Polk A-1 cable may have cause some problems

PolkClyde
PolkClyde Posts: 662
edited March 2011 in Troubleshooting
It may not be The A-1 cable.I connected it to my polks SDA's and heard a loud static sound.Immediately,I shut the amps down,don't know why that happen. Now,No sound from the left channel. I need to purchase a back up Power Amp.Good Lord,help me Somebody.
PolkAudioClyde
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited March 2011
    Was the amp common ground? What amp was it?
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • PolkClyde
    PolkClyde Posts: 662
    edited March 2011
    ben62670 wrote: »
    Was the amp common ground? What amp was it?

    A Carver Mono Block amp.I thought that the A-1 Cable are for Amps that's not common ground.
    PolkAudioClyde
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,552
    edited March 2011
    Is it a real Polk AI-1 or something else?
    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

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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited March 2011
    Is it actually an A1 transformer, or just an SDA IC?
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • PolkClyde
    PolkClyde Posts: 662
    edited March 2011
    ben62670 wrote: »
    Is it actually an A1 transformer, or just an SDA IC?

    it's SDA IC with manual from a polk club member.It says to check the serial number on the back of the speaker to see if it is compatible with that speaker. I'm going to check the left mono bloc again when I get from work.With prayer things will be okay.I still need to get a back up power amp. I'm looking at carver TFM 35.What you do you think,ben.
    PolkAudioClyde
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  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,501
    edited March 2011
    I hope it works out. With the AI-1 interface, it seems everything should have been OK.

    For clarification, the AI-1 interface and a standard SDA interconnect are pictured below, but if your cable has a manual specifying serial numbers, that certainly sounds like you have the AI-1 which is what you would need with monoblocks.
    VTL ST50 w/mods / RCA6L6GC / TlfnknECC801S
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  • PolkClyde
    PolkClyde Posts: 662
    edited March 2011
    F1nut wrote: »
    Is it a real Polk AI-1 or something else?

    Jes, Remember the guy you told me that had a Real Polk AI-1.. I got it from him.I have it in my hands now and it says, Polkaudio SDA Non-common Ground Amplifier Interface. but thank God,the left mono bloc these to be okay.it appears to have been a loose speaker connection. but I'm not going to hook the AI back up until I hear from you guys...I thought I had damage my Amps. right now,F1nut, I have a wire connect to both of the negative post of my amps like before.thanks
    PolkAudioClyde
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  • PolkClyde
    PolkClyde Posts: 662
    edited March 2011
    inspiredsports wrote: »
    I hope it works out. With the AI-1 interface, it seems everything should have been OK.

    For clarification, the AI-1 interface and a standard SDA interconnect are pictured below, but if your cable has a manual specifying serial numbers, that certainly sounds like you have the AI-1 which is what you would need with monoblocks.

    That's it,the AI-1 Interface.Amps are playing fine now.Not going to re-connect the Interface until Reeltrouble1, come over and take a look.I don't want to sound cheap or like I'm complaining,but I have spent over $6,000 this pass month on Audio hardware.Not ready to spend more on repairs.but,like I said in another post, I do need a back up Power Amp.Any thoughts guys,on the used market?
    PolkAudioClyde
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  • PolkClyde
    PolkClyde Posts: 662
    edited March 2011
    I was so angry at myself, I started to buy the Carver amp from e-bay tfm35,something like that.I hope it's okay to say e-bay in this thread..if I violated any rules,I apologize in advance. I'm still sorta a newbie here. When will I be considered a non-newbie.. at 500 post?
    PolkAudioClyde
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  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,501
    edited March 2011
    PolkClyde wrote: »
    I was so angry at myself, I started to buy the Carver amp from e-bay tfm35,something like that.I hope it's okay to say e-bay in this thread..if I violated any rules,I apologize in advance. I'm still sorta a newbie here. When will I be considered a non-newbie.. at 500 post?

    When you stop blowing up your gear :biggrin:

    I don't know the whole back story, but there is very little that could go wrong with the AI-1 so it sounds like you might have just had a bad connection. Letting RT1 have a peek if he is willing is a great idea. You can run without any Interconnect with no problem until you sort it out.

