that 'science' does not have the whole picture yet. I don't have either. But I've got some very good ears...and I trust them 

If your mod is easily audible, id say there's zero chance that the difference can't be measured, and to some precision. No doubt using the same kit Devialet design and test these boards with (else they wouldn't exist or improve since Devialet say they measure only). With the right kit we can measure the weakest analogue signals at a sub atomic level, so I don't think audio bands are untapped scientifically.

Ok so the kit isn't cheap or readily available, and you'd also need a lab, and knowledge and experience - to both take the measurements and interpret the results - but if there's a difference I'm sure some numbers could be put on it.

If it were a huge improvement, I'd actually be tempted, but the ex-scientist in me sort of wants to know what's changed too.

More disappointing is Devialet. If soldering a few wires made it sound a lot better, it seems pretty lazy not to do it on kit that costs as much as it does. Well, at least not doing it because it makes assembly easier is just silly. This isn't mass market electronics.

I'd be worried about warranty. Maybe we could petition Devialet to do a second upgrade scheme, where for £50 they'll take our amps back, solder these connections, and send them back to us under warranty?! Bung in the streamer board at the same time. If we had concrete measurements we might have a chance to persuade them!

GUI, I think you mentioned you might have a modded one in the UK to listen to at some point? Maybe you'll mod a Pro too?

About Devialet
I really think it's all about money for them. And don't think they will change the initial design with pin connections as you can see with the new IEC build into the PROs. It's made to plug onto the motherboard with some kind of spring metal (steel?). It's sad but the circuit design with all the patents they hold is that good that the 'end result' stays good enough to be competitive despite the flaws they incorporated with some other parts in the design. In the end it seem to be a live style product to them.

Ok. Warranty.
That's what all are concerned about. Let's say you have your D about half a year and nothings wrong with it. It would be very unfamiliar that a fault would occur after this period. Sure it can be, but very rarely. Even then it depends on the fact what Devialet would charge you for a repair if it's worth to risk your warranty.

Question is, is the benefit of a mod worth a few hundred bucks of a repair if it ever occurs? That's a very personal question to be solved by oneself's.
For me it's worth. Imagine you get to the performance of the next best D model...and beyond. Because even a 1000Pro is limited to this riserboard and these cheaply binding posts.

Modifying gets you special improvements in sound even a 1000Pro can't have.
I expect a 1000Pro still outperforming a modded D220 but in certain areas of sound performance it has to be second because it can not overcome the flaws in design it has compared to the modded D...see, there is no bypass. The music signal is 'contaminated' when forced to run this 'way'. It's my experience that certain parts (you modify) give (and take away) a special 'signature' to the sound. The sound would get more pure but on the other side every cable/connector or else has it's own 'signature' to the sound and you have to like it (thinkin' of Silver, Rhodium, Gold etc.)

Doing this mods will take AWAY a lot of unwanted 'signature' induced to the sound. The sound of my D200 is now by far cleaner/purer/a lot faster/much more 3D/more emotional/more musical. The experience while listening is much more intense. Be aware if you do this mods you will hear more flaws of recordings, more flaws of your audio chain, more of all the 'negative' experiences some new PRO owner hear because the new PRO is more open and sensitive to external influences and processed faults up and down your audio chain. But if you trimmed your system to be as pure as it can be and you like that sound... that's the way to go.

gui