SDA II's from 1985

jagster
jagster Posts: 13
edited November 2010 in Vintage Speakers
OK, and I know I'll get some heck from not searching, but I had SDA-1's for a while, but these came up. They are SDA II's with three mids and two tweets, and I am finding out that these speakers went through a few iterations over time.
Simple question: The tweets are silver-looking domes, and if memory serves, the other Polks I had carried the black domes. Was this an upgrade?
I'd like to play with this pair, and need some advice on where to start. One of the banana plug connectors is broken off, and saw in one thread that some people changed them out too... I am pretty handy with a soldering iron, and if I get some good advice on mods. I will try some of them. After all, this IS a hobby. PM me if you have some good advice, or just respond on forum. MY Email: jagster911@bellsouth.net Thanks in advance. ron
Post edited by jagster on
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  • halo71
    halo71 Posts: 4,603
    edited November 2010
    Ya know this is just an observation on my part. So sorry to sound like a smartass. But you don't wanna take the time to search the VAST amount of threads on this site about this subject you seek information on. But yet expect or want someone to take the time to email it to you instead? :confused:
    --Gary--
    Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out.
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited November 2010
    Vampire BP Hex
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited November 2010
    The one or two emails or responses you may get here will not contian 1/1000th of the info on mods you can find by searching the forum. There are extensive threads containing pics and step-by-step procedeure for every conceivable vintage Polk/SDA mod. You will not ge that kind of in depth info through a personal email. Good luck with the search, and please let use know if there's something you can't find. Cheers!: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
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  • heavy rooster
    heavy rooster Posts: 4
    edited November 2010
    I cant work out how to post on this site just reply to posts

    Have a set of SDA CRS need to replace tweeter

    SL2000 tweeter

    purchased speakers in 1994
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited November 2010
    Today, 12:46 AM #5
    heavy rooster


    Just click on the blue box that say's "post new thread":smile:
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited November 2010
    george daniel wrote: »
    Vampire BP Hex

    Agreed. They are plug and play binders.
    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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  • helipilotdoug
    helipilotdoug Posts: 1,229
    edited November 2010
    dorokusai wrote: »
    Agreed. They are plug and play binders.

    I installed a set of the Vampire BPHEX/CB binders on my 2B's and did have to enlarge the holes just a tad for them to fit. I'll also be installing another set on my SRS 2's soon. They are some FINE binding posts. Highly recommend them.
    Sunfire Theater Grand IV
    Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature
    SRS 2.1TL
    SDA 2BTL's
    CSiA6
    FXiA4
    FXiA6
    SDA 2A's
    Monitor 10A's
    http://www.douglasconnection.com
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited November 2010
    I've used BPHEX on over a dozen+ SDA's...guess you never know what you'll find. The rear plates weren't known for being rocket style tolerances for sure.

    I would never install BPHEX/CB binders, so I can't comment on them in particular....but they're nice looking. Hopefully you meant BPHEX/CE as they do require a little wiggle room.
    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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  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,501
    edited November 2010
    Replace the terminals with Cardas CCGR Binding Posts from Sonic Craft

    http://www.soniccraft.com/products/connections/bindingpost/cardas_ccgr.htm

    While you are on soniccraft.com, grab yourself some Sonicaps and Mills Resistors for the crossover upgrade.

    New tweeters can be purchased directly from Polk by calling Customer Service, phone number found on this site.

    Buy some decent wire to replace the Interconnect cable and about $500 later your 2's will be state of the art, maybe a bit phasy sounding, but state of the art.
    VTL ST50 w/mods / RCA6L6GC / TlfnknECC801S
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 w/mods
    TT Conrad Johnson Sonographe SG3 Oak / Sumiko LMT / Grado Woodbody Platinum / Sumiko PIB2 / The Clamp
    Musical Fidelity A1 CDPro/ Bada DD-22 Tube CDP / Conrad Johnson SD-22 CDP
    Tuners w/mods Kenwood KT5020 / Fisher KM60
    MF x-DAC V8, HAInfo NG27
    Herbies Ti-9 / Vibrapods / MIT Shotgun AC1 IEC's / MIT Shotgun 2 IC's / MIT Shotgun 2 Speaker Cables
    PS Audio Cryo / PowerPort Premium Outlets / Exact Power EP15A Conditioner
    Walnut SDA 2B TL /Oak SDA SRS II TL (Sonicaps/Mills/Cardas/Custom SDA ICs / Dynamat Extreme / Larry's Rings/ FSB-2 Spikes
    NAD SS rigs w/mods
    GIK panels
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited November 2010
    What is the difference between one set of high quality binders and another? Cardas sounds no different than Vampire Wire.....or WBT for that matter.

