symetrix 528 audio upgrade, only ONE guy who does those upgrades?

[earworm]

ok,
i know i've been asking lots of questions on this unit lately,
but every $ i spend hurts,
to me it seems like if you give an "old' symetrix 528 an audio upgrade,
by jim williams it becomes alot better,
someone replied with some technical info on "they replace this and that", but i'm not so good in understanding what all that means

so in simple language, what exactly does get changed when they Upgrade it?
and how much 'better' is the unit afterwards, (impossible question?)
is it REALLY TOTALLY worth the $140, which is allmost the price of a second hand 528 these days...

and is it only jim williams that does these upgrades?
if i buy the unit today and also get me that upgrade i'll be totally broke and won't have one cent left...
sure i earn some money with recording but everything is scheduled in the end of june, since most kids aroud here have exams now...

what are your two cents?

thanks alot,
earworm

[chessrock]

Originally Posted by earworm

so in simple language, what exactly does get changed when they Upgrade it? and how much 'better' is the unit afterwards, (impossible question?) is it REALLY TOTALLY worth the $140, which is allmost the price of a second hand 528 these days...

Well, in non-technical terms, there are actually two different types of upgrades for the 528.

One of them is fairly simple, and just involves replacing some chips. You can get instructions for that and maybe even do it yourself or have a buddy who's good with electronics do it with you. You can get instructions by doing a Google Group search on rec.audio.pro . Type in keywords Monte McGuire and Symetrix or something like that.

This particular modification just takes the existing 528 and makes it a little cleaner. Major difference is that high-frequency transients may sound smoother.

and is it only jim williams that does these upgrades?

Jim Williams at Audio Upgrades does a much more complex and involving overhaul. Basically yanks the heart out of it and makes it in to a different pre altogether. Very fast and responsive; transparent, uncolored, etc.

if i buy the unit today and also get me that upgrade i'll be totally broke and won't have one cent left... what are your two cents?

Jeezus. What the hell are you even asking this question for then? Um ... yea, I would highly recommend you spend your food money on a mic pre. Nothing like starving and having creditors after you just so you can have a prettier sounding mic preamp. Sounds like a plan to me. Dumbass.