Hello guys,
It is good to see a bunch of TRL users grouped here to share and discuss. I just have a Gold Color DV9500 FedEx to Paul for mod. Yes, it is an Asian Version rather than the black US version. Hopefully it will be ready by next week or so.
By the way, what SACDs and CDs do you guys use to burn in your player?
Thanks,
-Howard |
Oldpet,
Thanks for the suggestion. I have a couple performing CD's that have frequency ranging the whole spectrum with very dynamic rhythm and transient. However, I have more difficulty finding the similar's in SACD. Most likely I will burn-in the SACD (preferrably m-ch) with some large scale orchestral works as the last resort.
Jsala,
I have no doubt it will beat the crap out of my Ah! CDP that I am using now. However, that would not be enough. I was in Taiwan last year and listened to numerous high-end systems at friends' places both in digital and analog. I trully look forward to how well this player is going to perform.
Originally I wanted to sign-up the TRL11 from Paul. But due to the short supply, I just couldn't wait. While contemplating between SA-14 and DV9500, I chose to go the 9500 route because of its newer 4398 DAC, updated HDAM output circuits, and m-ch support. Regarding the transport, I believe its transport should be similar or even identical to the one used in Denon3910 as they both source from D&M Professional. So far, Paul is liking what he sees in term of built quality, while the sound is still the 'typical' Marantz house sound. Knowing Paul's team is a bunch of miracle workers, I am hoping that the player could reach the league to be with the big boys such as TRL11 and 14. I can't wait to receive the player.
By the way, what IC and PC are people using with their players? I am getting the Silver PC from Paul as well. Any recommendation for ICs?
Thanks,
-Howard |
Jsala,
Acutally the TRL9500 will be used in a stereo rig only also. I am hoping that I can program most sequencies into my iPaq where I consolidate most of my remotes into. Things that concern me the most are 5.1 and 2-ch switch, DSD and CD/PCM layer switch, and a few others. I am wondering does the buttons of the SA14 remote work with DV9500?
Thanks,
-Howard |
Guys,
I assume these anti-static sheet are these glossy semi-translucent dark gray color bags used for motherboard, VGA, and HD packaging, is it? If so, I will get a few from my work. My Ah! CDP seems to be pretty flimsily shielded. Perhaps it will work magic for me.
Paul is wrapping up the work with DV9500. I asked him to evaluate whether disabling the headphone output will improve the sound quality; if it will not have any adverse effect, I also asked to have it modded if possbile.
Jes45(Jack) may swing by to audition the player before it will get shipped back to me. With his extensive experience/knowledge about TRL products, perhaps he can give us some insight! ;) |
La45,
I have been thinking of using StillPoint ERS with my Ah! also. Could you elaborate more on what you mean by "applied a few pieces around the transport area"? Does this mean small pieces of ERS is adhered to right above the transport on the cover, and the transport sides and bottom? Do you use the plain or the adhesive sheet? I also look forward to hearing the spec of the special anti-static sheet that you are using.
Sbayne,
Welcome! I am sure that you will enjoy your TRL8260 well! Please keep us updated about its progress. |
Hello guys,
Paul told me that my player should be shipped out today. Since I live in East Coast, it will most likely take 4-5 business days to arrive. Paul only got to try out its component out I believed, by which he is not impressed when he compares to a TRL mod DVDO iscan. However, he didn't get to try out 720P/1080i HDMI output. Since my player is originally 220V, a mod in PS section must also take place. Because of that, I presume the video portion should be improved by that mod to an unknown extent. I will probably have an access to a Chrisite LX+58 in a few months. I will report back when I get to see the picture projected on a 10ft screen. For the time being, it will reside in my 2-ch rig serving as a dedicated SA/CD source.
Since I will be leaving next Friday to LA for 3 weeks, I will most likely put the player on repeat for 3 weeks! :) By the time I come back, the magical 500hr will be reached. Hopefully the player won't go up in flame! :P Yes, I will miss all the burn-in fun.
I am also trying to locate a used set of HT Cyberlight Wave. If anyone has experience using this set of ICs with TRL players, please inform me.
