SDA 1C upgrade bug bites another one
gimpod
Posts: 1,793
Hi everyone,
I picked up a really nice pair of 1C Studio's from an original owner complete with the factory box's back in January so now I think it's time to go through them. So I'm going to lay out my upgrade plan for some feedback.
1. All drivers and PR's will be "Mortited". Drivers will be J-B Welded. As far as Dynimating the drivers & PR's i wonder if it's really worth it, it sounds like a good idea but it got me thinking if the basket rings like a bell unmounted does it still ring once it's securely mounted ? Has anybody checked this out ?
Also I might have a problem with one MW-6511 (the dreaded shipping problem) it wasn't frozen but the magnet and backing plate had come completely out of the basket and was stuck off center to the base plate, I couldn't get a replacement from Polk at the time because of the bad weather they were having. now I did check the voice coil and it seamed to be ok so I manage to get it re-centered and checked for a short and sure enough there was a short so I broke out a magnifying glass and spotted a single copper wire touching the plug, I used some ceramic glue to get laid back down and it seams to be working just fine, but I'm a little leery about it and thinking of replacing it. So my question is should I replace it with an original (if I can find one) or replace all 4 6511s with new ones from Polk CS to keep everything in balance ? That is unless one of you guys have an original MW-6511 for a 1C that you would be willing to sell I would really like to keep things original as far as the drivers go
2. The Tweeter's will be replaced with the RDO's, The SL2000's sound fine to me until you crank it then they become overpowering and a bit harsh. (Just my opinion)
3. The Cabinets - 70 % poly-fill, ALL new binding posts including one for the IC cable. A Question on the poly-fill, I take it the poly-fill go's from the top of the PR to the top of the cabinet.
I would like to use T-Nut's to mount everything with but I know there not what you would call MDF friendly, So I was thinking of using a small block of poplar or pine for the T-Nut's and gluing the blocks to the inside of the cabinets. Good or bad idea ? Would the blocks affect the resonance of the cabinets ?
4. Crossovers - I will be doing these myself. I'm going with the Mills 12w resistors & Sonicap's. Now considering how much bigger physically the new caps are vers the old one's I was thinking of making new bigger PCB's so that the components could be mounted properly.
So there it is guys, Poke holes in it, Tell me I'm wrong, but I REALLY want your opinions good or bad.
BTW: I absolutely love the sound of SDA's ever since I got my first pair of 2's in the early 80's. Why on earth I decided to sell them along with my S.A.E rack gear I don't know, must have been on drugs.
I picked up a really nice pair of 1C Studio's from an original owner complete with the factory box's back in January so now I think it's time to go through them. So I'm going to lay out my upgrade plan for some feedback.
1. All drivers and PR's will be "Mortited". Drivers will be J-B Welded. As far as Dynimating the drivers & PR's i wonder if it's really worth it, it sounds like a good idea but it got me thinking if the basket rings like a bell unmounted does it still ring once it's securely mounted ? Has anybody checked this out ?
Also I might have a problem with one MW-6511 (the dreaded shipping problem) it wasn't frozen but the magnet and backing plate had come completely out of the basket and was stuck off center to the base plate, I couldn't get a replacement from Polk at the time because of the bad weather they were having. now I did check the voice coil and it seamed to be ok so I manage to get it re-centered and checked for a short and sure enough there was a short so I broke out a magnifying glass and spotted a single copper wire touching the plug, I used some ceramic glue to get laid back down and it seams to be working just fine, but I'm a little leery about it and thinking of replacing it. So my question is should I replace it with an original (if I can find one) or replace all 4 6511s with new ones from Polk CS to keep everything in balance ? That is unless one of you guys have an original MW-6511 for a 1C that you would be willing to sell I would really like to keep things original as far as the drivers go
2. The Tweeter's will be replaced with the RDO's, The SL2000's sound fine to me until you crank it then they become overpowering and a bit harsh. (Just my opinion)
3. The Cabinets - 70 % poly-fill, ALL new binding posts including one for the IC cable. A Question on the poly-fill, I take it the poly-fill go's from the top of the PR to the top of the cabinet.
I would like to use T-Nut's to mount everything with but I know there not what you would call MDF friendly, So I was thinking of using a small block of poplar or pine for the T-Nut's and gluing the blocks to the inside of the cabinets. Good or bad idea ? Would the blocks affect the resonance of the cabinets ?
4. Crossovers - I will be doing these myself. I'm going with the Mills 12w resistors & Sonicap's. Now considering how much bigger physically the new caps are vers the old one's I was thinking of making new bigger PCB's so that the components could be mounted properly.
So there it is guys, Poke holes in it, Tell me I'm wrong, but I REALLY want your opinions good or bad.
BTW: I absolutely love the sound of SDA's ever since I got my first pair of 2's in the early 80's. Why on earth I decided to sell them along with my S.A.E rack gear I don't know, must have been on drugs.
