Paul has commented that Marantz has a "house" sound that manifests itself due to some similar design principles that are used across many of their players. His mods revise what he feels are the errors they have made.
I am in the process of burning in a Marantz 9500. It has the latest Crystal dacs, an updated HDAM output stage, etc. etc. but I am hearing some glare which distracts from what would otherwise be a warm and reasonably smooth midrange. Others have commented that stock Marantz players do have glare. I have a disk on repeat to quickly break in the analog and digital outputs, and the glare seems less now, but if what I am hearing is characteristic of Marantz then I am comfortable with Paul's assertion.
By the way, I am quite sensitive to glare. For example, I was not satisfied with my Cary 303 as a standalone player because of glare and some HF hardness (it did make an excellent transport though!). I should also note that I have recently moved to a new home and have yet to put up acoustic treatments in the corners of my room, which in the past I have found to be very helpful at reducing HF echo/reflections.
I had exchanged emails with Paul and found him quite modest. In terms of performance when modded, he felt that the SA11 was a bit better than the SA14, which was in turn a good step ahead of the 2000ES, which was better than the 595. Note that there is a big jump in price from the 2000ES to the SA14 so build and parts quality must be a factor here.
What I like about TRL is that their mod has a more realistic and palatable price than other modders. It is less clear what exactly TRL does but maybe extensive / wholesale parts replacement is not necessarily critical? What is encouraging is that the owner of an APL modded 3910 (mods cost $3k) found the modded 595 to sound musical and engaging, though lacking in the last bit of detail and precision. If so, then it bodes well for what a TRL modded SA14 or SA11 would be capable of, but with the investment more on the underlying player than on the mod itself. |
I'm looking to have a TRL SA14 in a few weeks. I have just closed a deal for a nice SA14 v1, which will be shipped direct to Paul/TRL. |
Hi, I won't be able to report about the "before" as my SA14 is getting shipped directly to TRL. While it won't tell you about the mod, I am going to compare the TRL SA14 with a stock 9500, which is the latest Marantz universal player with the latest Crystal dacs, an improved transport, improved HDAM output stage, blah blah. And I will compare vs my Scott Nixon Tube Dac fed by the digital out of the SA14. |
I got the impression from Paul that the Marantz universal players were a good platform for mods and that they had similar but not quite as much potential as the SA14. I am not sure if he has seen the 9500 specifically since it is relatively new but one advantage the 9500 has over all previous Marantz (including the SA14) is that it has a better/new DAC (the 4398 by Crystal; the other models used older Crystal dacs).
What kills me about the 9500 is that is best used with a monitor. It is critical for initial set up (e.g. to set the digital output on or off) but is also handy for more mundate tasks like putting a disk on repeat. Assuming that the modded 9500 sounds pretty darn close to the modded SA14, then I think the choice would boil down to whether you have an AV system or an audio-only system. When I started this journey I had a (2 channel) AV system now. Just recently, I separated them and my living room system is now audio only. Hence, the 9500 is less user friendly and an audio-only player like the SA14 makes more sense.
Do let us know if you learn more about the mod potential of the 9500.
If so then this is great news |
No idea on color - my SA14 v1 is black. |
I have about 120 hours on my Marantz 9500 (its been playing 24hrs/day since I got it) and should have an answer for you in 2 weeks when I am closer to 500 hours. I am burning in both the analog and digital outputs and will evaluate both.
At the 100 hour mark the 9500 had a noticeably smoother top end than it did when new but I still hear glare and the midrange is not as fleshed out as I would like (even with a tube dac noted for a full midrange). The speakers don't yet disappear either. It is making progress, though, and I expect to hear better at the 300/500 hour mark.
That said, to be realistic about expectations, I would not hope for the broken-in 9500 to sound world-class, though I do think it will sound smooth and enjoyable. A simple mod like a SuperClock 3 may make a significant impact. |
Are you guys using the balanced or single-ended (RCA) outputs of your TRL SA14? I have been told that the balanced outputs of the *stock* SA14 sound clearly better than the single-ended/RCA ouputs (even when you level match). I can't confirm this in my system since a) my SA14 is going to be shipped straight to TRL, and b) my Joule preamp only has single-ended/RCA inputs. |
Glad you are pleased with the TRL 2000ES even if it isn't even broken in yet! It can only get better. I've had magic in my system without necessarily spending a fortune on digital. Admittedly using a Cary 303 as a transport (for which it is truly excellent), my 2 dacs (Mensa DI/O, Scott Nixon Tube Dac, each well under $1k) excelled with different types of music and allowed me to get totally lost in the music and forget all about analyzing the sound.
