SDA CRS+ Transformation

drselect
drselect Posts: 664
edited July 2012 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
Over Labor Day weekend I finally got a chance to finish putting back together my CRS+. So far I have completed the following mods:
-New Wood Veneer (Curly Maple and Ebony). I did the stripping of the old vinyl and had a friend do the veneering and finishing. This was the first time he did any veneering and I think the results speak for themselves.
-Dynamat
-Mortite
-JB Weld
-TFL Rings
-New Binding Posts (Cardas)
Still plan to upgrade the xo to make a switch form the RD0-194 to the RD0-198 sometime in the future. Also plan on a new interconnect. (Since Xmas is just around the corner I plan to ask Santa for an early gift.)

Attached a few picture of the transformation
Post edited by drselect on
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Comments

  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,092
    edited September 2010
    Good job. Those look really cool.
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  • fishbones
    fishbones Posts: 947
    edited September 2010
    Those are SEXY!!! 3.gif
    ..... ><////(*>
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited September 2010
    Nice work !!!!
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  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,163
    edited September 2010
    BEAUTIFUL..!!

    The light color wood seems to bring them up to date. People would never guess they were 24 yrs. old now.;)
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
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  • drselect
    drselect Posts: 664
    edited September 2010
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    Nice work !!!!

    Thanks Leroyjr1 couldn't have done it with out your help.
    anonymouse wrote: »
    It may just be a bad pic, but it looks like that bottom bar under the grille has been installed upside down. The flat side needs to be up to match the grill.

    I just did the same thing with mine in walnut veneer and gave them the treatments as well. They look and sound awesome.

    Was so impressed with the veneer work didn't catch the trim being upside down until I got them home. The trim is glued on very good and now that I got them back together and have the chance to listen to them I don't know how soon I want to give them up again.
    Also thanks for your posting of your work it was one of the first ones I came across that made me want mod a pair of CRS+.
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited September 2010
    Excellent work.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited September 2010
    Very nice work...!
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,304
    edited September 2010
    WOW!!! Beautiful work!!!!
    Polk Audio SDA 2.3tl Fully Hot Rodded. 😎

    SVS SB16 X2

    Cary SLP-05/Ultimate Upgrade.
    Cary SA-500.1 ES Amps
    Cary DMS 800PV Network
    OPPO UDP 205/ModWright Modification
    VPI Scout TT / Dynavector 20x2
    Jolida JD9 Fully Modified

    VPI MW-1 Cyclone RCM

    MIT Shotgun 3 cables throughout / Except TT, and PC’s
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  • TrashyTrucker
    TrashyTrucker Posts: 225
    edited September 2010
    Beautiful transformation!
    Q: On the back plate (for the binding post) I seen you used mortite and different bolts/screws? Is there a ring for that as well? Does Larry make rings for the plate that I wasnt aware of? Makes perfect sense if so. :D

    Matt
    Integra DTR 50.2 used as a preamp
    Rotel RCD 1520 cdp
    AudioQuest Jaguar 72v dbs ic's
    AudioQuest type 8 wire
    biamped to:
    2-Hafler 9500 trans nova's
    AudioQuest NRG-3 power cable's
    dedicated AC line for
    Tesla Plex 20a duplex receptacle
    Panamax Max 7500 pro surge/line conditioner
    SDA SRS 3.1 TL's modded...
    spikes, rdo's, rings, dynamat, sonicaps, mills & aeon
    Panasonic Viera G20 50" plasma


    ...SDA's are just like candy for your ears...
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  • drselect
    drselect Posts: 664
    edited September 2010
    TrashyTrucker wrote: »
    Beautiful transformation!
    Q: On the back plate (for the binding post) I seen you used mortite and different bolts/screws? Is there a ring for that as well? Does Larry make rings for the plate that I wasnt aware of? Makes perfect sense if so. :D

    Matt

    Matt I don't know if Larry makes a ring for the binding post plate. It would have really been nice to have since I know I will have to pull those plates again. And the ones he made for everything else were great. But instead I used what is in the picture below and what was discussed in the below link.
    I pinched back the barbs, drilled out the holes and hot glued them in place. The stick out a little in the opening but do not interfere with anything on the plate. I made the mistake of getting the same length of bolt that came with Larrys' rings but they were two short by about a 1/4". I sprayed the bolts black like DQ did before I installed. I got the all of the parts at a local ACE Hardware because they are less expensive then Home Depot when it comes to nuts & bolts
    The bolts were a #8 (1 1/4) and the "tee nuts" were 8-32


    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=104924&highlight=rings
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  • TrashyTrucker
    TrashyTrucker Posts: 225
    edited September 2010
    drselect wrote: »
    ...I pinched back the barbs, drilled out the holes and hot glued them in place. The stick out a little in the opening but do not interfere with anything on the plate. I made the mistake of getting the same length of bolt that came with Larrys' rings but they were two short by about a 1/4". I sprayed the bolts black like DQ did before I installed. I got the all of the parts at a local ACE Hardware because they are less expensive then Home Depot when it comes to nuts & bolts
    The bolts were a #8 (1 1/4) and the "tee nuts" were 8-32...



    drselect,
    Thanks for that info and the additional link with info. I too had an idea, check back on the link again. I too added a question to the link.

