"The Upgrade Company" for McIntosh

[ismelllikepoop]

Originally Posted by Mike Gillespie

The Upgrade Company does something beneficial in applying substances -- be it blue tape or whatever -- that probably reduce EMI/RM noise which often makes the noise floor lower, yielding more detail, bigger soundstage, etc. But as mentioned above, they charge too much, you void the warranty, and you can DIY -- reversibly -- with SOtM or 3M EMI absorbing paper. I tried to get some but I found you had to buy an awful lot of the stuff to meet the order minimum. Still, it's way less than what the Upgrade Company charges.

The issue I have with that is if it were that simple to make a significant audible difference, then why wouldn't the companies do that in the first place?

[Maks]

OK this is the last post I'll make, but this is almost as funny as the golf ball turn table. From their website:

1. What does Upgrade Co's "Signature Edition" upgrade provide?

- 100% Guaranteed ultra high performance in writing. Performance that meets or exceeds magazine top rated models
- "Signature Edition" certificate of authenticity & SE foil sticker. Date the upgrade was performed, brand & model, serial number, warranty and more...

So the top 2 features provided are guaranteed "ultra high performance" IN WRITING and a certificate of authenticity and a foil sticker. Clearly I've been too harsh in my judgment, as those two things provide a huge improvement in sound.

2. What get's upgraded?

1 - Electronic parts

2- Wiring

I'm sold!

[MyPal]

Originally Posted by ismelllikepoop

The issue I have with that is if it were that simple to make a significant audible difference, then why wouldn't the companies do that in the first place?

EM/RF measurement has often not been given the attention it deserves & is still an evolving science. As electronic density has increased in recent years, it is getting more consideration. Designing, implementing cutting edge shielding materials & testing adds to the production costs.

[kevzep]

Given the signal to noise of the McIntosh gear I own, I cant see how this would make any significant improvement..
McIntosh seem to have a strong focus on noise floor/signal to noise ratio, so what if anything significant can these shysters do apart from void your warranty and leave adhesive residue all over the insides of your unit....
That CDP in the picture earlier in the thread is evidence enough for me that it is complete snake oil relying on the placebo effect...

[MyPal]

Originally Posted by kevzep

Given the signal to noise of the McIntosh gear I own, I cant see how this would make any significant improvement..
McIntosh seem to have a strong focus on noise floor/signal to noise ratio, so what if anything significant can these shysters do apart from void your warranty and leave adhesive residue all over the insides of your unit....
That CDP in the picture earlier in the thread is evidence enough for me that it is complete snake oil relying on the placebo effect...

I agree, McIntosh have excellent component design layouts. I have however, achieved further improvement by covering the DAC IC with adhesive EM absorption sheeting.

Personally, I think that all DAC ICs should be shielded in whatever box they are in, regardless of brand.

[jdandy]

Steve.......Shielding can also come in the form of compartmental isolation. A well designed chassis that shields digital circuits and power supply circuits from the analog signal paths is a valid approach to the same end.

I tend to believe the old axiom, if it's not broke don't try to fix it.

[W9TR]

This is kind of like buying high end cables. Arrange to hear them in your system, then decide. If you can really return a unit and they honor their 100% satisfaction warranty, there is little risk, right?
Tom

[daffodil53]

They use more black tape than the entire Boston Bruins hockey team.

[chessman]

daffodil53, welcome aboard and thanks for the support!

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by daffodil53

They use more black tape than the entire Boston Bruins hockey team.

Welcome!