New SDA owner

Denzel

I just got a pair of original SDA 2.3's and was curious if there is anything I should do to optimize thier condition? I am new to the forum and have been reading about all the crossover and component upgrades. Do I just leave them alone or is there anything I should do right away to improve the performance. I am not into ruining perfection as I am sure they sound great, as I have wanted these since I was a kid in High School. Any advice would be appreciated.

evhudsons

Welcome to club Polk forum from one newbie to another! This should get you started before others chime in:

http://www.google.com/search?q=Polk+sda+2.3+upgrades+site:polkaudio.com&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&client=safari

Toolfan66

Congrats Denzel!!

I say enjoy them for awhile if they are in full working order? Hang out here for a few get your read on and ask questions then you will have an idea what upgrades you would like to do and what budget you would like to keep yourself within..

Welcome to the SDA club as well as The Polk fourm!!!

Schurkey

The FIRST thing to do is to verify that all the drivers work; and are the correct polarity and part number. Assure that all drivers and passive radiator are solidly mounted to the front baffle--no stripped wood screws; use gaskets or caulking as appropriate.

SECOND thing would be to bypass the safety cutouts for the tweeters; they're a known problem. Either replace with new; or better still just eliminate them completely. You'll then have to be using a quality amp and be humane with the volume control so as to not over-drive the tweeters by clipping (especially) or excess volume (not so likely). Some folks will suggest using a .2--.5 ohm resistor in place of the safety devices to maintain "correct" tweeter volume level.

After that, the sky is the limit for mods and tweaks. Fresh capacitors (and better-quality resistors) in the crossovers make an ENORMOUS improvement over the worn-out electrolytic caps presently used; damping material on the driver baskets; reinforcements for the driver mounting screws; replacement inductors (be careful) and Polk's direct-replacement tweeter RD0-194. Of course, modifying the crossover to allow the "TL" style tweeters--RD0-198--is also a possibility. Some folks add name-brand speaker wire terminals including replacing the pin/blade connector for the SDA interconnect cable with--take your pick--XLR connectors, gold/nickel banana plugs, etc. Others might replace all the internal wiring with name-brand (expensive) teflon-insulated, silver-plated copper...you get the idea.

Have fun.

Tony M

It's great to hear when people finally get that audio gear they could only dream about owning 20 years ago, more or less.
That was me too.
Today I finally just bought a NHT system with Pioneer Elite older elec. system. I aquired a Defin. Tech. system just a month ago or so also. I thought long and hard, believe me but I bit the bullet.

Who knows how long I have. Now there just that other desire to hear those bigger Polks like you just got. I've heard the SRS2's and I hear they are almost at the top sound wise so if I get another (mint) pair in the future, I think I'll be satisfied in the large SDA acquisition dept. for good.

That link evhudsons gave you should cover all you need to know!
Great link there EV.!

Enjoy.

chandler9a

Welcome to the Club. I grew up with that model, they are great...It can be an addiction so be careful.

Enjoy them for a while and have fun!

drumminman

Congrats on you 2.3's Denzel! Good advice here. Verify that all the drivers are in working order, and then listen to them for a while to get acquainted with their sound.

There are lots of mods that, together, will take them to where the original designers intended to go, but couldn't due to amplifier designs available when they were designed.

It's easy to sink money into them so you'll want to think about a budget.

evhudsons

You are In great hands as you can see. Look at drummingman's signature which sums up to a degree why we are all here. Not all speakers are special or upgradable but you have a pair of gems.

Great advice. Thanks for the link kudos, I'm learning to search the site with advice found on this forum. Search using google:

Subject x site:polkaudio.com

It works great. It bypasses the forum search and gives a better return. google uses activity to bring the best Match.

Rock on SDA brother!

cnh

Welcome to Club Polk!

2.3s are a wonderful way to break into the SDA scene. Lots of info on this site to mine on those!

Congrats!

cnh

Toolfan66

Denzel !!!! where are you??? we want to help you spend your money!!!!!:twisted::twisted::cool:

chandler9a

Hahaha, spend your money is right! but for good listening of course. Ive learned a lot here, just keep searching.

gmcman

Awesome.....nice entrance to the SDA world for sure.

Toolfan66

gmcman wrote: »

Awesome.....nice entrance to the SDA world for sure.

I have had my ears on a set and I would be more then happy with them I say they are one of the underated SDA's as well..

