TRL Marantz Sa-14

Baranyi-
You will not be disappointed.
Have fun!

DO IT! Also know that TRL offers your money back on the mod if you are not satisfied with the player. From what I have read, no one has asked for it.

Go for it. I just got my Audio Mirror DAC back from TRL and combined with my TRL Alesis ML9600 transport I have noticed a huge improvement in clarity right out of the box. While it is a bit lean right now as the DAC, as well as the CRL digital cable are breaking in, sonically it is at this point much better than the stock Audio Mirror unit. I realize this isn't a TRL Marantz SA-14, but I'm told by TRL this is a step below based on what they were able to accomplish. Knowing that, I can only imagine what the TRL Marantz SA-14 can sound like. If I go with a one box unit in the future, the Marantz will be my race horse. No question in my mind at this point.

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

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

Baranyi and Pardales-

Agreed. The champagne is really sweet looking and that color is a classic Marantz look.

Once I get my TRL SA-14 I will be able to tell you as I owned the XA777 for some time. It will probably be a few weeks though as TRL just got my unit on Friday.

Has anyone here heard or owned a stock sony xa777es? and if so how would they compare the sound to the modded sa 14?

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

My understanding was that all the version 2's were in the champagne color. I waited to find one because I wanted one that color.

This link is much better picture:

http://www.marantz.com/pdfs/c_sa14.pdf#search='marantz%20sa14'

You will need Acrobat reader to open the .pdf file.
Regards-

Baranyi-

Here is a link with a small picture of an SA14 v1.
I think they only came in black.

http://www.consumerreview.com/cat/audioreview/digital-sources/cd-players/Marantz/PRD_321710_1586crx.aspx

The v2's certainly were very attractive and only came in that traditional champagne. It is my understanding that there is no difference after the TRL mod between the two versions, but check with Paul at TRL about that.
The v2's are usually more used than the v1's.

The v1 is a nice looking unit and like v2, the build quality is very good.

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

Baranyi-

I forgot that Ezra lives in the Chicago area.
He knows audio.
Glad to hear you had a chance to hear the TRL SA14.
I enjoy mine very very much.
Good luck in your search!

Bob: Glad to hear that you made it to Ezra's. He is a wonderful guy with an incredible system. I heard that he is getting the new Transistor Research amps. I have their smaller integrated.

The TRL 14 is an incredible machine at an affordable price.

Keep us informed.

Best,

Jack Seaton

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

Baranyi: Have you had the opportunity to hear any of the modified players in your area?

If so, which ones?

Best,

Jack Seaton

After following this post for several months I finally found the unit I wanted (SA-14 v2) and am having it shipped to TRL. I look forward to reporting my findings.

Baranyi -

Call or email Paul at TRL. He has had representative units of almost all of the modded machines of those you are considering come through the TRL shop for work and has likely worked on all of the stock units these modders use also. They have done something like 600+ mods in the past year so have seen a lot of gear versus just a few certain units.

If anything, you will get more information to assist in your decision. He is very honest and helpful and will not push any product at all.

It also might be helpful if you could decribe your ideal sound character and maybe folks could comment if a particular modded unit seems to meet those criteria.

Also, if you are dying to hear a TRL Marantz SA14 and are not a serial killer (just kidding) we can work something out. I live three hours west of the city in the Quad Cities.

Hi Bob

I've never heard the APL, and probably never will. Can't justify the 5K for the player. A used SA-14 sells for around $1100. Add the $550 for the TRL Mod, and you've got yourself one fine sounding player. Take your left over $3350 and go on a short cruise. :-)

Or - If you're really obsessing - you could probably get a used Exemplar 3910, with the left over money, do a side by side comparison with the TRL, and sell the one you like least.

BTW - My TRL Sa-14 is not for sale. Unless you make me an offer I can't refuse. ;-)

I don't think you'd be dissapointed with the TRL SA-14

good luck

paul

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

Shuang-

Paul was not very specific about the update but I will report back here the improvements assuming there will be.

LKdog-

Still waiting for one of you to place your TRL SA-14 for sale. So far you guys are "in love". If the person whome I just contacted is reading this, will you please hurry up and get bored of it so that I can make you an offer.

For now I will continue to love my Sony 2000es. Some improvements in the system have up the ante and everything sounds great. Plan on sending Paul this unit in for update sometime next weak.

La45-

Well, I actually had pretty limited experience in listening to higher end digital. Just my stuff through the years and a friend who actually has had some high end DACs, etc.

I got my first TRL unit (595) without hearing it first. I had talked with some people who had it, a pro reviewer, and of course Paul Weitzel. Really just took a flyer on TRL (as I would have with any modder, really). Guess I just liked what others had to say and Paul was clearly ethical and passionate about audio.
I am sure other modder units are excellent also, but I am very happy with my TRL SA14.

LA45, could you elaborate on the updates available for the Sony 2000ES TRL? I own the same TRL modified unit and am curious. Is it a small improvement or greater?

