TRL Marantz Sa-14

More experimentation with power cables... this is like tube rolling but without the burnt fingers! ;-)

I tried 2 other power cables on the TRL SA14 -- the Analysis Plus Power Oval and the VenHaus Flavor 4. Then, I really mixed things up by putting the CRL Silver back on the SA14 and trying the Analysis Plus Power Oval on my preamp.

1. Analysis Plus Power Oval and the VenHaus Flavor 4, no change to power cord of preamp

The Analysis Plus Power Oval is clearer, more transparent and smoother than the Flavor 4, with better PRaT as well. Midrange has a nice bloom on acoustic guitar but vocals sometimes sound a bit thin, thinner than the VH AirSine but no where as thin as the CRL silver. The bass was not as extended or as tight as the Airsine or CRL, but tighter than the Flavor 4. At this point, the Airsine is clearly the best all around cord so far. The analysis oval plus is probably #2 overall but the CRL does many things better than it. Really, the midrange of the CRL were fuller then it would be almost perfect with the TRL SA14!

2. Next, put the CRL back on the SA14 and put the Analysis Plus Power Oval on my preamp (replacing my Bolder Cable Nitro)

Interestingly... while the Nitro makes the SA14 sound very tube-like and the AP makes the SA14 sound more dynamic, transparent and quite neutral.... the AP does not make my Joule Electra tube preamp sound thin. I had feared that removing the nitro from the Joule would make the SA14+CRL sound very thin. But, no.... the midrange instead sounds fuller and more natural. The overall sound seems a bit more transparent and extended in bass and treble, though sometimes with less bass weight. Overall, the sound is pleasing. Its amazing how the Nitro can interact very differently with the SA14 and the Joule!

At this point, here are the top 3 cable combos that I've tried so far.

1. VH Airsine on SA14, Nitro on Joule pre
2. CRL Silver on SA14, Analysis Plus Power Oval on Joule pre
3. Analysis Plus Power Oval on SA14, Nitro on Joule pre

I hope to find time for a bit more experimentation. I'd like to try the VH Airsine + AP Power Oval. Then maybe I'll aso try swapping out the bybee'd Nitro on my balanced power supply that powers my Joule and Acoustic Reality digital amp.

Fun fun fun. Some people may wish that the TRL SA14 were tubed, but playing with power cords is really helping to significantly shape the sound... and power cords don't burn out like tubes. These are not changes that are hard for me to hear.

Hi Cuz,

Glad to be back on the scene. I am starting to look around for my next upgrade. I would not mind hearing the APL 3910 but its really out of reach for me. The Exemplar player looks interesting and within reach. Its hard to find a problem with the Sony 2000es TRL (after some additional transport support) sound so an upgrade to the SA14 or SA11 has to be another level up.

Don't know where I will land next so any feedback from users on any of these players are welcome. The SA-14 is a sure winner I just want a current player.

I posted a while back that I sent Paul a SA-8260 for modding. Thanks to everyone who requested updates over the past few months. It has taken a while because one of Paul's key employees was injured in a car accident and he has had a lot of players coming in for modding. After getting it back the break-in period has taken a very long time. I’ve lost count of the hours but my best guess is it has 550 to 575 hours on it.

Fresh back from the mod, the player sounded much more dynamic than the stock unit. The bass was deeper but the mids and highs may have been even a little more shouty. I am guessing he uses some type of silver solder or wire because in the past I’ve heard the same thing when using silver cables that were not fully broken-in. The soundstage opened up at about the 200 hour point. Images fleshed-out well in front of the speakers, 2 or 3 feet wider than the speakers and at least 5 feet behind the speakers – all with a very nice center fill. If you are getting a flat soundstage with your TRL player either its not broken-in or there is a weak link some where in your system, because its not the player.

The mod sounds fine but I’m a little concerned about the microdynamics in the midrange and treble. I’m not talking about hearing detail but having a real and relaxed sound. This is hard for me to describe but the one area of playback I always listen for is a sense there is no strain in the system and the musicians are simply making music. My wife is a professional musician and I enjoy making music (I’m no pro though!) and if I hear sounds that are over emphasized I immediately think something is not right. I know my recordings very well and I’ve owned/heard some very good players, dacs and transports over the years. I can just “feel” if the midrange/treble microdynamics are right. If you spend any significant time around live acoustic music you know what I’m talking about.

The TRL 8260 is very good and its getting better as more time is put on the player. Everything is “there” but it just hasn’t relaxed yet. To put it another way, if I were to break down every aspect of this modded player I would say the midrange has clarity, the treble is smooth yet detailed, the soundstaging is huge, the bass is tight and the background is black. However, all those great attributes have not melted together into one very believable sound. I still know I’m listening to a CD.

The answer may be to move-up the food chain. A SA-14 maybe on the horizon. Before I go that route, I’m just going to let the 8260 keep playing – I think its capable of better sound. So even this “review” is still a work in progress. I’ll report back in about another month or so.

Nice reporting Sbayne. Too early to pass judgement and perhaps your keen ears are indeed on track. Microdynamics is part of coherency and synergy. I am sure it will come thru eventually.

If it does not then SA-14 is the next stop where by all reports its no slouch in that category.

Sbayne-

Yes, very thorough and thoughtful comments.

However, all those great attributes have not melted together into one very believable sound. I still know I’m listening to a CD.

There are many who believe that the TRL players actually take near 750 hours to fully relax and settle in. Your sense of silver wire in the mix is likely accurate. I think they use some of their proprietary power cord wire to the IEC inputs and this is long break in stuff.

Curious as to the rest of your system/cables, etc. I found with the TRL 595 I had that it exposed some of the weaker areas in my integrated amp and speakers a bit more. For me, anyway, it kind of put my system components out of sync.

I ended up having TRL mod my integrated amp.

I eventually moved up to the SA14. As good as the 595 was, and I am sure the SA8260 is, the SA14 does take the next step to suspending disbelief even moreso.

After the SA14 broke in, I ended up moving up to the next level of ACI monitors.

Moral of story- send the damn thing back before you end up upgrading your whole stinking system :)

Just kidding-but it does get you working on the whole synergy and system blance thing.

Keep us posted.