Sonic Frontiers Power 2 not common ground

Big Dawg

I've been lusting after a nice tube amp for a while, and finally settled on a Sonic Frontiers Power 2. I assumed that it was common ground, since it's Anthem cousin The Amp 1 is. Unfortunately, I didn't ask the question until after I paid the deposit. Turns out that the SFP2 is not common ground, according to none other than Chris Johnson himself.

I currently have a pair of SDA SRS2s from 1986, which are blade-blade and thus not able to use the AI-1 cable. So, here are my questions:

1) can I "strap" the negative terminals (and does that mean that I still run speaker wire from the negative terminals, but also jumper them)?

2) is there a way to modify the cross-overs for AI-1?

3) should I bail on the SFP2 (at the risk of losing my modest deposit)?

4) should I sell the Polks and move on (don't want to do this one)?

Thanks!

Joe08867

I would bail on the SFP2. Better to loose a little deposit over having the amp go poof.

RuSsMaN

Dont bail on anything. Set up the amp with something else.

Big Dawg

Joe08867 wrote: »

I would bail on the SFP2. Better to loose a little deposit over having the amp go poof.

If I buy it, I certainly won't connect it to the SDAs without applying good advice from Chris Johnson and the amp's designer Mike Kerster, with whom I have an appointment to speak this Monday morning. What is the best way to describe the common ground requirement?

RuSsMaN wrote: »

Dont bail on anything. Set up the amp with something else.

Russ, I would LOVE to do just that. only problem is, I don't have an unlimited budget nor an infinitely tolerant SO. If I set up the amp, it will be on my main rig, which means the SDAs will have to go. I wish it were otherwise, but I can't have everything all the time.

So, I'm still back at my original questions, plus a request for a succinct explanation of the need for common ground.

One other question: I've bought the electronics to TL the SRS2s. I've read that, although complicated, the crossovers CAN be modified to allow the AI-1. Is this true? If so, what's involved? It would seem that this would solve my problem most neatly. Thoughts?

tonyb

RuSsMaN wrote: »

Dont bail on anything. Set up the amp with something else.

Agreed.
Had that very amp along time ago. A quality piece for sure. It would make me consider moving the SDA's out and something else in. If the amp is in top notch condition that is, it's definately a keeper.

Big Dawg

tonyb wrote: »

Agreed.
Had that very amp along time ago. A quality piece for sure. It would make me consider moving the SDA's out and something else in. If the amp is in top notch condition that is, it's definately a keeper.

the amp is in mint, nearly new condition selling at a fair price. I think I'm going to have to complete the purchase. The SDAs, which I love, are in limbo.....

tonyb

Dude, that is one nice amp. If your afraid to let the SDA's go, let me tell you from experience, I've had plenty of SDA's, including a full SRT system, while all were very good speakers in their own right, there is plenty of fish in the sea my man that will do you justice.