What I don't believe in are magic power cords, boutique capacitors, expensive connectors and anything else that's usually placed upon a pedestal by those who couldn't design their way out of a wet paper bag. As a matter of fact, the majority of "audiophile" parts are not that great, and can be surpassed by parts made by the big boys for real industry with respect to both performance and price. I know this because I use them all the time. You just have to know where to look. Obtaining good parts used to be a problem and is thus why specialty companies sprouted, unfortunately peddling nothing more than snake oil in a lot of cases. It's not so much that way anymore as industry has finally gotten to where it needs to be, plus really good stuff has had time to hit the surplus market throughout the years. Yes, a lot of major electronics manufacturers have been putting out good parts for a long, long time. They just weren't affordable and only accessable by very large orders, putting them out of reach of most individuals and smallish startups. This is one major reason why your vintage amp needs updating. It's a most wonderful time to be hotrodding the better gear.

It's no secret the audiophile industry has perpetuated myths and legend and has used hype to do it. Many of the products do indeed alter the sound, but it's not necessarily for the better. Much of the time it's just a matter of shifting a pile of crud from one place to another. CD players are a prime example of this. It's been used because of a lack of any real talent and knowledge, plus there's money to be made on suckers born every minute. If someone cannot tell you why their product is better outside of just blowing smoke, then you need to be aware. You just have to ask yourself if you're into Hi-Fi because you're seeking better sound, or if the name on the faceplate and what's currently bouncing around on the web is the most important. Only you can answer that. If it's truly better sound you seek, then there's a good chance we're on the same page. There's not one name on a faceplate in this whole world that I find too intimidating to deal with, although there are some I definitely respect more than others.

Unfortunately, the sum total of the average consumer's education consists of the industry's propaganda, and it's also unfortunate that people who may/may not know better are allowed free speech in web postings to purpetuate misinformation and even downright lies. In any other field, this would be called false advertising and law suits would be flying. That's why throughout the years and especially now I have relied on my own judgement, experience, and freedom of thought. I wouldn't change a thing. Great audio is not that easy, else everyone would be doing it. If you need your amp upgraded, who would you rather give it to? Someone who has never had an electronics class in their life who just happens to dabble in audio because it's a hoot, or someone who has the background, who's spent most their life in pursuit and has at least seen the inside of a real lab, and is a little closer to fitting the task? I know which one I'd take a chance with. If you want to purchase that $500 cable or do that mod everyone is raving about and expect sonic nirvana, then go right ahead, ...and see what it gets you. Never mind the junk parts in your amp that are just screwing up the sound, and the lack of design features that some 4-eyed bean counter forced on the design group. All sorts of nonsense finds it's way into lots of gear. You won't find any of that with my work, and every part and modification has a plausible reason that can be explained in full. I just simply understand what I'm doing and know what will work and what to keep away from. It's the very reason I work for myself instead of some company that doesn't get it. You won't get any nonsense with my work, only a much improved piece of gear, and I can prove it if you'll let me.