Best SACD player for the money - Marantz SA-11S1

I have to agree with Lkdog, if TRL was pushing a unit just because of availability, why have I, at their recommendation, been waiting for the past 3 weeks (and an additional 2 to 3 weeks) for the TRL/Marantz SA-11?

I agree with LK's newer chipset analogy, it makes sense that a newer chipset may be much better, after all, technology does advance. Hell, a new computer is out dated within 6 months, so maybe a 5 year old DAC chip has been improved upon?

The TRL guys mod everything from SACD players to big CRT projectors, I know, the modified my over 200 pound Sony VPH-1272 3 gun CRT projector with great results. They've also modified a few line doubler/scalers for me, of which were greatly improved and saved me thousands of dollars that would have been required to get my video to the performance level I now have.

Considering their modest price ($550), it might be possible that they have seen more units than the more expensive mod shops ...

I am a bit suspicious of TRL. I asked if they could mod my Sony unit a few months back they said yes that the could mod the single disk SCD-C555ES. They did not know that it is a changer!! I told them and they said 'Yes, we can mod anything". When I go to a mod place, I want someone that knows my player, not someone that does everything under the sun and figures out what they do as they receive orders. I am not sure this is the case with TRL. I have never had them do work for me. Just sharing that the mistake of not knowing my unit made me hold off any mod action.

"I am a bit suspicious of TRL"

It looks like you have been debating doing a mod for over a year with anyone.
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ddgtl&1083355590&openusid&zzDcaudio&4&5#Dcaudio
There are many choices out there.
Good luck. I am guessing almost anybody you choose can improve the unit in some way.
Whether you are satisfied is another story. Maybe you just are a vinyl guy.
Good luck.

Dcaudio
Just as a counter point to your thought.
I have a McCormack UDP-1 which really is a fine sounding unit. Being the possessed, audio nut that I am, I pursued another modder who advertises mods here on Agon regularly. That modder WOULD do a mod on the UDP-1. I also asked Paul at TRL if he would mod the unit, mostly because of the cost of his mods, and the apparent results he gets with them. Paul said "NO". Paul will not mod anything out there. I just got an SA14 modded by TRL - It's still burning in. Based on my dealings with Paul - he is worth a try, to say the least.
Of course, you have to make up your own mind, and feel comfortable with your decision.

Good luck

I would like to hear more comments on the stock performance of the SA-11s1 from those who have lived with it for a while.