Vintage Polk Audio Speaker Selection for a Vintage Stereo Setup

Mikeer2002ph

Hello there everyone!

I am mikee, a purveyor of stereo sound and equipment.

Anyway I already have my primary stereo setup which is the following - Polk RTiA3 Bookshelves, Harman/Kardon HK3470 Stereo Receiver (120Wx2), Klipsch RW10 Subs (used sparingly during parties) and a Samsung DVD-C350 DVD player downgraded to a MP3/WMA/DVD-A/CD Audio player


Anyway,

I recently had this vintage theme in mind as a secondary setup so I started with an amp - a Marantz PM-45 Stereo Integrated Amp (45Wx2) - a What!HiFi 5 star winner and stereo amp of the year circa 1988

Now obviously since the theme is vintage, current models are out of the question.

Since i'm from Manila, Philippines, vintage equipment/speaker listing on the internet is either priced too exorbitant or availability is non-existent.

Hence the solution is going back to basics - hunt down the purveyors of stereo equipment on foot / audiophile specialty shops / word of mouth or through the local audiophile internet group (thanks pinoydvd.com)


I found some interesting internet finds though for a speaker that may fit the bill.

1. Polk Audio RTi 4 http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/recent/rti4/ - someone in one of the local forums is selling a used (2nd hand) but mint pair for PhP 6000 (approximately US$138) - I have not physically seen this unit but only through the pictures online.

2. Polk Audio RTi 28 http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/recent/rti28/ - a local shop is selling this old stock but basically a display (unused - complete with box manual) model for PhP 11500 (approximately US$265) - I have physically gone to the shop, seen it personally and its basically just dusty because it was in the shelf for x number of years.

3. Polk Audio SDA-CRS

- someone in one of the local forums is selling a used (2nd hand) but mint pair for PhP 8500 (approximately US$195) - I have not physically seen this unit but only through the pictures online.

Now the question is, which pair is worth spending on?

Also, does Polk still have stock/supplies of the bass-mid / passive radiator / tweeter / interconnect cable for the SDA-CRS just in case the unit already sustained damage?

Thank you and hope to hear a response from any kind souls

-Mikee-

EndersShadow

Mikeer2002ph wrote: »

Polk Audio SDA-CRS

- someone in one of the local forums is selling a used (2nd hand) but mint pair for PhP 8500 (approximately US$195) - I have not physically seen this unit but only through the pictures online.

Personally if your going for vintage, the SDA CRS's are where its at IMHO. You can upgrade the crossovers as many members have done here in the states and make them sound MUCH bigger than they are.

Mikeer2002ph wrote: »

Also, does Polk still have stock/supplies of the bass-mid / passive radiator / tweeter / interconnect cable for the SDA-CRS just in case the unit already sustained damage?

Polk might stock some of those parts. I know you can make your own interconnect cable and there are threads on how to do this on the forum. Also if Polk doesnt have some of the needed parts, there might be a person or two on the forum willing to sell/ship the parts (we have a bunch of part hoarders here :eek:)

Mikeer2002ph

Thanks EndersShadow. Since the seller of that SDA-CRS is a short skip and hop away from my place, I might as well go and take pictures of the speaker pairs, and visually/physically judge if its worth the trouble and worth forking out 8500 clams

EndersShadow

Mikeer2002ph wrote: »

Thanks EndersShadow. Since the seller of that SDA-CRS is a short skip and hop away from my place, I might as well go and take pictures of the speaker pairs, and visually/physically judge if its worth the trouble and worth forking out 8500 clams

Thats a GREAT idea. Wait a bit for some others to chime in. There are a couple tests you can do to determine if their might be some issues with them (has something to do with pushing in on a woofer and seeing how long it takes the passives to return to their original position, but I forget the particulars)

Joe08867

I would say get the CRS's. They are priced very well if all the parts are there and especially with the stands. They look to be in good shape according to the pictures, but if you could hear them you would be better off.

