TRL Marantz Sa-14

Benb: I use 3 Stillpoints sitting on top of one HRS Nimbus disc (rubber portion only). This combo has worked best in my system. I repeat, it works best in my system. When I take my player over to my friend's system, the TRL/Sony 2000 liked the Stillpoints only, which is a little too harsh in my system, thus the Nimbus underneath to tone the harshness away. Experiment in your system to find what works best for you.

Regarding the isolation device location, there is adequate space on either (inner) side of the front stock plastic feet and one towards the center in the back. It's not a perfect triangle, but don't worry, it still works fine.

La45: You said, " 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."

Exactly. I've had numberous expensive digital front ends in my system over the last couple of years. I had a budget sufficient to afford everything that I'd tried, yet I own a $850 (after TRL mods) Sony 2000.

Wonder why? I don't ...

Enjoy your player, La45. If it's keeping you up late at night, it's doing something right!

I just heard my friend's TRL/Marantz SA-14 again. It is really sounding good.

So good I'm re-evaluating my decision to go with the SA-11 ...

Jess45

Just think of all the MUSIC you can buy with the $$$$ you save, if you go with the 14. ;-) Your decision of course. :-) I'm sure you'll love either.

Best

Paul

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.

Jsala: Why not talk to Paul about a power cord? He might have a solution for you. My friend bought a power cord from Paul for his SA-14. I use a FIM Gold on my TRL/Sonny 2000. It's funny using a $1300 power cord on a $850 player, but I had it around anyway and it is incredible. It makes sense though, Paul designed the FIM Gold cable, so maybe it's an integration thing.

Regarding isloation, I recommend that you try every possible combination so you find what works best in your personal system. Try as many combinations as you have to find what works best. You'd be surprised how much performance is lost when folks fail to spend the time finding the best isolation for their player. Remember that isolation device material will determine the voicing of the unit. Don't be afraid to try 1-1/4 inch maple blocks or brass cones, too. Softer materials may have a tendency to soften the sound, (dynamics, too). Harder materials may have the tendency to harden the sound. Experiment! Have fun! I love our hobby!

Paul (Oldpet): I've decided to buy a used SA-14 and enjoy it until for a while. That is after TRL gets done with it! My friend's TRL/SA-14 had around 400 (?) hours on it the last time I'd heard it and it was incredible. We played a couple of Paul's live recording CD's and his Fidelis Cello SACD and I sat with my jaw dropped for an hour. But, I don't need to tell you that, do I? You have one ...

These guys also have a new amplifier company, Transistor Research Labs. I've heard the proto-type over at Brian's house and it is insane! I've sold my Tube Research amps and will take delivery on their new ST-225 integrated within a few weeks. It's 225 conservative watts/channel, has 3 pairs of inputs, and has a seperate 48 stepped attenuator for each channel. Price is $5500. (The amps I sold went for 2 to 3 times that amount). They also have a 500 watt mono for $9K, but it isn't out yet.

Best wishes,
Jack