I am using a Joule Electra tube pre, which is known to be musical. Frankly, based on my comparison with the Eastern Electric Minimax, I think that the Joule gives up a bit of detail in exchange for musicality.
It seems like TRL is all about musicality, as this is a common comment about all their modded players. I'm looking forward to getting my SA14 from AVGuru to TRL then on to me in the next couple of weeks so that I can hear for myself what a TRL player sounds like. |
LA45,
Did the guy in TW think the stock or TRL SA11 had a lean character?
Thanks. |
Paul told me that the SA14 v1 and v2 will sound the same after mods. So, save your $$ and get the v1. The SA11 will sound a bit better than the SA14 (both after mods).. whether or not it is worth a significant difference in the price of the stock player is a personal decision.
My SA14 v1 was shipped at the end of last week and is now on its way to Paul/TRL... can't wait! |
The empty room may also create more unwanted reflections which you would want to treat. 8th Nerve sells a "Room Pack" of acoustic treatments that is cost-effective and has gotten good reviews. Given the size of your room, you may need more pieces. I believe they can give you a free consultation. |
Paul plans to be done with my SA14 in the next couple of days.... can't wait! |
It looks like my SA14 will ship mid this week, and I should receive it by mid the following week. I'll give it 500 hours to break in but I will of course sneak in a few listens before then!
Good discussion on vibration management. I have a set of Herbie's Tenderfeet (soft, vibration absorbing) as well as a set of JJAZ FOD, which are made of a foam rather than a gel. I get the impression that the SA14 responds well to isolation as others have posted that partially inflated bicycle inner tubes work very well. I'll have to do some reading on Stillpoints and HRS Nimbus.
Paul mentioned to me that the modded SA14 also responds well to changes in power cords. Has anyone experiemented with different power cords? I currently use the Bolder Cable Nitro on my source and preamp and hope that it works out well with the TRL/SA14. |
Steve, no. Where did you get that idea? I'm not even remotely in the audio business. And, I'm not even that active in audio anymore. Prior to the SA14, the last time I got a component was about 2 years ago. |
Paul told me that the SA14 v1 and v2 sound the same after being modded. If so then you basically get the TRL mods for free if you get the v1 instead of the v2.
If the 8260 sounds as good as the SA14 when modded then it would be a great buy since it is several hundred $$$ cheaper (a new 8260 is cheaper than a used SA14 v1). I have not heard if TRL mods the 8260.
I have heard/read (someone should confirm) that the 8260 uses a Sony transport and DSP (and may have reliability problems) whereas the SA14 uses a Sharp transport (which weighs 5 lbs and is made of metal). |
I'm getting a CRL Silver Series power cord from Paul along with my modded SA14 as he says it will give a more solid low-end and better soundstaging/imaging. I figure I could do worse than follow the recommendation of the designer, in this case of both the mod and the power cord! I'll try the CRL along with my Bolder Cable Nitro and see which one suits me and my system best.
I saw an ad for a CRL Bronze Series power cord here on audiogon. The owner had a TRL modded 595 or 2000ES and it seems that Paul recommends the Bronze series for these players and the upgraded Silver Series for the SA14, which is reasonable given that better players can better take advantage of better power cords.
I have not been able to find information online about the differences among the Bronze, Silver and Gold series of power cords so I am buying based on my trust of Paul. |
My TRL SA-14 was shipped to me last week so I should get it this week. I also got a CRL Silver series power cord on Paul's recommendation.
Paul/Oldpet, does your RAM-modded Toshiba have the Superclock? Glad to hear that the TRL is doing so well in your system, particularly vs the McCormack.
Lkdog, great news re your modded A300. Down the road I may want to simplify my system and go for an integrated so I'll keep a look out for reviews on TRL modded amps. |
Lkdog,
Sounds good. Looking forward to your comments on the ST-225. A new amp would be a bit down the road for me as I need to first burn in the TRL SA14. I'd be curious about how warm and musical and engaging the ST-225 would be. Seems like you are quite happy with the modded A300. Used, these would be great buys now. I have a tube pre right now and I don't relish the thought of retubing it down the road (6 tubes, need to recalibrate, etc).