Lkdog-

You seem to have had many opportunities to listen before deciding on the TRL. Like others here I went with what was said on this thread in making a decision. It was APL or Exemplar but the TRL is so reasonably priced I could not resist. No regrets at all on my decision.

Not many used SA-14 in the market so I plan on sending my Sony 2000es TRL for an update. Apparently there is no other players that Paul recommend at this time that exceeds the performance of the SA-14.

La45-

The TRL SA14 is better than anything I have had before including:

-CEC transport/Bel Canto DAC 1.1
-Cary 308
-other various midlevle Pioneer/Sony players.
It is also better than the Sony TRL 595 I had this Spring which was an excellent player in every respect.

My turntable/cartridge/phono stage is in my signature.
The TRL Sa14 does many things better than my modest setup, but analog has it's own character and I would say that there are some recordings I tlike better on my TT setup.
This is depenedent upon the software/or LP also.

My "non-TRL" SA14 is not very PC dependent. At lease not to my ears or the various cords that I have tried. I am sure that others feel differently.
The rest of my system (all Krell) is very sensative to different PC's?

Richard

LKdog- or any SA-14 user. How would you rate the TRL SA-14 to past players or transport/dac combination you ever had including turntables?

And is this player really sensitive to power cords?

Oldpet-

Glad to hear you are enjoying your TRL SA14.
It is a fine unit.
Yes, you are neurotic, but we all are :)

Pardales
Good point. I know i've said this before. I don't feel the urge to 'upgrade' my source any longer. I'm not naive enough to think that my TRL SA-14 is the "best" playback source out there. But, I can't see spending multiple thousands of dollars to POSSIBLY squeeze out a bit more "improvement". It really does sound that good - in my system.

I've seen the occasional STOCK Sa-14 for sale here. I've actually considered buying it, and having it modded by TRL, just in case my player breaks. Is that neurotic? hmm....

have a good lobor day everyone. :-)
paul

Another way to look at it is, and all this is, is, another way to look at it: how many modified TRL CD players have you seen for sale on this site? I'm a pretty regular Audiogoner and I have only seen one.

I sold my TRL Sony 595 pretty quickly when I moved up to the TRL Marantz SA14.
Yes, the TRL units used are a great value.
Like any modded unit, though, the seller takes a hit.

As for an A/B of the SA14, I have a buddy who is assessing his SA14 right now before he sends it off to TRL. Many have heard before and after. TRL can certainly provide you an opinion on what they think the difference is; but you likely will prefer the report of an end user like Oldpet, Jes45, etc who visit here often.
By most reports-the mod allegegly addresses the thin-ness and digital hash especially of the unit, while increasing detail and extension significantly.
I had mine shipped directly to TRL for the mod.

Sony SCD777ES modded by richard Kern.

Another way to look at it is, and all this is, is, another way to look at it: how many modified TRL CD players have you seen for sale on this site? I'm a pretty regular Audiogoner and I have only seen one.

Jasonwells-

Which transport are you using with your DAC?

Yeah, I'm one happy customer as well. The improvements will be as stated here previously, greatly widened/deeper soundstage, thunderous incredibly well defined bass, greatly improved micro and macro dynamics, beautiful highs, etc. I have a pretty darn good dac, and I was floored by the amount of improvement the mod made. There was no single way I could have gotten close to the improvement any other way in my audio system that I did in the mod.

Unless you can find a "before and after" owner of an SA-14, the best person/people to ask would be the TRL guys. Paul or Brian would honestly be able to tell you, in detail, what the differences will be.

They don't really have anything to gain by telling you. They Don't manufacture the machines (obviously) - so one more mod isn't going to make, or break them. You'll find them to be, honest, ethical, and professional all the way.

I have no connection with TRL, other than, I am one happy customer. :-)

Best
paul

This is one long thread! I read a lot of it, but have a question:

Has anyone compared the SA14 to the SA14 TRL, side by side, keeping all variables (interconnects and power cord) the same?

(I have the SA14 in a very large Krell/B&W system. The SA14 replaced a older Krell unit, and surpassed it in almost all respects. The only shortcomming would be the slight loss of detail, which I improved by tweaking it with the Neuance platform and different interconnects.)

I live in San Francisco, and could make such a comparison, as I have extra interconnects of the same type as I am using now.

Richard

So excited that I sent the Audio Mirror to them UPS 2 Day. In addition I am getting the CRL Silver digital IC with Bocchino ends ($85 each I believe just for those). My previous experience using the CRL Silver power cord on the TRL Alesis transport led me to this purchase. I had previously been using an Audience PowerChord which I think is an excellent value for the money. After swapping it out for the CRL Silver I immmediately noticed much better bass and blacker background, right out of the box before burn in, but it wasn't until I went back to the Audience for comparative purposes after the CRL Silver PC had a chance to burn in that I found out how much difference there was between the two. If the digital ICs are as good my ears are in for a big treat.

I will have a complete TRL digital set-up when the Audio Mirror gets back and plan to write a review on it after burn in.

They're modding a friends Audio Mirror DAC this next week. He's pretty excited about it.