Jack,
Thanks for the feedback. Besides DV9500, Denon 5910 was the next universal player on my list. For people who are more into video than sound, I think Denon 5910 would be a great mod candidate with great potential. Does any videophile have one and would like to send it in for Paul to mod? :)
As always happy listening and enjoy the music,
-Howard |
Indeed, let's go back to the topic. My TRL DV9500 will arrive Wednesday and I also locate a pair of HT Cyberlight Wave with battery pack, which will arrive Friday before I head off for vocation, to use with TRL9500. I will report back my first impresssion after spinning a few good SA/CDs. |
Jack,
The player actually arrived a day before. I went to FedEX to pick it up. The box is a bit wrinkled. Upon opening the package, I first saw that Paul is very nice to included quite a few goodies such as SA/CDs and other stuff. Since I had a evening meeting to attend, I stopped at that time and shoot a quick email to Paul to confirm the arrival of the pakcage and thanked him for all goodies included. One thing missing is the Silver PC I also ordered. After coming back later, it took me a few minutes to unwrapped the nicely pakcaged player. It is heavier than I expect with a nice Gold color, then I saw the horrible sight. Facing the player, half of the left side edge is concaved in. My heart sank! Why did this happen to me! I called FedEX around 12am to establish a claim number. Hopefully, I can get FedEX to come inspecting the package before my 3-week leave on Friday. I was upset and it was late, therefore I just repackaged the player to put it back to the box.
In short, the whole burn-in schedule for my TRL9500 is shut. I really hate that when the carrier damaged my items.
Sorry guys, the feedback about the pleasure of enjoying the TRL sound will be postponed! :(
-Howard |
Before 'others' misuse this incident, let me clarify one thing: TRL has one fo the best packagings for shipping I have seen. I am sure it is FedEX's (very) rough handling that causes the damage. Looking down form the top, the player was first wrapped in long saran sheets horizontally and vertically in a top and under fashion. After that, looking down from the top again, followed a long sheet of bubble wrap wrapping vertically in a top and under fasion in multiple layers. Because the bubble sheet is about 5/8 of the player width, there is another layer bubble sheet wrapped around the player, then multiple layer bubble wrapping horizontally. Therefore, looking from the top, the multi-layer bubble sheets formed a cross-like wrapping. Since Paul packed serveral goodies inside the box, the player is snuggedly fitted inside the case. Since the damaged is done at the front left-side edge, I suspected it is a strong impact at the edge of the box to cause the smooth curvature of damaged.
Does anyone know of any FREE public sharing web store, so that I can upload pictures for Paul to review?
Thanks. |
Hello guys,
How is every one's SA14? Has anyone got the TRL SA11 yet? My cliam venture hopefully is coming to an end soon with FedEX. Yes, it has almost been two months. If everything goes well, I will use the reimbusement moeny to get the TRL SA11 this time.
I heard from Paul that a few people already have their new transistor amps. Could someone (i.e. Jack or others :)give some insight about this amp in comparison to other top-tier amps? Thanks. |
Ozzy,
Actually Paul from TRL has been very helpful throught the whole process such far. While the pakcage was very well wrapped, when inspected it was even suspected by more than one FedEX staff that the package probably was dropped from a high place in order to induce the damage from such manner of wrappings. The whole delay is mainly due to the claim department of FedEx trying to side stepped the responsibilty. After being inspected more than three times, change hands in two claim agents, and numerous phone calls from both myself and Paul to the claim department, I look forward to seeing the end of this ordeal soon and get my replaced TRL modded player to enjoy the music.
Since I was contemplating to have a TRL SA11 originally. After all may be it is meant to be for me to have a TRL SA11. Once I get my replacement, I will try to leave some impression here also. |
Jack,
I look forward to reading your review on ST-225 SOON. :) Regarding your SA14, would you mind giving us a short comparison of it to your mater reels? If you also know anyone who has a top notch vinyle rig, I would love to know how SA14 comapares, too? Thanks. |
Lkdog,
I also have some Quick Silver paste that I haven't had time to try yet. When I find some spare time, I will also give it a shot and see how it fares in my rig.
I also heard a good news earlier from TRL that FedEX finally admitted the wrong doing and coughed up the money. Although the whole ordeal took a long while, I am glad it is finally over! Thanks again to Paul at TRL for the assistance and patience in dealing with FedEX and others' sympathy. Now I will be soon back to the game. Hopefully Marantz USA is gonna ship SA11's to TRL very soon, so that I can get my replacement ASAP.