Oldpet,
Glad to hear that the TRL-Marantz SA14 comfortably beats the best RAM Toshiba. I had considered buying one of those and, sure, the SA14 turned out more expensive but I don't mind spending more in this case on better sound and build quality. If I like the voicing of the SA14 then I'd probably stick to TRL mods in the future! |
I just received my TRL SA14 yesterday. It was very well packed -- it must have taken a good 10 minutes to unpack... the sequence was something like:
- open outer box
- remove styrofoam and bubble wrap placed along the sides to insulate inner box from outer box
- lift out inner box
- remove layers of bubble wrap inner box wrapped in
- open inner box
- remove several layers of bubble wrap wrapped around SA14
- remove several more layers of bubble wrap wrapped perpendicularly to previous layers
- remove several layers of saran (plastic cling) wrap
Only then, finally, was the SA14 unpacked! Even the remote and the CRL power cable were meticulously wrapped in bubble wrap.
I did this at 1am so I didn't have time to even plug in the SA14, which I hope to do tonight though I am getting home late again. |
I was able to hook up the TRL SA14 this evening. I have not taken any special care, I just plunked it on top of my pre-amp, using rubber-cork-rubber isolation feet. The hardest part was wrestling the CRL Silver power cord into place as it is thick and quite stiff. Eventually, I won.
These players are said to take 500 hours to break in, what more with a brand new power cord containing a huge chunk of metal. So I expected the sound to be poor, perhaps irritating and unmusical. Well, I'm glad to be wrong. It sounds musical and coherent. Right off the bat it displayed flashes of brilliance. As it warmed up it opened up and displayed very good dynamics and deep, tight bass. Actually, it does very little wrong even now and it sounds simply coherent and musical. It isn't yet the best digital I've ever heard as it is sometimes a bit veiled and grainy at the top end, but it absolutely kills the Marantz 9500 and my Scott Nixon TubeDac in every way. Play one of Paul's expertly recorded CDs and wow it sounds natural. In general, the TRL SA14 seeks to get out of the way of the music and just let it flow as a coherent whole. The PRAT is very good and I find myself... for the first time in many many long months... getting immersed in the music and feeling its rhythm and emotion and intuitively feeling the interplay of the various rhythms, instruments and voices.
I'll stop for now. I am quite pleased with the TRL SA14 and am very excited that after 500 hours I can expect it to sound much better. Even the way it sounds now, the $550 is very very much money well spent. This is going to be a great month.
FYI, my system consists of: TRL Marantz SA14 -> Joule Electra LA-100 Mk3 tube pre -> Acoustic Reality eAR Two digital amp -> nOrh 9.0 marble speakers. The SA14 is fed by a balanced power supply, totally isolated from the rest of the system which is fed by another balanced power supply. Cables are from CRL, Bolder Cable, Slinkylinks and Acoustic Reality. I use Echobuster acoustic treatments on the wall behind the speakers and in the room corners by the ceiling. |
Yup, with the TRL SA14 my system is now pumping out a lot of deep, tight and tuneful bass. My system isn't built for bass-heads -- I have an ACI Force sub (little bro of the Titan) and, while my main speakers are running full range and are spec'ed to go down to 33 Hz, there is a limit to the quantity of bass that the Scanspeak Revelator 5.5" woofer can pump out. That said, it is sufficient to produce natural bass that is balanced with the rest of the frequency system. My system is audio-only, so no need to reproduce cannons, T-Rexes, etc. |
Lkdog,
It seems like you and I are hearing much of the same from our unbroken-in TRL SA14s. Yes, the sound is sweet, pure and engaging, with a great sense of coherence that creates the illusion of listening to real people. For example in The Corr's live unplugged album, Andrea Corr sounds Irish and her inflections and even any hesitancy or minor errors on her part are now very audible, but they somehow make her sound more human and makes the performance seem more real.
This player has the most tuneful and tight bass I've heard in my system. Deep bass can be a bit light on some recordings but on others it is all there (e.g. Maroon 5)... the player may need more break-in but it may also be the recording. Don't know.
The fun truly is just beginning. I don't mean to gush... but the TRL SA14 already sounds very good, and I have spent over a year listening to bad digital as I completely revamped my digital front end. |
Paul owns Fidelis Records and Diversity Records. I have 4-5 of his albums, including hybrid SACDs. According to the notes on at least 1 of the albums, he is the recording engineer, so if anyone knows what the original artist should sound like, its Paul. |
I haven't used the QuickSilver yet... something to do this weekend. I hope to put it on all the connectors in my system.
I have not read up on QuickSilver yet. Did anyone report any drawbacks? |
I've got about 60 hours on the SA14 now and it is doing well. It continues to be smooth, focused, clean, and coherent. But it is a bit bright on some recordings. Given that it is said to need 500+ hours of break in, I am confident that it will be excellent given how it sounds already.