    By the way, you can mention eBay anytime you want. If CP ever censored that half the threads would disappear. Just be careful if you ever write that you "hear" a difference in anything, that's the fire starter. :wink:
    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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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited March 2011
    PolkClyde wrote: »
    Jes, Remember the guy you told me that had a Real Polk AI-1.. I got it from him.I have it in my hands now and it says, Polkaudio SDA Non-common Ground Amplifier Interface. but thank God,the left mono bloc these to be okay.it appears to have been a loose speaker connection. but I'm not going to hook the AI back up until I hear from you guys...I thought I had damage my Amps. right now,F1nut, I have a wire connect to both of the negative post of my amps like before.thanks

    You do realize not all SDA's can use the AI-1? What Sda model do you have? I forget, but IIRC you have SRS's and you can't use the AI-1 with those.
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • PolkClyde
    PolkClyde Posts: 662
    edited March 2011
    inspiredsports wrote: »
    When you stop blowing up your gear :biggrin:

    I don't know the whole back story, but there is very little that could go wrong with the AI-1 so it sounds like you might have just had a bad connection. Letting RT1 have a peek if he is willing is a great idea. You can run without any Interconnect with no problem until you sort it out.

    By the way, you can mention eBay anytime you want. If CP ever censored that half the threads would disappear. Just be careful if you ever write that you "hear" a difference in anything, that's the fire starter. :wink:

    Whew,inspiredsports,I thought I did. I have the original interconnect cable, that came with the speakers.Someone here at CP,said that it will sound better with the AI-1 CABLE.
    PolkAudioClyde
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  • PolkClyde
    PolkClyde Posts: 662
    edited March 2011
    heiney9 wrote: »
    You do realize not all SDA's can use the AI-1? What Sda model do you have? I forget, but IIRC you have SRS's and you can't use the AI-1 with those.

    I'm not going to hook it back up,already blown a driver.Hey,do anyone know what driver I need? The lable on the back,is missing. The speakers are the SDA SRS. It's the Left speaker,right driver.
    PolkAudioClyde
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited March 2011
    NM.........got my answer.

    You can't use an AI-1 with SRS's. That was your problem.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited March 2011
    Also I wouldn't use mono amps if you have the standard interconnect cable. I know a few members (madmax comes to mind) used mono's with SDA SRS's and never had a real issue, but he's about the only one as the CP has many threads on issues with using mono amps with SDA's.

    You can't use mono amps with SDA's if you have the regular interconnect in place......bad things will happen. Unfortuneatly, earlier SDA's like the SRS's can't use the AI-1 so mono's are pretty much not an option.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,240
    edited March 2011
    The SRS's have a B/B I don't think they made a AI-1 with B/B.. I could be wrong I guess.. As stated you can't use that cable..
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited March 2011
    TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »
    The SRS's have a B/B I don't think they made a AI-1 with B/B.. I could be wrong I guess.. As stated you can't use that cable..

    Even if you added a B/B to the ends of an AI-1 the x-overs on the older SDA's are different and it still wouldn't work.

    There are certain serial # 2B's and 1C's that can use the AI-1 all TL models can use the AI-1 and IIRC, 1.2's and 2.3's (non-TL) can use the AI-1. Also the 1987 version of the SRS2's can use the AI-1.

    Some of the above is from pure memory since I don't have the compendium in front of me.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,552
    edited March 2011
    PolkClyde wrote: »
    The speakers are the SDA SRS.

    For my own curiosity, how did you get a pin/blade AI-1 into a blade/blade connection???
    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

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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited March 2011
    heiney9 wrote: »
    Also I wouldn't use mono amps if you have the standard interconnect cable. I know a few members (madmax comes to mind) used mono's with SDA SRS's and never had a real issue, but he's about the only one as the CP has many threads on issues with using mono amps with SDA's.

    You can't use mono amps with SDA's if you have the regular interconnect in place......bad things will happen. Unfortuneatly, earlier SDA's like the SRS's can't use the AI-1 so mono's are pretty much not an option.