Loud & Clear

The CRS+ are fantastic for stereo listening and that pair appears to come with the matching stands. The RTi speakers aren't in the same ballpark in terms of stereo/music speakers. My advice would be would be to take those CRS+ speakers from that purveyor.

cnh

Welcome to Club Polk!

CRS+ real Vintage Polk, you'll like it. And though the HK receiver is OK. I have one. The integrated you have in mind will give you deeper/stronger sound.

I'm assuming that that Marantz can drive a 4 ohm load at greater than 45 watts? Right. Because you might want to consider a little more power.

Good Luck!

Mikeer2002ph

Well the PM-45 is rated conservatively at 45W at 8ohms or 60W at 4ohms.

Paltry then again this amp was a bit of an afterthought.

Anyway

I can bring the amp to the seller's place and audition the amp there since again, its just a short 5 minute drive away

I'm supposing the CRS are 90dB efficient? unless im seeing a different spec sheet, I'll collate the data/pictures when I get to audition the speaker.

Loud & Clear

I'd be surprised if that integrated amp couldn't handle a pair of 6 ohm speakers.

Mikeer2002ph

Loud & Clear wrote: »

I'd be surprised if that stereo receiver couldn't handle a pair of 6 ohm speakers.

Oh, the HK3470 sat well with an LSi9 (4ohm) which i'm actually torn to acquire too .. so its either to upgrade my primary (retire the RTiA3 and use the LSi9s), and/or sell off the RTiA3s to get the SDA-CRS if I want my cake and eat it too.

By the way, the RTiA3s sat well with the Marantz amp. punchy actually probably because of the loudness circuit which the HK3470 doesnt have

CNWDI

Mikee, I'd jump on those SDA-CRS+ with stands for ~$200...in the RP/P.I. or anywhere. Back in college when I got my 1986-vintage pair I couldn't afford an amp of similar quality and used to power them off a low-end Pioneer receiver which claimed 60W/channel...and they sounded pretty good. They sounded even better with 100W/channel of Adcom a few years later, unsurprisingly. Recent contact with Polk customer service implies that you can probably find replacements for any drivers/tweeters that are damaged, as well as the interconnect cable--but specifics will depend on exactly what vintage yours turn out to be. Regardless, Good Luck!

Mikeer2002ph

ok ok .. i get the message .. ill definitely need to get my @ss at that seller's place.

Toolfan66

CRS+ all day long!!!

Joe08867

Boy this decision is very one sided!!!!

Mikeer2002ph

Joe08867 wrote: »

Boy this decision is very one sided!!!!

It makes sense though, the CRS+ is the only big bookshelf in the selection, also the oldest and heaviest, for now the only thing missing is the actual inspection since if all things being equal, the price is a STEAL.

Joe08867

As far as the CRS's are concerned they are also the only speakers with that SDA sound that Polk is famous for.

They are truly leaps and bounds better.

Mikeer2002ph

guys, change of plans.

I am ditching the vintage marantz amp and the almost year old RTiA3 speakers, and moving forward to a pair of LSi9s and a pair of decent stands worthy for this speaker.

Thanks for everyone's cheerful responses.

Dont worry guys, Im still getting within the family LOL :cool:

cnh

Hey, LSI-9s are nice speakers. Just make sure you have enough "power" to handle those. They like the 'juice' and are a 4 ohm load. Very musical and mellow.

Enjoy!

cnh

Mikeer2002ph

cnh wrote: »

Hey, LSI-9s are nice speakers. Just make sure you have enough "power" to handle those. They like the 'juice' and are a 4 ohm load. Very musical and mellow.

Enjoy!

cnh

oh yeah, im pretty much aware of it.

they're 4Ohms, and are really power hungry.

I actually already went ahead to a local dealer and brought with me my HK3470 for the initial auditioning phase

in one word .. euphoria ..