Jack, I will give the Quicksilver a try just before a short business trip this coming week so that it breaks in while I am away! |
Howard,
I'm looking forward to your and Paul's comments on the 9500. I originally intended to get the 9500 modded for the same reasons as you (newest Crystal DACs, updated HDAM, perhaps better DSP). But what put me off was that the 9500 is designed to be used with a monitor, and my system is audio-only. Some functions require a monitor (e.g. turning digital output on/off) but you don't need to do these set-up tasks often. Other functions, like putting a disc on repeat, are easier with a monitor, but I was able to memorize the sequence of keystrokes needed. In contrast the SA14 is audio-only so I find it easier to use. I do still have it though.... |
You can program most of the settings once. I lugged the 9500 to the tv room to switch the digital output on and select 2 channels, then never had to bother again. I don't know if the remote for the sa14 works with the 9500... that would help. |
Hi Howard,
I think you will be pleased with the results. I also have an Asian Marantz 9500 (220v) and I am not at all happy with the sound on redbook or SACD, or as a transport. I find the high frequency lacking in refinement and the overall is not very coherent. And this is in spite of having the very latest Crystal dacs and updated HDAM output circuits.
My TRL SA14 is still breaking in but it is already a much better player and transport. While it needs to further settle in, it is quite dynamic and natural. Play a well recorded CD or SACD (those those of Paul) and it will sound very analog.
Let us know how your 9500 turns out! |
My TRL SA14 is continuing to break in. Speed, dynamics and general smoothness and coherence seemed to vary for better and worse throughout the break in period. The top-end has gotten more refined since about 3-4 days ago but isn't yet where I would like it to be. I figure in a week it will be fully broken in. I still have to try the QuickSilver... will try it first on the audio out and power in of the Marantz then go from there applying it elsewhere in my system. I am told the QuickSilver takes 3 days to itself break in so I better get going on it soon! |
I've had my SA14 (and a CRL Silver series power cord) for slightly over 3 weeks now, and its been playing continuously for almost th entire time. The sound has been changing. Bass has gotten stronger so I need to adjust my sub down a bit. Top end still needs to smooth out more and the mid doesn't seem as fleshed out and natural as it did earlier. Power cords take a lot of time to break in (and this one has a ton of metal in it, its like wrestling a snake). I guess I need to give the SA14+power cord another 1-2 weeks to break in. |
Thanks! I have mine on the Custom setting... that's how it was when it arrived from TRL. No problems with my set up but I'll try the Normal setting once the SA14 + metal python (aka CRL Silver Series power cord) are fully broken in. I have not listened for a few days since I have been away. |
Howard, do enjoy your TRL 9500! We all here talk about audio but I understand that it is one of the best video players you can buy. I have a 220v model too. I did not know that it could be converted from 220v->110v. Its just 4 months old and it is region-free (plays all DVDs) but I'm going to sell it since I don't watch many movies and I'd rather stick with my already modded SA14 for audio.
Jack, I have a tube pre-amp (Joule Electra LA100 Mk3), a digital amp (Acoustic Reality eAR Two, 250 watts/channel), nOrh 9.0 speakers (the one with Scanspeak Relevator drivers and a marble cabinet) and an ACI Force powered sub.
I'm a believer in power conditioning, so the pre-amp and amp run off a Blue Circle Music Ring balanced power supply. The SA14 runs off a separate balanced power supply (from Bolder Cable). I am using 3 parallel power conditioners -- 2 Blue Circle Noisehound Mk 3 and a friend's Quantum Symphony Pro. The pre and the 2 balanced power supplies use Bolder Cable Nitro PCs (the one on the Blue Circle has a bybee filter). The amp uses a matching Acoustic Reality power cord.
Rounding off the system is a set of Echobuster room treatments. I am thinking of getting 1-2 "seams" from 8th Nerve to further treat the room where the wall and ceiling meet. |
Hi all, I was wondering if someone could tell me what the 2 different filter settings on the SA14 are supposed to do. I do not have the manual (I bought my SA14 used). I believe the Custom is supposed to allow ultrasonic frequencies (>20Khz) through?
Thanks! |
Sorry to hear the bad news, Howard! |
I got an email from Brian earlier this weekend. Its very nice of them to give a free upgrade. Too bad shipping from Hong Kong is ~$320 round trip!