“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” ~ Mark Twain
Post edited by gimpod on
Comments
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Update #1: Ordered my parts from Sonic Craft this mourning (What a bunch of nice people to do business with:)), Will be ordering the RDO-194-1's next pay day.
Always though my SDA's never sounded right (see pic:eek:) the other crossover was ok, does it matter which wire go's to which terminal on the big 16mH inductor
?
Hope i didn't hurt my amp, speaking of which any body know of a good place in the Seattle area to take my Adcom gear to get it refurbished i would do it myself but i don't have the gear to do it.
“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” ~ Mark Twain -
This particular subject has me on hold. I want to use some 10-32 deluxe 6 prong t- nuts, http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=081-1088 , but I am afraid of what they would do to the MDF. I agree with the wood blocks on the inside. Just trying to get some good advice if it is worthy of doing or not, or what is the best option. Currently I do not know of any other good, cost effective method to overcome the original coarse thread screw in MDF. I have three holes stripped now.
This looks cool, but good grief, who has the tools to do that?
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102023
I would like to use T-Nut's to mount everything with but I know there not what you would call MDF friendly, So I was thinking of using a small block of poplar or pine for the T-Nut's and gluing the blocks to the inside of the cabinets. Good or bad idea ? Would the blocks affect the resonance of the cabinets ? -
Update #1: Ordered my parts from Sonic Craft this mourning (What a bunch of nice people to do business with:)), Will be ordering the RDO-194-1's next pay day.
Always though my SDA's never sounded right (see pic:eek:) the other crossover was ok, does it matter which wire go's to which terminal on the big 16mH inductor?
Hope i didn't hurt my amp, speaking of which any body know of a good place in the Seattle area to take my Adcom gear to get it refurbished i would do it myself but i don't have the gear to do it.
Just pulled my XO's to do the Sonicap upgrade as well and marked everything before pulling them apart. Based on your picture, the black cable plugs into the left connector and the blue cable plugs into the right.____________________________________________________________
polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050 -
Just pulled my XO's to do the Sonicap upgrade as well and marked everything before pulling them apart. Based on your picture, the black cable plugs into the left connector and the blue cable plugs into the right.
That is correct mine is the same.. -
Sorry guy's guess i wasn't very clear with my question.
See the 2 lug's inside the red circle, there are 2 black wires that are soldered to the crossover marked P & R that connect to those lugs, What I'm asking is which black wire connects to which lug. Or does it matter.
audiobilly: I'm just going to go with the wood blocks i think it would be easier. Those ring things look kool but like you said "who has the tools"“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” ~ Mark Twain -
It doesn't matter."He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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If you can hold off on the blocks for a few, Let me see how these go on my end,I have no doubts they will work, but I am sure we can work something out...
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“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” ~ Mark Twain
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TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »If you can hold off on the blocks for a few, Let me see how these go on my end,I have no doubts they will work, but I am sure we can work something out...
No problem TOOLFORLIFEFAN, That would be real kool. Like i said before it's going to be at least a month before i start to put them back together.“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” ~ Mark Twain -
I guess yours have two black vs a black and blue so I couldn't tell you. My XO's are at Ben's right now.____________________________________________________________
polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050 -
Update #2: The new tweeters arrived today and I think I got the new crossover board layout done, The board size is 8 in by 5 1/2 in. Take a look and let me know what you think.
Color Code:
Green - Bottom copper side of the board.
Red - Solder Mask Bottom Side
Tan - Bottom area to be etched
Black - Silk Screen Top Side
White - Holes
“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” ~ Mark Twain -
Update #3: HOLLY COW BATMAN I can't believe it's been over 3 months since I started this. Oh well I never said I was fast. This is what I've got done so far.
1. Dynamat PR & Drivers - Done
2. JB Weld Drivers - Done
3. New Binding Posts & IC Cable - done
4. New Crossovers - Done (Not your usual crossover update see pics)
5. Larry's Rings &Tweeter Brackets - (Purchased not installed yet)
6. New RDO-194 Tweeters - (Purchased not installed yet)
Now all I have to do is put them all back together, hopefully next weekend.
Pic 1 is all the parts laid out for one crossover.
Pic 2 is the top of the new PCB
Pic 3 is the bottom of the new PCB“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” ~ Mark Twain -
Pictures of the completed crossover.
Pic 1 Top view
Pic 2 Bottom view
Pic 3 Old verse's New side view
Pic 3 Old verse's New top view
Let me know what you guys think.“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” ~ Mark Twain -
Sweet crossover. Great Job!!!
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Nice work!"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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That's the real deal. Nice.I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D
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Nice!!!
Did you make the new boards?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 -
Wow!!! That is a killer job..
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Nice work on the board.Did you order extras?
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Beautiful job on the crossover board! You could market those bad boys!!!..... ><////(*>
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very nice board,,indeed.:)JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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Nice work on the board.Did you order extras?
