All in now

Manticore

I finally decided to jump all in with the purchase of a pair of 1c's. I picked them up from an original owner about 3-4 weeks ago who just did not have the room for these to breath.

He did have the original interconnect cable but, no paperwork, manual or boxes.

Also he had a recently checked out ok w/paperwork adcom gfa 555. I paid $700 for the threesome. Fair price I feel.



These are hooked up with a pair of Mit cables to the 1500A amp. I liked the way the 1500 sounded more so than the 555. The 555 seemed a little more bright to me. So the 555 is being used for the A7's in HT duty. I am using the 1c's for just 2 channel listening. I started listening to various music from the ever expanding SDA playlist and in most cases was ever so pleasantly pleased.

The first two days I was getting up to make sure the center and surround speakers were off even though the front panel on the AVR said they were. Like a kid at Christmas is an understatement! As stated in another post "learning how to listen to SDA's". Sitting in the room with eyes closed and just sucking in the sound. These are not end game speakers for me but, a really nice edition to the long road of music listening.

When I can save a few beans I want to start the upgrade process. It really sucks that PB is holding folks for ransom. Now folks who would benefit from some well taken upgrade photos can't. I have seen some really good upgrade photos on this site before...now most are gone.

I think the hardest part of the upgrade process for me will be the soldering onto the new boards. Oh yes I can solder 2 wires together but, never had the need to solder to new 100 + dollar boards before. We will see as this is further down the road and further down the rabbit hole.

CH46E

Wow, they look great. The whole set up does.

If i were you i would find an old cicuit board to practice on. I did a number on a JBL L80T crossover i upgraded. Ended up having to add a lot of solder to fill a hole i burned into it.

Moose68Bash

Nice acquisition, and you won't be disappointed -- especially with the full range of modifications you can apply to the 1Cs.

After completing just about every mod imaginable on mine, I think these vintage Polks hold their own with a lot of very pricey speakers made today.

And, they have the SDA effect, which noe of the contemporary has.

pkquat

Welcome to the SDA club. I'm glad your enjoying them. The right speaker may be a little close to the hard wall. You may try putting a blanket(s) over stuff along that wall and see if it helps the sound. Another option is to move the 1C's in, and the A7's to the outside of them, provided it all fits within the SDA recommendations and your room and seating position.

I have about 6 feet between my 1C's, and my alternate speakers outside of them, toed in. With your eyes open you think sound is coming from the outside speakers. It's real fun when I have my M5's on the outside. People wonder how such a little speaker puts out that much bass.

How would you compare the A7's to the 1C's for overall full range sound and bass, excluding the SDA effect.

Manticore

CH46E wrote: »

Wow, they look great. The whole set up does.

If i were you i would find an old cicuit board to practice on.

Thanks, I am trying (listening to those more educated with HiFi). I guess I could dig up an old board to see just how bad I mess it up! Good advice.

Moose68Bash wrote: »

Nice acquisition, and you won't be disappointed -- especially with the full range of modifications you can apply to the 1Cs.

After reading many posts on others acquisitions of Polk & other equipment, & after seeing these in person I did feel comfortable laying down the cash for this.

I am already not disappointed in any way, shape or form. Its going to be cool to see how the sound transforms with the speaker upgrades as I progress. Not sure if I am going the full monte or slightly less.

pitdogg2

they deserve good caps

Manticore

pkquat wrote: »

Welcome to the SDA club. I'm glad your enjoying them. The right speaker may be a little close to the hard wall. You may try putting a blanket(s) over stuff along that wall and see if it helps the sound. Another option is to move the 1C's in, and the A7's to the outside of them, provided it all fits within the SDA recommendations and your room and seating position.

I have about 6 feet between my 1C's, and my alternate speakers outside of them, toed in. With your eyes open you think sound is coming from the outside speakers.

The SDA's are certainly unique sounding. Very enjoyable experience for my wife & I.
There is 3' to that hard wall but, it opens up another foot or two just in front of the front firing drivers. The SDA's are 8 feet from the centers of each PR.

Because I am using the SDA's basically in 2 ch mode I wouldn't want the speaker that close to the TT. Where they are now I get zero howl, feedback when using the TT.

But, I am going to try what you said and swap the positions of the SDA's & A7's. I do believe you are correct. I also feel the SDA effect will be that much more pronounced.
Thanks for the recommendation.

