The modded 8003 had more of everything. Highs were smoother and less "digital". Cymbal decay was superior.Instrument separation and detail were breathtaking. What used to be a splashy mess of brush overdrums on Diana Krall's "Cry Me A River" now actually sounded like brush over drums. Bass, oh thebass! Punchy and deep with lot of oomph. Less boomy and bloated than the "stock" 8003.
Although it wasn't as warm as it previously was, I love it, it seems like taking off a veil from the music and I don't feel any fatigue during the session. Similarly, the bass had improved tremendously, it became tighter and quicker. My John Mayer unplugged- Slow Dancing in a Burning
Room & Eric Clapton unplugged - Tears in Heaven & Layla never sound so good to me before, first
time I felt the difference of Redbook and SACD can be quite similar, like WOAH!
The overall musicality of the player has also improved. From a boring player, it now becomes a player that has the ability to draw you into music and forget about the hardware.