A reciprocating compressor with enhanced performance, the compressor comprising: a first cylinder forming a first space for compressing a fluid; a first crank shaft housing operatively coupled with the first cylinder; a first crank shaft housed within the first crank shaft housing; a motor housing operatively coupled with the first crank shaft housing; a motor housed within the motor housing, the motor being configured to drive the first crank shaft; and a first rod assembly configured to reciprocate within the first cylinder so as to compress the fluid within the first space, the first rod assembly being driven by the first crank shaft; wherein the first rod assembly comprises: a first connecting rod portion configured to couple the first rod assembly to the first crank shaft, a first head portion operatively coupled to the first connecting rod, a first cup seal configured to provide a movable seal between the first cylinder and the first rod assembly, a first cap configured to hold the cup seal in place on the first head portion,; and one or more valves configured to control air across the head portion, the one or more valves being removably coupled to first head portion, the one or more valves constructed and arranged to remain coupled to the first head portion when the first cap is detached from the first connecting rod assembly characterized in that the first cap comprises one or more orifices configured to receive corresponding coupling devices that removably couple the first cap to the first head portion, the first head portion comprises a first surface, the first surface comprising a first elevated or indented portion on the first surface such that the first elevated or indented portion is configured to receive one or more valves, and the first cap engages the first head portion such that the first elevated or indented portion of the first surface of the first head portion is surrounded by the first cap. a first cylinder forming a first space for compressing a fluid; a first crank shaft housing operatively coupled with the first cylinder; a first crank shaft housed within the first crank shaft housing; a motor housing operatively coupled with the first crank shaft housing; a motor housed within the motor housing, the motor being configured to drive the first crank shaft; and a first rod assembly configured to reciprocate within the first cylinder so as to compress the fluid within the first space, the first rod assembly being driven by the first crank shaft; wherein the first rod assembly comprises: a first connecting rod portion configured to couple the first rod assembly to the first crank shaft, a first head portion operatively coupled to the first connecting rod, a first cup seal configured to provide a movable seal between the first cylinder and the first rod assembly, a first cap configured to hold the cup seal in place on the first head portion,; and one or more valves configured to control air across the head portion, the one or more valves being removably coupled to first head portion, the one or more valves constructed and arranged to remain coupled to the first head portion when the first cap is detached from the first connecting rod assembly a first connecting rod portion configured to couple the first rod assembly to the first crank shaft, a first head portion operatively coupled to the first connecting rod, a first cup seal configured to provide a movable seal between the first cylinder and the first rod assembly, a first cap configured to hold the cup seal in place on the first head portion,; and one or more valves configured to control air across the head portion, the one or more valves being removably coupled to first head portion, the one or more valves constructed and arranged to remain coupled to the first head portion when the first cap is detached from the first connecting rod assembly characterized in that the first cap comprises one or more orifices configured to receive corresponding coupling devices that removably couple the first cap to the first head portion, the first head portion comprises a first surface, the first surface comprising a first elevated or indented portion on the first surface such that the first elevated or indented portion is configured to receive one or more valves, and the first cap engages the first head portion such that the first elevated or indented portion of the first surface of the first head portion is surrounded by the first cap.