Manticore

pitdogg2 wrote: »

they deserve good caps

Please give me some time...there are only so many visits to the blood bank they will allow.

I need to save a few beans. Again great advice!!

pitdogg2

completely understand. I waited until Sonic Craft had their sale before I bought all mine. YEA it was a CHUNK of change

Manticore

Does Sonic Craft have a yearly blowout or something like that or just keep looking at their web site and wait?

pitdogg2

Couple of times a year 20% off i think

Manticore

I will have to regularly check the site. Thanks.
Oh and make a list.

msg

Nice combination setup you've pulled together there. You gotta be loving the SDAs so much better for music than the RTiA's?

txcoastal1

Manticore wrote: »

I will have to regularly check the site. Thanks.
Oh and make a list.

Just wait it out, reward will be paid in spades

Pick up what ya' can and can afford, it's not a race.

I've spent a year gathering gear, refusing to play any of it until the entire system was complete

Manticore

I am actually enjoying music with the SDA's. I think the SDA's are also bright but, not like the 7's. Some music is just exceptional sounding on the SDA's & some not so much. Probably not a deficiency with the speaker...but the media being played.

/\/\/\ @txcoastal1 I've spent a year gathering gear, refusing to play any of it until the entire system was complete

That is awesome to be able to do that. Ive been told that I have the patience of Job (public service) but, I couldn't wait a whole year myself.

txcoastal1

You have the speakers, they sound good, you gather the parts (how ever long it takes)

Then they sound great...not like you're without

Manticore

This is true. After reading some other posts I hope I can get this done before its all over...and you guys are gone
Already lost probably more than half of other peoples upgrade photos.

pkquat

Manticore wrote: »

The SDA's are certainly unique sounding. Very enjoyable experience for my wife & I.
There is 3' to that hard wall but, it opens up another foot or two just in front of the front firing drivers. The SDA's are 8 feet from the centers of each PR.

Because I am using the SDA's basically in 2 ch mode I wouldn't want the speaker that close to the TT. Where they are now I get zero howl, feedback when using the TT.

But, I am going to try what you said and swap the positions of the SDA's & A7's. I do believe you are correct. I also feel the SDA effect will be that much more pronounced.
Thanks for the recommendation.

I would also try a blanket, rug, or something over the hard wall too. With SDA's about 3' from a window, there is a difference if the curtain is open or closed. They are better when the curtain is closed.

machone

pkquat wrote: »

Manticore wrote: »

The SDA's are certainly unique sounding. Very enjoyable experience for my wife & I.
There is 3' to that hard wall but, it opens up another foot or two just in front of the front firing drivers. The SDA's are 8 feet from the centers of each PR.

Because I am using the SDA's basically in 2 ch mode I wouldn't want the speaker that close to the TT. Where they are now I get zero howl, feedback when using the TT.

But, I am going to try what you said and swap the positions of the SDA's & A7's. I do believe you are correct. I also feel the SDA effect will be that much more pronounced.
Thanks for the recommendation.

I would also try a blanket, rug, or something over the hard wall too. With SDA's about 3' from a window, there is a difference if the curtain is open or closed. They are better when the curtain is closed.

Or add acoustic panels.

Manticore

pkquat wrote: »

Welcome to the SDA club. I'm glad your enjoying them. The right speaker may be a little close to the hard wall. You may try putting a blanket(s) over stuff along that wall and see if it helps the sound. Another option is to move the 1C's in, and the A7's to the outside of them, provided it all fits within the SDA recommendations and your room and seating position.

I have about 6 feet between my 1C's, and my alternate speakers outside of them, toed in. With your eyes open you think sound is coming from the outside speakers. It's real fun when I have my M5's on the outside. People wonder how such a little speaker puts out that much bass.

Ok i have switched the 1c's & A7's positions. The sound stage has dramatically improved. It is so noticeably better.

Good call on that one!

I am going to try spinning a record. Hopefully there wont be any/too much feed back from the close proximity of the speaker to tt. I might have to swap a few things around.

pkquat

I'd still try a blanket, curtain, or something along the wall as a temporary test too.

I don't think you mentioned where your seating position is. I assume you have followed the guide on speaker and listening position distances.

Malbec

First order of upgrade business would be to swap out the tweeters for the RDO-194's
When ordering tell them you're a club polk member.