TRL Marantz Sa-14

I too have entertained purchasing the Marantz SA-11S1 and possibly modding it later down the road by TRL. But the TRL posts I've read so far leaves me wondering if the mods are really a significant improvement.

First it all started with the TRL Sony 595 (or the 777es?), then the 2000es, now the Marantz. With each successive modification, I keep on hearing it's almost like the $30k TRL unit. Leave me wondering if all of these units sound essentially the same after the mod - all almost like the $30k unit, a unit no one but Paul, the designer, has heard as far as I could tell. No one on Audiogon knows how the $30k TRL truly sounds as I have yet to hear from a real owner. So what are we really comparing these mods too? Could you really trust the words of the modder who has a vested interest in selling you his mods and tells you his latest mod is the closest to his ultra digital unit? I'm not trying to slam the TRL mods or Paul in any way, as I have not heard a TRL mod. TRL mods may live up to its hype. I just hate hearing the endless talk about the latest mod sounding like a $30k unit that no one seems to have heard. There is no end to it. Who will it be next, the Denons, Esoterics, etc.?

I, for one, will buy my next digital source from a retailer or manufacturer who will allow a home demo and just enjoy my purchase and not worry if my unit sounds like a $30k or $3,000,000 unit I have never heard or will ever own. Then after a week like a true audioholic, I will call Paul, Dan Wright, etc and ask them for their ultmate mod :) Ain't the life of an audiophile a bitch!

Uva_hifi, do you know how the SA-14 compares to the SA-11S1? Seems like people either love the SA-11S1 or hate it. According to a review on Positive Feedback, the SA-14 really didn't sound significantly different than the Marantz 8620 SACD player, which goes around $800 these days. The reviewer went on to say that the Marantz engineers acknowledged this, and the new model(SA-11S1)is supposed to rectify the shortcommings of the SA-14.

I heard that Paul is pretty hush about what exactly goes into his mods. That really doesn't bother me. But has anyone seen the QUALITY of work that goes into his mods? I've seen the quality of work by some well established modders that looks like a tornado blew through the unit with wires going all over the place and makeshift tack on boards made of wood! If I had a quality built unit like the SA-11, I wouldn't want that kind of work in my player even if the mod improved the sound. I'm not in any way implying Paul does bad work as I have never seen his work. I'm still interested in getting the TRL mod. I'm just asking those who got his mod what the quality is like inside.

Why the secracy regarding your new preamp? Could you fill us in on this? Thanks.

TOC access and access between songs.

Jes45(Jack),

Who did you order your SA-11 from? I ordered mine through American Theater Systems. They're supposed to get the new shipment in tomorrow or Monday. I should have it by early to mid next week. Can't wait. I'm going to let mine break in at least 500 hours before I even think about modding it. Who knows? I may like it so much I'll never consider modding it.

Would anyone be willing to post internal pictures of the TRL mod SA-11? I think we would all be interested in seeing the inside. Thanks.