Besides the spray-on stuff, what other devices do you guys use to demagnitize your CD's? Has anyone tried the ionic fan, Furutech RD-2, or others? |
Ozzy,
Thanks for sympathsizing with me about the situation. A replacement from TRL would be nice, but since my player is specially ordered from HK for its color, it is very difficult to souce from Marantz USA. Paul did try, but yielded no avail. However, it did give me an opportunity to contemplate getting SA11 as replacement instead. Since SA11 is back ordered for awhile, it somehow coincides with FedEX delay to reimburse the amount for the new 9500 damaged. At work a new project comes and I am busy working 14+-hour days this week and possibly weeks to come. I guess I just don't have much time and energy to worry about this, but wish that TRL can bring a closure with FedEX very soon and the new relaced player will show up promptly after the claim being settled. While being frustrated in this whole process, I am also trying to be positive. Being screwed up before by other senders/buyers, I am glad to have a vendor that is willing to work with me to resolve the claim promptly. Rather than being pessimisitc for life is too short, I guess I am trying to be optimistically pessimistic. :) Thanks being to all who have offered encourgements. As always, let's be merry and enjoy listening to music!
|
Jsala,
Mine is the beautiful golden color!
To all,
For Quick Silver paste application, do you guys treat only the RCA sockets or are RCA plugs on IC's also treated? How much is needed? Can anyone also suggest the best way to apply 'appropriate' amount? |
To all TRL users with a vinyl setup, could you also share the impression about the sonic differences between your TRL and vinyl rigs? Thanks. |
M3Pilot,
Welcome to the group. Please keep us posted about the progress of TRL SA11S1 break-in. Which player(s) does SA11S1 replace? |
Bob,
By all mean, I am the one got the a TRL DV-9500 that got damaged by FedEx during shipment. I like much of what I heard on TRL 9500. That's why I haunt down an used SA-14 and it will be going to TRL directly for mod. :) I am looking forward to seeing how it will perform in my rig.
For all TRL SA-14 users, which vibration-dampening/draining devices are you using with your player? Due to SA-14's off-center transport design, I assume it would be more prone to (2-D, x-y)horizontal vibration. A couple reports I have read seem to support this theory as well. I suspect Symposium Roller Blocks-like devices should have good impact on SA-14. Comments? |
Lawyerman,
Would you mind elaborating on the differences? I am very interested. Do you think a SA-1 can improve more if it also undergoes TRL mod? Also would you mind sharing the associating rigs and your experience with various PCs, ICs, and tweaks on your Marantz players?
Thanks. |
Lawyerman,
Thanks for your comment. You do have a nice rig there. Hearing quite a few WP7, and a couple MaxxII and X2 combos, although I haven't heard MAC and WP7 combination before, I guess it is good.
I currently have one SA-14 being modded by TRL. It is good to know SA-1 is a strong contender/player in stock form. I was wondering whether SA-1 could be further improvement by mod because (to me) TRL's mod, though to be revolutionary, seems to be more 'complimentary' compared to other modders. What I mean is that other modders seem to prefer replacing many parts, output stages, and/or even almost the whole entire circuitry. In contrast, TRL's approach seems to preserve the strengths of the player and augment them, then other 'secretive' mods to rectify shortcomings in order to bring the player to the final augmented state.
As you have said, SA-1 has a quite 'complete' design with only few minuses, I wonder and presume SA-1 may benefit more by TRL mod philosophy because most of its strength would be preserved and/or further augmented (if possible) and the weaker area would brought to the level as the rest of the player. Do you find SA-1 or TRL14 to be sensitive to PCs and ICs? By the way, welcome to the group!
Jack,
I guess we are on the same page. :) If you do get a SA-1, I would love to hear your input as well. By the way, if you get a chance, please swing by TRL and take a listen of my SA-14. I ask Paul to incoporate a few more 'tweaks' and replace one part in mine,which is being burn-in during the weekend for eval. If you get to hear it, please let me know of your impression (either good or bad). Thanks. |
Jay,
I would echo Clio09's commens, try CRL Gold if you like the CRL sonic attributes and would like to get more density in your overall sound. If memory serves me right, CRL Gold use about twice amount of copper (gauge-wise). The other way to explore is to try some top quality graphite-based dampers underneath. Do you live in HK? If so and interested, please email me and I can point you to a couple good graphite damper makers/manufactures in Asia whom I have tried their products with good results.
I know a couple TRL users are also using HRS Nimbus dampers. Perhaps the Nimbus users could shed some light whether it yields improvement in that area. |
Besides La45, does anyone else plug his/her TRL 14 into any power condition units? If so what brand and model is used and what are the differences? Thanks. |
Guys,
Because I still have Tice Audio Sig PBIII HP and a few other stuff around, I thought I will give them a try also. Who knows if TRL 14 being modded to be battery powered, then there won't be much concerned; but I also wonder how much improvement could be there for a battery powered 14 over the standard AC powered 14? |