Denzel

Hello all,

I apologize for not chiming in sooner, I have been busy with work and projects, not speding enought itme on fun things like my gear. I am overwhelmed by the warm welcome to this forum. Its nmice to klnow so many folks out their appreciate what this technology had/has to offer.

I finally got to listen to my 2.3's for the first time this week. Incredible sound, just what I had imagined.. I will be listening to most of my music collection again for the frst time i think. After reading all fo the responses and ideas, I have done the foloowing:

Verified all the drivers are working and in correct polarity.
Made sure the drivers and passive radiator are secure to the baffle and not loose or stripped.

Did have a couple more questions... is there a better way to habndle the SDA interconnect? I had seen a few posts reagrding changing out the connector with a single Vampire or Cardas binding post? I also want to change out the standard speaker terminals with new binging posts.. any recommendations? I have some KimberKable I have had for years and I want to contine ussing that (unless of course there are better suggestions)

So what next? .do I replace the tweeters for improvments there.. or should I just wait a few months and settle in and see? My main concern is the age of the crossovers and I do not want to pop a driver or tweeter because of a bad component.

As always thanks for the replies.

evhudsons

Tweeters first in my opinion, then the cheaper upgrades. Rings, spikes, seals, etc, then do the crossovers. If you have the inclination, just do it all now.

Schurkey

evhudsons wrote: »

Tweeters first in my opinion, then the cheaper upgrades. Rings, spikes, seals, etc, then do the crossovers. If you have the inclination, just do it all now.

I would do crossovers first, so that defective crossovers won't stress the new tweeters. It's almost given that ~30 year old electrolytic capacitors will have gone out-of-spec.

Crossovers first--or simultaneous--is mandatory if the RD0-198 tweeters are to be added.

drumminman

evhudsons wrote: »

Tweeters first in my opinion, then the cheaper upgrades. Rings, spikes, seals, etc, then do the crossovers. If you have the inclination, just do it all now.

If you want to do mods incrementally, replacing the IC connection with a binding post ( and the other binding posts as well) , and making a better IC cable is a great place to start. It's inexpensive and makes a worthwhile improvement.

Next I would say replacing the tweeters is a good idea. You'll want the RD0-198 which you can get direct from Polk at the 800 number in the top right corner. Tell them you're a Club Polk member and you'll get a discount + free shipping. The replacement tweeters were to me a huge improvement, even before they burned in.

Then I would do the Xovers.

Finally, I would replace the 16 mH inductor with one with lower DCR.

Very easy to spend money on these, but the improvement is really something!

evhudsons

good point about the crossovers. I was mainly thinking of cheap, fast and inspirational first naturally leading to the crossovers.

There is money to be spent, but it isn't wasted. You could just spend your money on other things like shopping malls or whatever, but your investment will last generations. Instead of going out spending money at a bar last night, I was at home installing Larry's rings on my SDA speakers, then kicking back in my humble and grateful SDA universe. That is money saved and life earned.

It also has made my wife rediscover her own tastes in music, and is exploring again what she and I have stopped doing, which is discovering music we love. Even my dogs love the improvement.


I'm an original SDA owner, and my speakers are getting new life, and I'm having a blast learning, doing and listening.

Denzel

So if i change out the IC connector and binding posts.. which brand of product? Vampire, Cardas.. or something else? Any appreciable differnce in the quality of these?

I was going to ask... My pair with tthe top and bottom 6 1/2" drivers in the line array are the "donut" type... what doesd that mean to me as far as generation or spec? What was the purpose of this driver as opposed to the regular drivers?

I appreciate all the help... i got to "open them up" today for the first time. Incredible. My Crown Macro-Tech 2400 coasts along at 800w into 8 ohm load. Plenty of horse power and they sound great. Im not into loud necessarily, just solid power behind the music.

One more thiong... and I have seen this posted many times so forgive the repetiveness.. the SDA Handbook.. is it something I can still get? I know the SDA Compendium is not available as far as I know.. but DarqueKnight suggested that as an alternative.

Again thanks for the tips.

evhudsons

I've seen a SDA pdf file online somewhere. I have one for my CRS+ but that wouldn't do you much good.

Cardas is the brand preferred by virtually everywhere I've read. For now I just adjusted my connection and doubled the amount of wire, but I plan on doing a cardas post with a better grade wire for the IC.

There are some really great threads that give you step by step instructions. Cardas is one way, but there is another type of connector used too. I forget the name right now, but I think it is on DarqueKnight's thread.

chandler9a

drumminman wrote: »

If you want to do mods incrementally, replacing the IC connection with a binding post ( and the other binding posts as well) , and making a better IC cable is a great place to start. It's inexpensive and makes a worthwhile improvement.

