TRL Marantz Sa-14

I am looking to do something immediately with a CD Player. I
Any help about the comparison of the other mods out there would be appreciated. It is hard to buy these sight unseen. Does anyone have the TRL Marantz SA-14 in Chicago?

Also, does anyone have this player used that would like to sell? Bob

Has anybody compared the TRL SA-14 to the 3910 Mods by APL, Exemplar or Modwright. I just stumbled upon this thread and I am looking to upgrade a Rotel 1072 very soon. Any help would be appreciated. Bob

I listened to the TRL SA-14 and came away very impressed. I compared the unit to my rotel 1072. Witout hearing the TRL the Rotel sounds very good. After hearing the modified SA-14, the Rotel is a very good bargain however it is not in the Sa-14's class. I heard much more music fleshed out with the TRL and all the other audiophile things we all look for. The system I heard was Audioezra's which is in transition. I must say that Ezra is a wonderful guy and I enjoyed every minute spent with him. I never had spent time with the Marantz Sa-14. I must tell you that the machine is incredible looking enough to warrant the purchase. The silky operation of the CD tray was just amazing. I am thinking very strongly of getting the Sa-14 and having it modified by TRL. I liked it that much. Bob

Thank you. I have a question whether all the Version 2 marantz sa-14's had the champagne face plates with God accents? I have never seen one of the black version one sa-14's. How do they look in comparison? Bob

Thanks for the links. While the black is certainly nice, I agree with Pardales that the champagne is amazing looking. Bob

Well I tracked down a Marantz Sa-14 version one in black. I am buying it from a dealer who personally has owned it since new with only 50 hours on it. Even though I would have paid more for the champagne version, this seems to good to pass up at $1200. Even better I can take a short drive and pick it up today. I do know of another version one in Chicago if anyone is looking

Is everyone still thrilled with this player? I am about to put down the scratch on the SA-14 today. Just a little encouragement to push me off the ledge would be appreciated. Bob

I bought the SA-14 yesterday and even stock it trounced the Rotel 1072. There was just so much more music there. I plan to use the stock unit over the weekend and then send it in to TRL early next week. Thanks for the support guys! Bob

I am sending off my SA-14 today to TRL. Even in its stock form the SA-14 blew away my Rotel 1072. It was hard to let go of even stock. I can't wait to hear it with TRL's mods. Did I read it right that it needs 500 hours break-in for both CD and SACD? Bob

LKdog,thanks for that explanation. Bob

TRL should receive my unit today. That should mean that I will have the modified player back by late next week. I can't wait to hear the differences after spending 2 weeks with the stock SA-14. Bob

TRL sent out my SA-14 last thursday via USPS. Hopefully, it will finally arrive today. I can't wait to hear it. I realize it will take 500 hours break-in to be at its best. My digital amps needed at least 300 hours to be listenable so I am familiar with the drill. Bob

My SA-14 arrived in my system yesterday. Let the break-in begin! My comment is that the SA-14 was boxed very professionally by TRL. I almost hated to unpack the player because the craftmanship in packing was so well done. I know that sounds crazy but I was amazed. I got over it and put the player in the system. I'm leaving it on 24/7 so I should be good to go in about 3 weeks. I will check on it at about the half way point in about 10 days and report my thoughts. Bob

I did listen and it was very much like I expected. It sounded like it needed to be broken in! There was a fuzzy quality to the sound that will probably go away in a couple of days. After experiencing the break-in of two digital amps, I know that in two weeks the unit will sound nothing like it did directly out of the box. I must say that the TRL test disk was very impressive. The bass on track two rearranged some of my vital organs! Bob

They sent me a test disk with three other disks when they sent the Marantz back to me. It starts with two songs in French. It is the second song that I was referring to. There is also some jazz and blues on it. Bob