TRL [Tube Research Labs] mods to the Marantz SA8001?

[daltonlanny]

Hello,
I am considering getting my stock Marantz SA8001 player modded by TRL [Tube Research Labs].
Has anyone out there had their Marantz SA8001 CD/SACD player modded by TRL, or heard one that has been modded by TRL?
If so, what were your impressions of its sonics?
In what ways was it better than the stock unit?
How much do the mods cost?
Thanks for your opinions!

[Cosmid]

There is a 6moons review about TRL modded Sony SCD-CE595 here http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/trl/595.html. It looks like the reviewer really likes the mod. I hope it helps.

[seefeel]

Or how about the Reference Audio Mods to the SA8001?

[Uncle Erik]

I haven't heard the mods, but I'm planning to move further up the Marantz line before breaking out the soldering iron. You can find fair deals on the higher models at Audiogon.

[Gradofan2]

I'd be a bit hesitant to invest the money.

From what I recall they cost from about $400-500 to about $1,000.

That's a lot to invest in the SA-8001.

You're unlikely to be able to recover that investment, or most of it.

I'm sure they may make some improvement in the sound... but... how much?

The SA-8001 already sounds so great, that how much improvement could they actually make?

The question is... is that relatively small improvement worth that much of an investment to you... especially when it's likely to be a "sunk cost," much of which you may never recover.

I'd sooner keep watching Audiogon for an 11S2 at a bargain price, or a 7S1 at a bargain price... but, even that may not be justified - significant diminishing returns.

I think the SA-8001 may well be the "sweet spot" at it's $600 bargain price.

[wower]

I've heard nothing but good things about modding this level of player and have closely looked at my options for modding my similar SA7001. These types of players clean up nicely with some PS upgrades and new output stages. If you get a new clock in it you'll glean a bit more resolution which is nice in this level of SACD player. Still I don't quite believe it myself they compare to the sub $5000 CDPs but I think it is quite cost effective route I'm looking into myself. Some extra extension, transparency and dynamics would be nice; even at a $1000 modded price point. I always assoicate better timing and harmonics with the higher level players.

Im quite interested in Frank's comments above about moving up the ladder before modding. I'd really love have you elaborate. There must be some useful info there.

[Gradofan2]

Originally Posted by wower

I've heard nothing but good things about modding this level of player and have closely looked at my options for modding my similar SA7001. These types of players clean up nicely with some PS upgrades and new output stages. If you get a new clock in it you'll glean a bit more resolution which is nice in this level of SACD player. Still I don't quite believe it myself they compare to the sub $5000 CDPs but I think it is quite cost effective route I'm looking into myself. Some extra extension, transparency and dynamics would be nice; even at a $1000 modded price point. I always assoicate better timing and harmonics with the higher level players.

Im quite interested in Frank's comments above about moving up the ladder before modding. I'd really love have you elaborate. There must be some useful info there.

So you think the mods could possibly make a $2200 improvement in the $600 8001?

Marantz SA-8001 High Performance Modifications and New Modified Units: Reference Audio Mods

I guess I'd have to "see it to believe it."

[wower]

Originally Posted by Gradofan2

I guess I'd have to "see it to believe it."

I think we are on exactly the same page grado when I said in the text you quoted:

"Still I don't quite believe it myself they compare to the sub $5000 CDPs."

A while back I was exchanging emails with RAM about the SA7001/SA8001 mods. I'm just investigating. Some head-fiers swear but the CDP modding route so I'm trying to keep an openmind. I still don't know what I want to do. In anycase a new source is not a problem until later this year.

[Gradofan2]

And... re: TRL...

Perhaps you know those folks well... but... I wouldn't let them touch any of my components.

They refuse to detail for you the specific mods they make for $750... and... they can offer no references, or reviews - especially for the SA-8001.

And... finally... they stated that the SA-8001 has an "overly bright, strident, harsh, unclear treble" - which it absolutely does not have... not even close - its treble is very tame... almost rolled-off.

And... RAM... is just way "over-priced" for mods that just can't make that much, really noticable, improvement in the sound of the SA-8001 ($2200 of improvement).

I'd much rather "take the risk" on one of the better units of the Marantz line... but... even then, I'm a huge skeptic that they can sound "proportionately better" than the SA-8001 - better... but not $2-3K+ better. But... if you bought one right off Audiogon... at least you'd have a chance of reselling it for about what you paid for it. Though... if it were me I'd try and find a vendor with a "return policy."

[rincewind]

To the OP: have you even performed a search for "tube research labs" in this forum? maybe you want to be robbed blind? TRL tried to rip me hard, and it took months and months of nagging from me and very very thinly veiled threats of legal action or poor publicity to get them to pay back my money. After which I duly posted on here because noone deserves to go through that 5h1t.

Read this, then go find a better CDP to start with, or someone else to modify your current CDP.
Scammer: TRL (Tube Research Labs) / Paul Weitzel

And for GODS SAKE learn to use the search. One simple search would have told you to avoid TRL.

Just realized this is an old thread. I really hope the OP didn't waste their money already.