TRL Marantz Sa-14

Gandme-
You are not butting in-you are just joining the party!
Glad to hear it fits well in your system. Not sure what to say about your different gain levels from your sources. What is your preamp that you use? Nice amp by the way. It has been told to me that since a volume control theoretically simply lets out more of the amp's static power (it does not make any difference to the amp) it really doesn't matter if the pot is at 10:00 o'clock or 1:00 o'clock for the same sound level as long as you are getting the listening level you wish. Maybe somebody else can explain this better than me.

Oldpet-
My unit won't get shipped to TRL until next week so it will be a couple weeks before it gets to me.
I can't wait. Thanks for sharing your experience with it as it helped me make up my mind between a SA14 or looking for an SA11. I would have certainly liked to get an SA11 as it is reported to be a bit better after modding, but it is out of my budget range so the SA14 is a good choice for me.

Lkdog
I have the Parasound 850 pre. I bought the amp and the preamp on the gon for $600, a budget pair indeed. I'd like to have a reason to upgrade...but they serve me well. My TRL Sony might give me the upgrade bug I fear! I have Audio Physic Virgo IIs with a Rel Storm III that sound fantastic in my room. I've never had any problems filling my large room with sound untill I hooked up the TRL Sony. I really don't know if I have a problem or not. I'm very interested in how the Marantz mods sound....I'll be following this thread... good listening to you all!

Gandme-

I really like Parasound gear. I had a 750A before I got my Musical Fidelity A300. I still use an older 800II to power my pro audio/recording monitors setup.
My best friend just set up his system with JC 1 monoblocks. They are monsters.

FWIW, you may wish to check the output of your other sources for comparision. When I had my Sony 595 modded by TRL, there didn't seem to be any difference regarding sound level even though the Sony had 2 Vrms output and my previous source (a Cary 308) had a 3.0 Vrms output. The 595 and the 2000 are almost the same in makeup with the 2000 having an additional transformer or something that helps take it up a notch over the 595.

Paul may be right that the other sources may be "hot", but if you are not easily getting the same sound pressure levels by simply turning up (opening up) your volume pot, then there might be something amiss.
TRL could easily look at it to make sure.
The only other thing I can think of is that there is some impedance matching oddity between the Sony 2000 and the Parasound 850 preamp-but I would not know what that might be.

You have a great setup-yes you should easily be getting as much sound level as you want or need.

Oldpet,

Just came back from the Home Entertainment show. So far the hours logged are around 98. But my problem is made complicated by my new Single-ended amp. The designer said it had 10 hours of burn-in time and that I should expect the sound to dive around the 30 hour mark which occured at around the 80 hour mark on the Sony.

After 48 hours the juice started flowing. If you have ever heard a good Single-ended amp you know what I mean by flowing.

Gandme-

I also experienced the apparent lower volume syndrome. Here is my take on this. I still have my transformer coupled Philips player and a few days ago I put it back into the system. It was very dynamic and screechingly louder in comparison to the SonyTRL. I view the difference as more related to noise artifacts coming from the circuitry that we all have grown accustomed to and when its removed we get a purer sound that is just a bit less dynamic to the ear.

Since I am now at the 100 hour mark the dynamics are returning especially in the bass area. I am adjusting to the TRL Sony's lack of artificial 'glare'as time goes.

Does anyone agree that this maybe a fact with the TRL? By the way compared to what I just heard at the Show, this player is doing something very special.

INMHO the Hi point for me at the Show was the in the Acapella room check it out if you are in the neighborhood.

Lkdog -
I was in the same boat as you. I would like to have gotten ans SA-11 to try with the TRL mods, but budget and common sence prevailed. I saved at least $1200 by going with the Sa-14. I honestly feel like I'll have this machine for a long time. It's built like a tank too btw. So yes, I'm loving it in my system. It just makes listening fun.
Now the only reason i look at the 'digital adds' is to see if there is another player i would like to try just for fun. However - i live in the real world and have to watch the bank account. That said - I'm still a mighty happy listener. Paul is a pleasure to deal with. His turn around time is really excellent too.

Let us know what you think.

paul