My SA14 has been burning in for a month now. I would imagine that the redbook section is fully burned in now (I have played red book 95% of the time). But, the CRL Silver power cord is a big thick beat with lots of metal in it so I think it still has a bit to go before it fully settles in. The refinement has improved in the past few days. |
Yup, the CRL Silver power cord is a tough, heavy snake to wrestle into place. If you order one do make sure that it is longer than you need since you'll need the extra length to bend it. Mine has been playing 24x7 for over 4 weeks and I still don't think it is burnt in... but I guess the good news is that my system will be sounding better in the coming weeks. I still haven't tried the Quicksilver so I guess I have 2 good things to look forward to (3 if you count the future update to the latest mod spec).
At some point I will compare the CRL Silver PC with the Bolder Cable Nitro, which I have on my preamp and both balanced power supplies (I also have 1 for my digital source which has not been used since I got the SA14). The Nitro is dynamic and is very flexible. Its a step up from your usual Belden-based power cord. Since I already own both power cords, I can only benefit from the comparison! |
Cjenest,
I see that you, like me, are breaking in a CRL Silver power cord. They take a long long time to break in. I have over 600 hours on mine and I am still hearing it smooth out.
Have you tried the Quick Silver? I have not yet (I should) but I understand that it makes the highs more refined. |
I finally tried the QuickSilver silver goo last night. Its now on the RCA outputs and IEC of the TRL SA14, the RCA inputs and outputs of my Joule tube pre, the RCA plugs of the 2 sets of ICs, and the plugs of my pre and amp.
Initially, I hear improved dynamics and treble extension but the sound is overall a bit bright. From what I read, break in requires at least 72 hours of signal flow. The sound should smooth out by then but even at this point I am convinced the Quicksilver does something! |
Clio, the QuickSilver only has 24 hours on it but it is much smoother and less bright than it was last night. The music last night was not just bright, it was no longer coherent. This evening, much of the coherency is back. The midrange seems a little bit thin, though. I'll listen again after another 24 and 48 hours.
Howard, what color 9500 do you like? I bought mine in HK and got a black one. |
Thanks for the feedback. I was glad and relieved that after 24 hours the QuickSilver had settled down quite a bit. I've got an audiophile friend coming over for a listen at around the 68 hour mark. I've got the SA14 running 24 hrs/day, though the preamp and amp are on standby. I had treated all the inputs/outputs being used on my preamp, as well as the ICs that plug into them.
The treble is already reasonably refined and the bass is clearly more powerful (I also put QS on the preamp output that feeds my sub, as well as the IC that plugs into it). Overall sound may be a bit smoother though my focus is for the midrange to fill back out. I will take another listen tonight (~48 hour mark).
Howard, hope you are able to get another 9500 again. I thought my 9500 sounded ok but I decided to go for an SA14 since I have an audio-only system. If you're interested in a lightly used black 9500 from Hong Kong (region free, 220v) then let me know. |
I'm past 60 hours (on the cdp only, not on the system overall) and the sound is still bright / midrange is thin. |
I did a mini comparison of 3 aftermarket power cables on the TRL SA14 yesterday and was surprised at how big (and different) an impact they had! One gave the TRL SA14 a "classical" tube sound -- less treble/bass extension, a bit slow, nice bloomy midrange. Another gave a stereotypical SS sound -- very extended, great PRaT but thin midrange. The last was a nicely balanced mix of the first 2, plus slightly more precise imaging... but unfortunately it was the most expensive cable ($750)! My friend who lent me the $750 cable also has a cheaper cable from the same maker (~$200) and I've asked him how the sound compares... At this point, I haven't sent my SA14 back to TRL for the free update, which I understand will improve dynamics, upper bass and flesh out the midrange (round trip shipping will cost me about $300 from Hong Kong). |
Hi all,
Here are the power cords that I tried with the TRL SA14:
- Most tube-like sound: Bolder Cable Nitro
- Most SS-like sound: Cable Research Lab (CRL) Silver series
- Best of both worlds: Ven Haus AirSine
Please refer to my descriptions of the sound above. I was quite surprised by how different the power cords were. I was also surprised how the Nitro sounded when paired with the TRL SA14 since in the past with other components the Nitro had great extension and a balanced presentation. It just shows how different components interact differently with different power cords.
Jack, thanks for the input. I am tempted to send the SA14 back to TRL. My thinking was to give them a bit of time to see if they further refine/finalize the mod, since the shipping bills really add up. I'll reach out to Brian. I hope he has fully recovered. |
More experimentation with power cables... this is like tube rolling but without the burnt fingers! ;-)
I tried 2 other power cables on the TRL SA14 -- the Analysis Plus Power Oval and the VenHaus Flavor 4. Then, I really mixed things up by putting the CRL Silver back on the SA14 and trying the Analysis Plus Power Oval on my preamp.