    Phasy sounding? I think you're starting to sound that way.
    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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  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,501
    edited November 2010
    dorokusai wrote: »
    What is the difference between one set of high quality binders and another? Cardas sounds no different than Vampire Wire.....or WBT for that matter.

    Cardas makes cool little myrtle wood blocks with their logo on them :wink:

    In my humble opinion, original SDA 2's sound a bit "phasy" with their horizontally oriented tweeters, but I do understand some owners are attached to them and that is fine.
    VTL ST50 w/mods / RCA6L6GC / TlfnknECC801S
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 w/mods
    TT Conrad Johnson Sonographe SG3 Oak / Sumiko LMT / Grado Woodbody Platinum / Sumiko PIB2 / The Clamp
    Musical Fidelity A1 CDPro/ Bada DD-22 Tube CDP / Conrad Johnson SD-22 CDP
    Tuners w/mods Kenwood KT5020 / Fisher KM60
    MF x-DAC V8, HAInfo NG27
    Herbies Ti-9 / Vibrapods / MIT Shotgun AC1 IEC's / MIT Shotgun 2 IC's / MIT Shotgun 2 Speaker Cables
    PS Audio Cryo / PowerPort Premium Outlets / Exact Power EP15A Conditioner
    Walnut SDA 2B TL /Oak SDA SRS II TL (Sonicaps/Mills/Cardas/Custom SDA ICs / Dynamat Extreme / Larry's Rings/ FSB-2 Spikes
    NAD SS rigs w/mods
    GIK panels
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited November 2010
    OHHHHH, now I know what you're referring to. Phasey is some weird word F1Nut gigged up but it's about the best way to describe them. They can sometimes, not always, sound....odd in regards to the SDA effect.

    As far as binders, it just depends on what model you're looking for and where you buy them. I agree in that case, buy a good pair of either brand.

    I get ya' now Inspired :biggrin:
    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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  • jagster
    jagster Posts: 13
    edited November 2010
    I have searched, and spent a few hours already. I need the manual for the schematics and some advice on how to go about getting an owner's manual. Since Polk no longer has any, I was hoping some good samaritan would step up. Obviously I was wrong with this group. All the other speaker groups are much more friendly and helpful. Yes, I subscribe to a ton of them, as I have a great many speaker brands and enjoy modding them, and listening. Sorry to have bothered you. ron
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  • Rev. Hayes
    Rev. Hayes Posts: 475
    edited November 2010
    There are schematics listed in the main menu of the "vintage speakers" section.

    THey are a sticky at the top of the list and you will find your speakers there.
    Sounds good to me...
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  • Rev. Hayes
    Rev. Hayes Posts: 475
    edited November 2010
    Here....

    Click this and scroll down.

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55888
    Sounds good to me...
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  • halo71
    halo71 Posts: 4,603
    edited November 2010
    Scroll down to post 21. :biggrin:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87662&highlight=download+manual
    --Gary--
    Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out.
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited November 2010
    jagster wrote: »
    I have searched, and spent a few hours already. I need the manual for the schematics and some advice on how to go about getting an owner's manual. Since Polk no longer has any, I was hoping some good samaritan would step up. Obviously I was wrong with this group. All the other speaker groups are much more friendly and helpful. Yes, I subscribe to a ton of them, as I have a great many speaker brands and enjoy modding them, and listening. Sorry to have bothered you. ron

    Don't let the screen door hit ya where the Good Lord split ya.:rolleyes:
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  • helipilotdoug
    helipilotdoug Posts: 1,229
    edited November 2010
    dorokusai wrote: »
    I've used BPHEX on over a dozen+ SDA's...guess you never know what you'll find. The rear plates weren't known for being rocket style tolerances for sure.

    I would never install BPHEX/CB binders, so I can't comment on them in particular....but they're nice looking. Hopefully you meant BPHEX/CE as they do require a little wiggle room.

    No, I installed the BPHEX/CB (Copper Body) binders. It could be they have a somewhat larger threaded shank than the other model. IDK? Anyway, when I installed them I had to enlarge the holes a little to get them to insert. Don't remember what size bit it took, but in the end they fit nice and snug.
    Sunfire Theater Grand IV
    Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature
    SRS 2.1TL
    SDA 2BTL's
    CSiA6
    FXiA4
    FXiA6
    SDA 2A's
    Monitor 10A's
    http://www.douglasconnection.com
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