TRL Marantz Sa-14

Dracule1: I'm included in an order of 25 players that TRL ordered from Marantz USA about 3 weeks ago. I could get one from another source, but at added expense. This said, i can wait ... I think. Regardless of where I purchase, it will definitely go to TRL for modifications. I've heard the stock versus TRL modified SA-14 ...

La45: The TRL SA-14 just does everything better; Better dynamics (micro and macro), higher resolution, tighter focus, blacker dark area around each instrument, deeper lower bass extension, and deeper and wider soundstage. Don't get me wron, the TRL/Sony 2000 is an incredible player, one that I could be happy with for years. Everything that the TRL 2000 does well, the TRL SA-14 does better. If I hadn't heard the difference, (if I did not hear it for myself), it's likely that I would not be buying a Marantz player. (The TRL 2000 is no disappointment)

But, don't take it from me, ask Oldpet. He has had the pleasure of having a TRL SA-14 in his system for several hundred hours. My friend who is nearby, with the TRL SA-14, brought the player over to try it out in my system for a few hours. We found that the SA-14 likes the Stillpoints/HRS Nimbus combination with the balls upward to the SA-14 bottom cover, at least in my system. We used the single ended outputs with FIM Gold interconnects and FIM Gold power cord. The TRL SA-14 integrated very well into my system. I can only imagine after the cables had sufficient time to relax ...

Soon Jsala and Lkdog will have theirs. I'm sure that they'll be helpful.

Best wishes,
Jack

Jack thanks for the information. I better stay away from hearing the Sa-14 for I am afraid to fall into the pit. Just finished playing "Jacobs tracks" on Proprius label and I am in heaven.

I decided to tweek the isolation on the Sony by adding small amounts of Blue Tack under the tray just to break up any resonances. I also made an isolation base composed of three different layers a polymer material/plexiglass with a special damper in between. Nice improvement in smoothing out the vocals and increasing subtle dynamics that were not there before.

I can start selling my LPs now. I agree this is a very easy player to live with and may I add a downright STEAL for the price of admission.

Guys enjoy your TRL SA-14. Maybe next year I will look for one used.

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.

La45: I completely understand. I strongly advise you not to hear a TRL SA-14 until you are ready to purchase.

I've found that the TRL/Sony C2000ES is very receptive to isolation devices as well. I've tried just about everything, but settled on Stillpoints with one HRS Nimbus disc (only) underneath. This offered the most natural tone, dynamics and soundstage for me, although this will differ from system to system. I will try the blu-tac under the tray, too. Have you had any problems with the tray opening? It seems like the blu-tac could fall down and screw with the door/tray opening mechanism?

Best,
Jack

Jack,

Good observation on this potential problem. I will keep an eye on this although I find the material very sticky and easy to apply so far its staying in its place.

The isolation base and the DIY tube trap I made improved things so much that the thought of using any other players at this point is not in my mind. I feel if there is any deficiency in the system it may be what can be described as the "more" effect whereby its not anything missing just more added when upgrading to the higher priced TRL players.

Alot of folks out there are struggling to get a particular sound out of their system. I have the opinion that having expensive gear does not neccessarily translate into synergy. For some reason the TRL player makes this effort easier to accomplish.