Next I would say replacing the tweeters is a good idea. You'll want the RD0-198 which you can get direct from Polk at the 800 number in the top right corner. Tell them you're a Club Polk member and you'll get a discount + free shipping. The replacement tweeters were to me a huge improvement, even before they burned in.

Then I would do the Xovers.

Finally, I would replace the 16 mH inductor with one with lower DCR.

Very easy to spend money on these, but the improvement is really something!

I think he has the regular 2.3's which would require the RDO-194 tweetersl. Is this correct or does he have the TL's and I missed it?

jaygax

heres my newly acquired SDA 2A for free. (given from a friend) she said those babies were just lying at her attic for years.

jaygax

how about my pair of SDA 2A? what wou i do for future upgrades? or should i just replace them with a pair of RTi12? polk audio is selling them at ebay for $800 brand new with free shipping.

Schurkey

jaygax wrote: »

how about my pair of SDA 2A? what wou i do for future upgrades? or should i just replace them with a pair of RTi12? polk audio is selling them at ebay for $800 brand new with free shipping.

Schurkey wrote: »

The FIRST thing to do is to verify that all the drivers work; and are the correct polarity and part number. Assure that all drivers and passive radiator are solidly mounted to the front baffle--no stripped wood screws; use gaskets or caulking as appropriate.

SECOND thing would be to bypass the safety cutouts for the tweeters; they're a known problem. Either replace with new; or better still just eliminate them completely. You'll then have to be using a quality amp and be humane with the volume control so as to not over-drive the tweeters by clipping (especially) or excess volume (not so likely). Some folks will suggest using a .2--.5 ohm resistor in place of the safety devices to maintain "correct" tweeter volume level.

After that, the sky is the limit for mods and tweaks. Fresh capacitors (and better-quality resistors) in the crossovers make an ENORMOUS improvement over the worn-out electrolytic caps presently used; damping material on the driver baskets; reinforcements for the driver mounting screws; replacement inductors (be careful) and Polk's direct-replacement tweeter RD0-194. Of course, modifying the crossover to allow the "TL" style tweeters--RD0-198--is also a possibility. Some folks add name-brand speaker wire terminals including replacing the pin/blade connector for the SDA interconnect cable with--take your pick--XLR connectors, gold/nickel banana plugs, etc. Others might replace all the internal wiring with name-brand (expensive) teflon-insulated, silver-plated copper...you get the idea.

Have fun.

No different for yours than for any others. (Except for the RD0-198 upgrade, which I'm not sure about for the 2A)

I would call the RTi12 a downgrade. Others might disagree.

jaygax

Schurkey wrote: »

No different for yours than for any others. (Except for the RD0-198 upgrade, which I'm not sure about for the 2A)

I would call the RTi12 a downgrade. Others might disagree.

Downgrade !!!! thanks a lot for that. that makes me feel better. so, those new, modern speakers from polk audios are just good for their looks? and the vintage are still better in audio quality?

Neskahi

Denzel wrote: »

So if i change out the IC connector and binding posts.. which brand of product? Vampire, Cardas.. or something else? Any appreciable differnce in the quality of these?

I was going to ask... My pair with tthe top and bottom 6 1/2" drivers in the line array are the "donut" type... what doesd that mean to me as far as generation or spec? What was the purpose of this driver as opposed to the regular drivers?

I appreciate all the help... i got to "open them up" today for the first time. Incredible. My Crown Macro-Tech 2400 coasts along at 800w into 8 ohm load. Plenty of horse power and they sound great. Im not into loud necessarily, just solid power behind the music.

One more thiong... and I have seen this posted many times so forgive the repetiveness.. the SDA Handbook.. is it something I can still get? I know the SDA Compendium is not available as far as I know.. but DarqueKnight suggested that as an alternative.

Again thanks for the tips.

It's my understanding that the "donut" was added to increase bass on the 2.3's. And it is basically a MW6511 driver but with the donut added.

Denzel

Thanks again everyone for the help. I am looking to upgrade the binding posts and get the IC taken care of first, then move on to tweets or crossover. EVerything is working great right now... but I am interested in seeing what can be done.

evhudsons

Good choice.

It's almost impossible to consider SDA a downgrade on virtually every level. This hobby is like any vice with pleasure rewards, excess within moderation. You will enjoy every upgrade you make no matter the order. You are an equal among the rest of us here in the SDA universe. Enjoy those 1c's!