TRL Marantz Sa-14

Jsala
Yes, my RAM modded Toshiba has the full mod which DOES include the Super Clock 3. I prefer the McCormack to it though - The UDP1 just appeals to me more. A bit warmer sounding than the Toshiba, I would say. The UDP is a fantastic sounding "universal" player. The TRL is the way to go, as far as pure redbook and SACD are concerned.

Looking forward to hearing everyone elses impressions of their TRL machines.

Jes45-

Cousin, you got the TRL bug alright. Please whatever you do don't sneeze in my direction. I just can't afford it right now.

Lkdog-

Keep me informed on the SA-14 break in saga. Happy that you got something special. Look forward to your reports.

Lkdog,

Sounds good. Looking forward to your comments on the ST-225. A new amp would be a bit down the road for me as I need to first burn in the TRL SA14. I'd be curious about how warm and musical and engaging the ST-225 would be. Seems like you are quite happy with the modded A300. Used, these would be great buys now. I have a tube pre right now and I don't relish the thought of retubing it down the road (6 tubes, need to recalibrate, etc).

Oldpet,

Glad to hear that the TRL-Marantz SA14 comfortably beats the best RAM Toshiba. I had considered buying one of those and, sure, the SA14 turned out more expensive but I don't mind spending more in this case on better sound and build quality. If I like the voicing of the SA14 then I'd probably stick to TRL mods in the future!

For the record, my Sony 2000ES player just passed the 300 hour break-in mark. Everyone of you who guided me on what to expect during these harrowing but musical hours I give my thanks. While I enjoyed the player, I felt the bass was not happening but due to my fellow cousins and others I hung in there. Well the journey is over. The bass is awesome!

The Sound of the TRL Sony 2000es is rich with body, weight where it should be on instruments that demand it, and a wonderful full soundstage with lots of air and dimension.
For the price of the mod and the cost of the Player, this is a runaway hit. The bass now goes further down with nice articulation and very little smearing. I have to thank Ric
Cummings for making a speaker that allows me to hear so well into the low frequencies. Thanks to Donnie for making a superb preamp and amplifier and to Paul of TRL for making it all happen.

The SA-14 is better than what I am hearing? This is unreal!

I just received my TRL SA14 yesterday. It was very well packed -- it must have taken a good 10 minutes to unpack... the sequence was something like:

- open outer box
- remove styrofoam and bubble wrap placed along the sides to insulate inner box from outer box
- lift out inner box
- remove layers of bubble wrap inner box wrapped in
- open inner box
- remove several layers of bubble wrap wrapped around SA14
- remove several more layers of bubble wrap wrapped perpendicularly to previous layers
- remove several layers of saran (plastic cling) wrap

Only then, finally, was the SA14 unpacked! Even the remote and the CRL power cable were meticulously wrapped in bubble wrap.

I did this at 1am so I didn't have time to even plug in the SA14, which I hope to do tonight though I am getting home late again.