SDA 2 Interconnect Cable Need to Make One

GrChick
GrChick Posts: 5
edited January 2012 in Vintage Speakers
I just picked a pair of SDA 2's with the Pin Blade Interconnect cable missing.

I live near Parts Express in Dayton, OH.

Would someone please give me a correct parts list so that I can construct a quality Interconnect Cable.

Is there a forum member that sells complete cables?

I am assuming it is no longer possible to buy an original one.


I can then audition SDA 2's vs. my Rt3000p.


Thanks,

Greg
Post edited by GrChick on

Comments

  • bikerboy
    bikerboy Posts: 1,211
    edited May 2011
    For a pin blade type the pin is the only connector that matters. The center pin or positive connector of a rca plug is the right size. I removed the outer ground of a rca plug and soldered that to the wire. Works great. Make sure the amp you use is common ground. You will like the sdas with all the drivers firing.
    Main system: Lyngdorf TDAI 2170 w/ Pioneer 42" plazma-> Polk LSiM 703 w/Tivo, Marantz tuner, BRPTT: Nothingham Spacedeck-> Pioneer PL L1000 linear arm-> Soundsmith DL 103R-> SUT->Bottlehead ErosDigital: I3 PC w/ Jriver playing flac -> Sonore Ultrarendu -> Twisted Pair Audio ESS 9028 w/ Mercury IVY Vinyl rips: ESI Juli@24/192-> i3 PC server
  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited May 2011
    Contact Ben625XXX he makes them to order.:wink:
  • Indyaudio2
    Indyaudio2 Posts: 127
    edited January 2012
    Ben625xxx I am new on the site and apparently can't send a PM yet. I am picking up a set of SDA2s tomorrow, no cable. Can you help me out? Pls send me a note, thanks very much.
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,475
    edited January 2012
    Indyaudio2, he is the last person you want doing anything for you.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."


    President of Club Polk

  • thejck
    thejck Posts: 849
    edited January 2012
    Wish someone had told me that :-)
  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited January 2012
    Indyaudio2 wrote: »
    Ben625xxx I am new on the site and apparently can't send a PM yet. I am picking up a set of SDA2s tomorrow, no cable. Can you help me out? Pls send me a note, thanks very much.

    Hi Indy, and Welcome to CP!:biggrin:

    You may be able to find an original cable on ebay. If not, they are easy to make.

    All you need to do is use a single, good quality RCA cable of an appropriate length, and remove the "petals" from around the center pins so that the pins will go in deep enough into the back of the speakers. That's it. The "blade" on the pin/blade cable doesn't carry a signal; it's just there for stability.

    If you would like a higher quality cable, made to order in terms of length, color, etc., contact pepster (Paul). He does excellent work, and has proven himself to be ultra-reliable.

    Congrats on the new speakers!
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,501
    edited January 2012
    Indyaudio2 wrote: »
    Ben625xxx I am new on the site and apparently can't send a PM yet. I am picking up a set of SDA2s tomorrow, no cable. Can you help me out? Pls send me a note, thanks very much.

    Just curious about the Serial Numbers on your SDA 2's and if you have pics. Some models connected with the pin only, and some had both the pin and blade in use.
    VTL ST50 w/mods / RCA6L6GC / TlfnknECC801S
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  • Mr. Bubbles
    Mr. Bubbles Posts: 736
    edited January 2012
    You may be able to find an original cable on ebay. If not, they are easy to make.

    All you need to do is use a single, good quality RCA cable of an appropriate length, and remove the "petals" from around the center pins so that the pins will go in deep enough into the back of the speakers. That's it. The "blade" on the pin/blade cable doesn't carry a signal; it's just there for stability.

    E-bay is a good place to look for an original. I saw one go on there just last week. There may be someone on here that has one since a lot of the guys convert to binding posts. I would be very careful with the RCA cable deal (even though it works very easily) as the internal conductor on an RCA cable is normally very small. Since this interconnect carries full current speaker signal, a very small gauge conductor in the signal path can easily cause unwanted effects. If you can use a soldering iron well, it is very easy to make your own cable for this purpose, or as some of the others here have mentioned, there are guys here that can make one for you. Good luck and enjoy.
    If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of Progress?!


