TRL Marantz Sa-14

Pardales -

To my knowledge, TRL has not done an 8260. I think they may have done both versions of the SA14, but were not able to do a side by side comparision if I recall correctly.
Maybe if you email Paul he can comment on that.
I seem to recall someone stating (don't hold me to this)that the difference after mods of SA14v1 and SA14v2 was negligible even though the SA14v2 had some enhancements to the stock version.

The 8260 uses the same DAC. The SA14v1 has been claimed to be very similar in stock form to the 8260 IIRC in sound by one professional reviewer. They fooled around with power cords and were able to get the same voicing or sound basically from the two units.
The SA14 v2 supposedly had some improvements of some type in shielding and power handling after alleged comments about the SA14v1 being so close to the 8260 in sound.
I think someone stated in a forum that the SA14 v2 was slightly better than the v1 in SACD, but the Redbook was the same.

All of the above may be irrelevant as to how this all translates after a TRL mod and is something only they can maybe answer for you from their understanding of the topology of the three units.

FWIW, I almost got a used 8260, but found an SA14 at a reasonable price so went with that.

The users who have heard or who own the SA14v1 modded by TRL are certainly happy so that is probably a safe bet right now. The SA11 is supposedly slightly better.
My guess is the 8260 would be very nice also. Who knows- it might be right there with the SA14/SA11 TRL units.

hi Jack

Concratulations! I'm sure you'll love having such wonderful sound at your finger tips. Who knows - The 14 may even stop your search, for a while. :-)

I love those recordings of paul's they really are a joy to hear. I haven't even begun to play with isolation devices yet. I am using a Signal Cable HC digital power cord on the 14. It works for me. FWIW

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 not acting anyway about anything. Your the one that directed a post to me. I could care less what you do or say.

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.