Best,

Jack

Pardales-

Yes. They have done many current models I believe.

Does TRL mod any current Sony or Denon units?

I got TRL to upgrade my Audiomeca Enkianthus X dac, and I've been burning it in. I noticed some of the same things you mentioned at first, and it definitely takes a long burn in. However, right now the improvement the mod made is bordering on incredible. I'll post a full review in a week after I have ~400 hours or so on it. It was money WELL spent...

Jason

Brouch - based on my listening the TRL mod is worthy of recommendation as it stands now. I'm just trying to squeeze that last drop of performance out of it. I should mention I've got it sitting on Mapleshade footers with heavyhats. The power cord is a ZCable Red Lighting. So if you consider the total cost I have in this player the $500 TRL mod is well worth it on a cost/benefit basis even if the player doesn't improve with even more break-in (IMHO of course).

Thanks Sbayne, I was wondering how the 8260 was sounding. Please give us more feedback in another month. I will be intrested to hear of any improvements after you feel the unit is broke in and everything is coming together. My stock 8260 waits for your final judgement, or start looking to the upgrade path. I hope the TRL mod path is the way to go. Sounds like the mod has already improved everything a great deal.

Sbayne-

Yes, very thorough and thoughtful comments.

However, all those great attributes have not melted together into one very believable sound. I still know I’m listening to a CD.

There are many who believe that the TRL players actually take near 750 hours to fully relax and settle in. Your sense of silver wire in the mix is likely accurate. I think they use some of their proprietary power cord wire to the IEC inputs and this is long break in stuff.

Curious as to the rest of your system/cables, etc. I found with the TRL 595 I had that it exposed some of the weaker areas in my integrated amp and speakers a bit more. For me, anyway, it kind of put my system components out of sync.

I ended up having TRL mod my integrated amp.

I eventually moved up to the SA14. As good as the 595 was, and I am sure the SA8260 is, the SA14 does take the next step to suspending disbelief even moreso.

After the SA14 broke in, I ended up moving up to the next level of ACI monitors.

Moral of story- send the damn thing back before you end up upgrading your whole stinking system :)

Just kidding-but it does get you working on the whole synergy and system blance thing.

Keep us posted.

Nice reporting Sbayne. Too early to pass judgement and perhaps your keen ears are indeed on track. Microdynamics is part of coherency and synergy. I am sure it will come thru eventually.

If it does not then SA-14 is the next stop where by all reports its no slouch in that category.

I posted a while back that I sent Paul a SA-8260 for modding. Thanks to everyone who requested updates over the past few months. It has taken a while because one of Paul's key employees was injured in a car accident and he has had a lot of players coming in for modding. After getting it back the break-in period has taken a very long time. I’ve lost count of the hours but my best guess is it has 550 to 575 hours on it.

Fresh back from the mod, the player sounded much more dynamic than the stock unit. The bass was deeper but the mids and highs may have been even a little more shouty. I am guessing he uses some type of silver solder or wire because in the past I’ve heard the same thing when using silver cables that were not fully broken-in. The soundstage opened up at about the 200 hour point. Images fleshed-out well in front of the speakers, 2 or 3 feet wider than the speakers and at least 5 feet behind the speakers – all with a very nice center fill. If you are getting a flat soundstage with your TRL player either its not broken-in or there is a weak link some where in your system, because its not the player.

The mod sounds fine but I’m a little concerned about the microdynamics in the midrange and treble. I’m not talking about hearing detail but having a real and relaxed sound. This is hard for me to describe but the one area of playback I always listen for is a sense there is no strain in the system and the musicians are simply making music. My wife is a professional musician and I enjoy making music (I’m no pro though!) and if I hear sounds that are over emphasized I immediately think something is not right. I know my recordings very well and I’ve owned/heard some very good players, dacs and transports over the years. I can just “feel” if the midrange/treble microdynamics are right. If you spend any significant time around live acoustic music you know what I’m talking about.

The TRL 8260 is very good and its getting better as more time is put on the player. Everything is “there” but it just hasn’t relaxed yet. To put it another way, if I were to break down every aspect of this modded player I would say the midrange has clarity, the treble is smooth yet detailed, the soundstaging is huge, the bass is tight and the background is black. However, all those great attributes have not melted together into one very believable sound. I still know I’m listening to a CD.

The answer may be to move-up the food chain. A SA-14 maybe on the horizon. Before I go that route, I’m just going to let the 8260 keep playing – I think its capable of better sound. So even this “review” is still a work in progress. I’ll report back in about another month or so.

Hi Cuz,

Glad to be back on the scene. I am starting to look around for my next upgrade. I would not mind hearing the APL 3910 but its really out of reach for me. The Exemplar player looks interesting and within reach. Its hard to find a problem with the Sony 2000es TRL (after some additional transport support) sound so an upgrade to the SA14 or SA11 has to be another level up.

Don't know where I will land next so any feedback from users on any of these players are welcome. The SA-14 is a sure winner I just want a current player.