    Monitor 5Jr, Monitor 5, RTA12, RTA 15TL, SDA 2A, 1c, SRS 2, 1.2TL, CRS, Atrium.
  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited January 2012
    SDA2s use a blade/blade cable, available through Polkaudio. 1-866-764-1801
  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited January 2012
    gdb wrote: »
    SDA2s use a blade/blade cable, available through Polkaudio. 1-866-764-1801

    Whadju talkin' 'bout, Willis?:question:
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited January 2012
    "About" $40-$45 (for CP members)
  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited January 2012
    gdb wrote: »
    "About" $40-$45 (for CP members)

    No, I meant the part about SDA2's being blade/blade.

    There were SDA-2's, SDA-2A's, SDA-2B's, and SDA SRS-2's. Of those, some were b/b, some were p/b. The OP says his are p/b.


    edit:

    but the more recent OP, Indy, has not said which he has. Maybe his are b/b. That would be good to know....:wink:
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited January 2012
  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited January 2012
    gdb wrote: »
    See post # 4. :wink:

    yea, but in my experience, when someone says "SDA2's", they could mean 2's, A's, B's, or SRS's.
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
  • Indyaudio2
    Indyaudio2 Posts: 127
    edited January 2012
    F1nut wrote: »
    Indyaudio2, he is the last person you want doing anything for you.
    Thanks F1! And appreciate your assistance on the CarverAudio site with my Sunfires. They are dialed in and sounding great!

    I did pick these SDA2 up tonight. After stretching the side panels, re gluing fabric, and reattaching with a detailing, they look great. Got in some moderate listening without the cable, but with Sonic Holography on my Carver C9 and I'm enjoying the sound.

    Cables need to be blade blade for these 2Bs...any advice on making them is appreciated. I read some threads on the site for pin blade and was ready to go but need the blade blade, thanks
  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited January 2012
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,475
    edited January 2012
    Indyaudio2 wrote: »
    Thanks F1! And appreciate your assistance on the CarverAudio site with my Sunfires. They are dialed in and sounding great!

    Glad to hear it.

    Cables need to be blade blade for these 2Bs...any advice on making them is appreciated. I read some threads on the site for pin blade and was ready to go but need the blade blade, thanks

    You can buy the terminals and make your own, http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10001_10001_248760_-1

    or you can buy one pre-made from Polk.

    To make your own, use a 2 wire cable of your choice. Run one wire from the large blade to large blade and one to the smaller blades.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."


    President of Club Polk

  • brgman
    brgman Posts: 2,859
    edited January 2012
    I believe i have a B/B cable i do not need around here if you want it.May not be the prettiest but it works fine.
    Main Rig-Realistic AM/FM Record player 8 track boasting 4 WPC

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    I’M OFFENDED!!!!
  • Indyaudio2
    Indyaudio2 Posts: 127
    edited January 2012
    F1nut wrote: »
    Glad to hear it.




    You can buy the terminals and make your own, http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10001_10001_248760_-1

    or you can buy one pre-made from Polk.

    To make your own, use a 2 wire cable of your choice. Run one wire from the large blade to large blade and one to the smaller blades.

    F1Nut, you 'da man! thanks so much, perfect hardware from Jameco. Believe I'll make a set pronto.
  • Indyaudio2
    Indyaudio2 Posts: 127
    edited January 2012
    brgman wrote: »
    I believe i have a B/B cable i do not need around here if you want it.May not be the prettiest but it works fine.