Man, you gotta share on the boards. I hate overstuffing and stacking caps on the factory boards. Excellent job there. -
Man, you gotta share on the boards. I hate overstuffing and stacking caps on the factory boards. Excellent job there.
Agreed, looks very good!!Pio Elete Pro 520
Panamax 5400-EX
Sunfire TGP 5
Micro Seiki DD-40 - Lyra-Dorian and Denon DL-160
PS Audio GCPH phono pre
Sunfire CG 200 X 5
Sunfire CG Sig 405 X 5
OPPO BDP-83 SE
SDA SRS 1.2TL Sonicaps and Mills
Ctr CS1000p
Sur - FX1000 x 4
SUB - SVS PB2-Plus
Workkout room:
Sony Bravia XBR- 32-Inch 1080p
Onkyo TX-DS898
GFA 555
Yamaha DVD-S1800BL/SACD
Ft - SDA 1C
Not being used:
RTi 38's -4
RT55i's - 2
RT25i's -2, using other 2 in shop
LSI 15's
CSi40
PSW 404 -
Great Board! You gotta make those available to CP!!!!!
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Thank guys your making my head swell, I thought they came out better than I expected with all things considered (I'll explain later)
No I did not, I was going to but after I added up what it was going to cost for supply's it ended up being cheaper to have them made. Now I did do all the redesign layout and assembly BTW it ended up costing me just under $90.00 for both boards delivered.Nice!!!
Did you make the new boards?
I agree, That's why I decided to do it this way especially after seeing how the old hot glue had broken loose on the original crossovers and I just could not see hot gluing those 2 big 20uf caps on the upper right corner of the original board, It just didn't seem right to me and I would have worried about them breaking lose down the road.Man, you gotta share on the boards. I hate overstuffing and stacking caps on the factory boards. Excellent job there.
Now as far as making them available to CP members I can't financially do that, BUT I do have the Gerber files (These are the files that you need to submit in order to get them made) that I would be more than willing to share with anybody who want's them. But there's a caveat: These boards were designed for the SDA 1C only and for using Sonicap and Mills parts also the mounting holes were enlarged for 8-32 threaded standoffs. And one more thing I think I would need permission from Polk Audio in order to do so, There could be an issue of Patent Infringement, Intellectual Property Rights etc. Let's face it I really really don't like getting sued. But I'll try and see if I can get permission from Polk. Also I would be willing to redesign boards for the other SDA's if anybody's interested.
Now a little bit about myself, Some of you might think I'm full of BS, bragging or trying to puff myself up THAT IS MOST DEFIANTLY NOT THE CASE here. The only reason I'm letting the cat out of the bag is in the hope that it might inspire someone who didn't think they could do something like this to give it a shot.
So here it go's my little story. Back in August of 1979 I had a little screw up that involved WAY too much tequila, a 1969 Olds 442 convertible with a 455 4 speed and a 50 foot cliff. Let's just say it didn't end well (no surprise). So for the past 30 + years I've been in a wheelchair do to a spinal cord injury, I'm classified as a C-3,4,5 incomplete Quadriplegic. For those who don't know what that is here's a link that basically explains it. As far as my hand function go's I can't light a Bic lighter without using two hands I just don't have the dexterity. But you know something as strange as it might sound I consider myself lucky I'm the only one who got hurt and no one got killed. I don't know if I could have lived with myself if I ended up killing someone that night. So I guess it boils down to If I can do it anybody with a little patience and planning can.
P.S. Now you might be able to figure out what's up with my screen name. (hint remove the numbers
) “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” ~ Mark Twain -
The greater the order quantity, the cheaper the price,for the PCBs'. Get a bunch of guys together and do batch order. Does this type of modification fall under Polks Intellectual Property Rights or yours, specially for a non-current product.
That is some nice work. I am very interested in the Gerber files, maybe even get see if we can get a quantity order up for the finished PCBs'. -
As far as Polks Intellectual Property Rights & Patent's it doesn't matter if the product is current or not Polk Audio still owns those rights and seeing how my design is based off there work they could have something to say about it. If I can get an ok from Polk then were cool. As far as my rights go I claim none other than the guy who did the mod and would like to be credited for doing so.
Your right a batch order would be the way to go and probably be cheaper.“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” ~ Mark Twain -
Big Gim,
You let me know what ever I can do to help. If I can be of any service to "you" shoot me a PM and we will go from there. Just let me know brother.
Thanks for your efforts. -
Incredible looking boards and equally incredible story. Thanks for sharing both.
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Hey Gim,
Excellent job on having custom PCB made, that is the correct way to upgrade a crossover. The parts are kept separated and installation looks tidy and professional. I honestly don't believe Polk would object to custom circuit boards. From what I gather as long as you aren't building speakers and selling them as "SDA" they wouldn't care.
Check with Al and he'll let you know.
Again, great job!
Ken
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