    H9

    Some amps like my GFA-565's can be strapped with the grounds of the amps tied together. This is something that you don't just try. You need to find out if it will work with your amps.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • megasat16
    megasat16 Posts: 3,521
    edited March 2011
    Oh well, some guys can definitely fit square peg into the round holes.

    It's called Genius!
    Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin:
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  • PolkClyde
    PolkClyde Posts: 662
    edited March 2011
    heiney9 wrote: »
    Also I wouldn't use mono amps if you have the standard interconnect cable. I know a few members (madmax comes to mind) used mono's with SDA SRS's and never had a real issue, but he's about the only one as the CP has many threads on issues with using mono amps with SDA's.

    You can't use mono amps with SDA's if you have the regular interconnect in place......bad things will happen. Unfortuneatly, earlier SDA's like the SRS's can't use the AI-1 so mono's are pretty much not an option.

    H9

    Well heiney9,I'm Blessed. I have been using mono amps,The carver silver 7t mono amps,to be exact,since 1990,without any real issues.The Sales person at Sound Advice told me to tie or connect,with a wire, the negative,to negative post together,and everything would be fine,he was right,no problems.The Problems is with me,most of the time.What happen yesterday is the left mono bloc amp wire came loose.then, I thought the AI-1 cable damage my Amp,thank God it didn't.I have a connection going from my Amps to my PSW,505 subwoofer and my main speakers connected to the PSW's output. The oppo 95 sounds so sweet,even before break-in.
    PolkAudioClyde
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  • PolkClyde
    PolkClyde Posts: 662
    edited March 2011
    TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »
    The SRS's have a B/B I don't think they made a AI-1 with B/B.. I could be wrong I guess.. As stated you can't use that cable..

    Well,since I can't use it,I need to send it back to a Polk Club member.
    PolkAudioClyde
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  • PolkClyde
    PolkClyde Posts: 662
    edited March 2011
    heiney9 wrote: »
    Even if you added a B/B to the ends of an AI-1 the x-overs on the older SDA's are different and it still wouldn't work.

    There are certain serial # 2B's and 1C's that can use the AI-1 all TL models can use the AI-1 and IIRC, 1.2's and 2.3's (non-TL) can use the AI-1. Also the 1987 version of the SRS2's can use the AI-1.

    Some of the above is from pure memory since I don't have the compendium in front of me.

    H9

    I thought I had the 1.2's..on the back of the speakers it says... SDA -SRS,I guess that's not the 1.2's after all. I bought them in 1988.
    PolkAudioClyde
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  • PolkClyde
    PolkClyde Posts: 662
    edited March 2011
    F1nut wrote: »
    For my own curiosity, how did you get a pin/blade AI-1 into a blade/blade connection???

    No, it's a Pin/blade connection..I will post pictures tomorrow to prove it.
    PolkAudioClyde
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited March 2011
    Then they are not SDA-SRS's. You have 1.2's non TL.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,501
    edited March 2011
    heiney9 wrote: »
    NM.........got my answer.

    You can't use an AI-1 with SRS's. That was your problem.

    H9

    Good catch, H9. But now it seems we don't know what they are for sure. OP needs to consult the model/serial number portion of his AI-1 manual.
    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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  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,151
    edited March 2011
    ben62670 wrote: »
    Then they are not SDA-SRS's. You have 1.2's non TL.

    Hi Ben.

    So the big guys 1.2 use 12" passives ,hince they are not srs's.?

    I thought all big guys were srs's.

    The SDA1.2TL must use the 12" I guess.
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited March 2011
    They all use 15" PR's.
    There are 3 big boys, and yes they are all SRS(signature reference series)
    SDS-SRS
    SDA-SRS 1.2
    SRS-1.2TL
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,552
    edited March 2011
    The following big boys also use 15" PR's.
    SRS2
    SDA SRS 2.3
    SDA SRS 2.3TL
    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

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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,240
    edited March 2011
    Question????

    You say your running mono blocks "right?" before you had the AI-1 SDA IC, did you have these amps strapped?? if so when you hooked up the AI-1 SDA IC did you unstrap them??

    If you have the 1.2's, and I'm guessing you do then the AI-1 cable should work.
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