1. Analysis Plus Power Oval and the VenHaus Flavor 4, no change to power cord of preamp
The Analysis Plus Power Oval is clearer, more transparent and smoother than the Flavor 4, with better PRaT as well. Midrange has a nice bloom on acoustic guitar but vocals sometimes sound a bit thin, thinner than the VH AirSine but no where as thin as the CRL silver. The bass was not as extended or as tight as the Airsine or CRL, but tighter than the Flavor 4. At this point, the Airsine is clearly the best all around cord so far. The analysis oval plus is probably #2 overall but the CRL does many things better than it. Really, the midrange of the CRL were fuller then it would be almost perfect with the TRL SA14!
2. Next, put the CRL back on the SA14 and put the Analysis Plus Power Oval on my preamp (replacing my Bolder Cable Nitro)
Interestingly... while the Nitro makes the SA14 sound very tube-like and the AP makes the SA14 sound more dynamic, transparent and quite neutral.... the AP does not make my Joule Electra tube preamp sound thin. I had feared that removing the nitro from the Joule would make the SA14+CRL sound very thin. But, no.... the midrange instead sounds fuller and more natural. The overall sound seems a bit more transparent and extended in bass and treble, though sometimes with less bass weight. Overall, the sound is pleasing. Its amazing how the Nitro can interact very differently with the SA14 and the Joule!
At this point, here are the top 3 cable combos that I've tried so far.
1. VH Airsine on SA14, Nitro on Joule pre
2. CRL Silver on SA14, Analysis Plus Power Oval on Joule pre
3. Analysis Plus Power Oval on SA14, Nitro on Joule pre
I hope to find time for a bit more experimentation. I'd like to try the VH Airsine + AP Power Oval. Then maybe I'll aso try swapping out the bybee'd Nitro on my balanced power supply that powers my Joule and Acoustic Reality digital amp.
Fun fun fun. Some people may wish that the TRL SA14 were tubed, but playing with power cords is really helping to significantly shape the sound... and power cords don't burn out like tubes. These are not changes that are hard for me to hear. |
As you guys recall I posted my impressions of how different power cords sounded with my TRL SA14 and on my preamp.
Here's an update. I did not mention before but I have bybee filters at the analog outputs of my preamp. Before, with the bybee filters, I noticed that the CRL Silver series power cord gave the the TRL SA14 extended highs and deep tight bass but was somewhat bright.
A few days ago I removed the inline bybees.... Funny, I barely heard a difference with or without the bybees before with my old source... but now with the TRL SA14... bass extension became a bit less and a bit less tight and there was a bit lesss treble extension but... the midrange now seemed fuller and more natural and the high end was less bright! All in all, though, a more natural and musical presentation that got me about 70% to where I would ideally want to be. I love it when taking something out of my system does the trick! ;-) Over x'mas I will send the SA14 back to TRL for the "free" upgrade (mine was one of the early SA14s modified and the mod has changed since then), which is supposed to further flesh out the midrange and improve dynamics. With that done then perhaps my system will sound perfect. |
Hi Jack. I'll definitely get it done. I am really amazed at how revealing the TRL SA14 is. As I said, the bybee filters had a minor impact on the sound before but now with the SA14 the difference is night and day!
Cheers,
- Jay |
TRL told me the v1 and v2 sounded the same after mods. For me the v1 worked great since it was cheaper to buy plus black blends in better with my other gear. |
Sbayne, what power cord are you using? If you've got the CRL silver series then based on my testing a VenHaus Airsine will provide a slightly more relaxed and organizc sound (all things being equal). |
Sbayne, I posted comments about 5-6 weeks ago on how various PCs sounded with my TRL SA14. While the specific results may be different in your system, the TRL SA14 really shows the difference among power cords. |
Clio,
We have the same preamp (Joule Electra LA-100 Mk3). I've got mine hooked up to an Acoustic Reality digital amp (200+ watts into 8 ohms) so lots of juice for my speakers, which are simple 2 ways (though not very efficient). I find the overall sound a bit thin when I use the CRL Silver power cord on the TRL/SA14, not sure what your experience is. For my system, an AirSine power cord is a better match with the TRL/SA14, though I haven't bought one (I tried a friend's) since it is $750 for 6 feet...
- Jay |