    Thanks for posting, what would want for it? I tried to PM you, but I"m so new, only 5 posts and need 10. Can you PM me? Thanks man.
  • Indyaudio2
    Indyaudio2 Posts: 127
    edited January 2012
    Here's a few pics of them. Pardon the bungie cord on one....glue still drying on top of the sides. No cord connected, so they are toed in for now. Pic of the rear indicates blade blade and is there only one such cord or terminal size for these? Brgman, will your cable fit mine?

    For you guys that use Carvers Sonic Holography, how does it compare to the use of the Polk interconnect cable? I didn't get much listening time last night, but they sounded very nice without the cable, toed in, and running through my C9 Holography generator.

    Would love to hear your opinions here, thanks guys.
    DSCN5099.jpg
    DSCN5103.jpg
    DSCN5104.jpg
  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,212
    edited January 2012
    Freaking nice room and gear!! When you get your SDA cable don't toe in your SDA's
  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited January 2012
    Toolfan66 wrote: »
    Freaking nice room and gear!! When you get your SDA cable don't toe in your SDA's

    +1.

    Those are 2B's, BTW.

    Congrats!:biggrin:
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
  • Indyaudio2
    Indyaudio2 Posts: 127
    edited January 2012
    Just curious about the Serial Numbers on your SDA 2's and if you have pics. Some models connected with the pin only, and some had both the pin and blade in use.

    Pic posted below, thanks. Looks like blade blade.
  • Indyaudio2
    Indyaudio2 Posts: 127
    edited January 2012
    Toolfan66 wrote: »
    Freaking nice room and gear!! When you get your SDA cable don't toe in your SDA's

    Got it, toe in now with Holography, no toe with cable - excellent. They will take the spot of my Norman Model 9s right behind them.
  • Indyaudio2
    Indyaudio2 Posts: 127
    edited January 2012
    +1.

    Those are 2B's, BTW.

    Congrats!:biggrin:

    Yep, thanks, good to know what you got and have some of the experts confirm.
  • Indyaudio2
    Indyaudio2 Posts: 127
    edited January 2012
    Indyaudio2 wrote: »
    Thanks for posting, what would want for it? I tried to PM you, but I"m so new, only 5 posts and need 10. Can you PM me? Thanks man.

    Brgman, tried to PM back, didn't work. Pls PM me again with Paypal info. I now have 10 posts, so maybe I can reply via PM. Be back in a few hours, thanks
  • Indyaudio2
    Indyaudio2 Posts: 127
    edited January 2012
    Guys, before my "new" cable arrives (thanks in advance Brgman!), I would like to try out the effect. Can I use speaker wire and carefully place the leads in the slots? Large to large, small to small? Safe to try this? Thanks much.
  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited January 2012
    Use toothpicks to wedge the ends in snug and make sure nothing or no one can tug them out while juice is flowing.:wink:
  • Indyaudio2
    Indyaudio2 Posts: 127
    edited January 2012
    gdb wrote: »
    Use toothpicks to wedge the ends in snug and make sure nothing or no one can tug them out while juice is flowing.:wink:

    Thanks man, have them running now with smaller gauge speaker cord. Mikey Likes!

    But they are sitting out in the room in front of everything. Getting them set up without toe in will be a challenge in my room. They will go in the spots of the speakers directly behind them in the photos. So if I can't get them configured without toe in, they may have to be used with toe in, no cable and benefitting from Carver Sonic Holography instead of the cable effect. I'm assuming this means the outer Dimensional bass drivers may not be running full juice all of the time like the inner Stereo driver?

    I did notice that the inside ones seem to operate more than the outside and with some decent SPLs, they bottomed out with some Bela Fleck and Victor Wooten bass tones. Amp had PLENTY of reserve left, so no clipping going on. Meters in the lower quadrant on the McIntosh MC 2105 rated at 105 RMS.

    And one last question - odd load with these speakers being 6 ohms. My McIntosh amp has the old fashioned terminal strips with outputs for 4, 8, or 16 ohm, you gotta choose one. I am running them on 4 ohm, is this best or should I choose 8?

    Thanks Polk gurus...back to room with a cold one to enjoy some SDA effect!