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/show...ighlight=rings


    regards,
    Matt
    Integra DTR 50.2 used as a preamp
    Rotel RCD 1520 cdp
    AudioQuest Jaguar 72v dbs ic's
    AudioQuest type 8 wire
    biamped to:
    2-Hafler 9500 trans nova's
    AudioQuest NRG-3 power cable's
    dedicated AC line for
    Tesla Plex 20a duplex receptacle
    Panamax Max 7500 pro surge/line conditioner
    SDA SRS 3.1 TL's modded...
    spikes, rdo's, rings, dynamat, sonicaps, mills & aeon
    Panasonic Viera G20 50" plasma


    ...SDA's are just like candy for your ears...
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  • codyc1ark
    codyc1ark Posts: 2,532
    edited September 2010
    Very nice! I love how you changed your color of your veneer, racing stripes! I hear they add any where between 2-4 DB! Nice job!!
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,593
    edited September 2010
    Really nice customization. Makes me quite jealous :)
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • drselect
    drselect Posts: 664
    edited September 2010
    codyc1ark wrote: »
    I love how you changed your color of your veneer, racing stripes! I hear they add any where between 2-4 DB!

    Actually it measures 4.2 DB. I only got 1.8 with one strip and less than 1 when I used walnut instead of ebony.:D:D:D

    The best part about them is the WAF is off the chart.
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  • DarqueKnight
    DarqueKnight Posts: 6,765
    edited September 2010
    Great mod job...inside and out!!!
    Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country!
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  • drselect
    drselect Posts: 664
    edited September 2010
    DarqueKnight wrote: »
    Great mod job...inside and out!!!

    Thanks DarqueKnight. I noticed that in a previous post that I inadvertently and inexcusably referred to you as DQ instead of DK. I am sorry DarqueKnight I meant no disrespect. I was trying to reference this thread (http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=104384) where you painted the washers and it gave me the idea to spray paint the bolts I had gotten which were more bronze than black. I have found your threads on the updates to your SDA’s very insightful, thorough, and helpful. And they played a large role in making the transformation of my CRS+ so successful. Thanks again.
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  • messiah
    messiah Posts: 1,790
    edited September 2010
    Nice job man, absolutely beautiful!
    "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
    Benjamin Franklin, February 17th, 1775.

    "The day that I have to give up my constitutional rights AND let some dude rub my junk...well, let's just say that it's gonna be a real bad day for the dude trying to rub my junk!!"
    messiah, November 23rd, 2010
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  • Valentine
    Valentine Posts: 46
    edited September 2010
    Those are gorgeous
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited September 2010
    sweet :)
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • IrishNiner
    IrishNiner Posts: 116
    edited September 2010
    Wow! Those are really stunning. Great job!
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  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,649
    edited September 2010
    Nice,I like the look of curly Maple.
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  • WastelandWand'r
    WastelandWand'r Posts: 466
    edited September 2010
    Great job! They look fantastic and I am envious.
    Nathan
    Home Rig

    SDA 2.3TL's front and center
    Polk 1000p Center
    Pioneer Elite SC35 Receiver (Pre/Surround
    Sunfire Cinema Grand 5X200-Back in the mix.
    OPPO BDP-93
    Squeezebox
    Stepped up to name brand Speaker Cables and interconnects!
    Monitor 4, 5, 7, 10's, SDA 1B's, 2B's, 2.3TL's, RTA 15TL's all in storage waiting for me.
    Sales Rating #1!!
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  • drselect
    drselect Posts: 664
    edited December 2010
    Was able to get the crossovers upgraded and the RD0-198's installed this past weekend. Burning them in with the aid of "The Commander" tube amp. Cant' wait for the new DAC to get here and maybe a few new tubes.

    As far as how it sounds.... Sweeet....

    Thanks for all for your help whether replying directly to my questions or the many other post and threads that have helped me down the rabbit hole. My wallet hates you all but me ears can't thank you enough.

    drselect
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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited April 2011
    Fantastic! Can't wait to get rolling on the same project!
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited July 2012
    Digging up this thread again - drselect, did you ever do the XO's and the binding posts? Any plans to do the inductors?
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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  • drselect
    drselect Posts: 664
    edited July 2012
    nspindel wrote: »
    Digging up this thread again - drselect, did you ever do the XO's and the binding posts? Any plans to do the inductors?
    Kinda of, I replaced the caps on the XO's so I could go to the RDO-198. I had completed the work before the development of the custom boards by gimpod. I replaced the binding posts but did not replace the interconnect cable connection. At the time I was still using the original cable but have since updated to one of ben's costume silver cables. I have some of brgman gaskets but have note installed them yet because I have thought about the inductor upgrade and the AI-1 Dreadnought so I was waiting to install them if I did those upgrades. For now I am in a holding pattern because I am currently thinking I would have more improvement to my system with an upgrade to my tube amp and/or DAC .
    I have been following your posts on your project. Keep working at it because its well worth it.
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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited July 2012
    How did you remove the quarter round strip?
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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  • drselect
    drselect Posts: 664
    edited July 2012
    nspindel wrote: »
    How did you remove the quarter round strip?
    I started with a utility knife to score it then I used a putty knife to slowly pry it loose. Mine wasn't on very well. But now it is glued very well and I am not sure I could get it off with out destroying it which is why they are still on upside down. Also even though I was able to get mine of without destroying it I had new ones made out of solid maple. We couldn't think of a way to easily veneer the old ones.
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