My 1C upgrade thread

SDA1C

Well everyboby's doin' it right?!

It seems the right thing to do with a full on upgrade to photo and catalog the steps. With all the threads a newb (like myself) should have all the visual aids they would ever need. So here it is...

My list of parts thus far is as follows,

Rings,gaskets,boards,solens,mills,spikes,rd0's(already installed)cardas binding and IC post.

I am toying with the silver teflon wire for the harnesses and IC cable but I'm yet to get around to ordering that or JB weld and dynamat but they will be before I start.

I will post pics as they become relevant throughout the build. Once all parts arrive I don't see it taking more than a week to complete it but I am a stickler for all parts prior to commencement so I will be waiting till then.

There have been many quality documentaries on the same up grades so I hope I don't disappoint. I will do my best

Stay tuned

1C

drumminman

I love upgrade threads! Especially those with pics

I usually get ideas for future projects.

SDA1C

Quick update...
No pics yet as all parts haven't arrived.

Add to the list of parts for installation the following;

(1) PS3 (for bluray source mainly)
(2) DH Labs Silver Sonic Toslink 1 meter
(1) Dh Labs Silver Sonic Toslink 2 meter
(1) Silver Sonic HDMI 1.4 2 meter
(5) Pro Studio/ OFC xlr .5 meter


They said they would drop it in the mail today

Thanks, 1C

gwg_97

Looking forward to your pics as I am planning to upgrade my 1C crossovers ASAP. I highly recommend a silver SDA cable. It made a very big difference in my case.

On the crossovers, I am thinking about soncicaps and solens. Not sure how different that would be from all solens (other than cost).

SDA1C

The Set I just picked up has a silver IC. Unfortunately it has the rca ends instead of bananas so I can't try it on my studios. If I had one step that calls out to be compared before and after I think the upgraded IC is the one to take note of.

1C

SDA1C

The list is coming together. I guess now I need to buy some time! lol

SDA1C

Okie Dokie...Here we go!

Before shots with the temp replacements in place and the studios removed for posterity. I will NOT go with out SDA in front channel! OOOP! guess the pic of them isn't actually in place but close to it. Anyway... the temp set is there to continue the duty till the stud's get modded!

More to come! 1C

SDA1C

Out with the old...

1C

drumminman

Hold on - cooking the popcorn now :cheesygrin:

SDA1C

Once the cabs were disassembled I bet I have less than 2 hrs installing (modifying) the rings and the spikes. Both jobs are a snap!

Easy Peasy! Mark some lines, drill some holes, Screw them in....Cake walk for anybody!

More of the same. Other Speaker.

This was the only thing that took time. The internal brace encroached the space the rings are designed for. Instead of carving out the cab (NoNo!) Just grind off some of the ring. Also, Have a chisel handy cause glue must have been cheap in the 80's lol. Easy to scrape the glue off but it MUST be done to get the rings to sit flat and work properly.

Shazaam! Rings installed... Now off to the closet for these cabs till the xovers are finished. I am toying with the idea of buying new inductors. Same but new (For some cosmic reason that just "is" but cannot be explained:rolleyes:you cannot use the foil type. I'll verify when I mod the xover in my cs350, I already bought the new foil inductor, that it might just be an SDA thing) and keep the original x0ver boards intact. It may set me back a few days but I jumped the gun anyway by starting before the dynamat arrived HeHe.

Welp! That's all for now.

I might spike my 11's while I wait for the soldering iron (Yes, it's that easy)

1C

SDA1C

IC upgrades complete. All Silver Sonic.

Starter on the oxvers. My little work bench.

1C
p.S. The hole for the SDA IC was already there and off center. I sort of had to go with it. No biggie or functional difference it just would have been nice to have it in the middle.

SDA1C

Along with the speaker/xover mods and upgrades I have been playing with some electronic advances as well. Here's a pic of the latest step in my journey. I just picked up the amp this morning. It's a performer to be sure.

Thanks for all the behind the sceens knowledge and info folks. It is greatly appreciated! :biggrin:

1C

VR3

Curious to see how you like your DH Labs stuff -

I have been using the Air Matrix/Q-14 combo with my speakers wired up with the T-14...

Dare I say, I like it better than my MIT gear?? >_>

SDA1C

I think the DhLabs stuff is great. I can't really do an a/b as I had to get an all new cable config when I went to xlr. I can say the HDMI made a whopping difference over the monster I was using.

SDA1C

All Done! What a difference! I can't WAIT to start cooking tweeters! I would go through the numbers on how and all that but honestly.,..Gimpod has done such a stellar job of all things xover I really have nothing to add. Oh I did think of something! Don't forget the jumpers lol.

Here's a few pics of the fun.

drumminman

Nice work!:arrowu:

SDA1C

Thanks, I still have the dynamat and jb weld but figured I could wait untill I get all the gaskets and do that all at once.

I should take some pics of the old xovers lol there were resistors that weren't even attached! Sort of why I decided to use the factory inductors rather than get new ones. I thought at first Id have a chance at keeping the old ones functional but they would have need a complete workover to everything but the connectors so I said heck with it.

These have become a set that will not be let go. They sound phenomenal and look just as good as they sound. I couldn't be happier!

Toolfan66

Nice work!!! I always get a little bummed when they are done cause they are so much fun to upgrade!!

Congrats

SDA1C

I hear ya there!. That was some quick coin lol. I am looking for something more challenging to be sure. Possibly an amp. I have some transformers/sockets and such. I wonder if they will work for a small tube project?

JimMueller

Dang, wish I had confidence in my ability to not screw up my xo upgrade. I have the 194's & rings installed. I have the custom boards but every time I seriously consider buying xo parts, my eyes get big and I begin looking at the MR's, then read about problems other forum members are having getting parts back from other members they are paying to do the work for them, then never spend the money LOL It's a vicious circle. About the only soldering I've done was modifying a RS level meter and it wasn't real clean

SDA1C

All I can really say is DON'T FORGET THE JUMPERS lol. (Thanks Gimpod!)

michaeljhsda2

Looks great!

SDA1C

Thanks! It was a lot of fun. I'd like to do more xovers but don't care to encroach on others side work. I received the dynamat today and am anxiously awaiting Brgmans gaskets. I am about to tear int my turntable but have some research to do before I do. There's an issue in the right side but not sure where to start. The other TT needs deoxit BAD! Maybe new pots would be best for the speed controls. I just don't know yet???

Toolfan66

JimMueller wrote: »

Dang, wish I had confidence in my ability to not screw up my xo upgrade. I have the 194's & rings installed. I have the custom boards but every time I seriously consider buying xo parts, my eyes get big and I begin looking at the MR's, then read about problems other forum members are having getting parts back from other members they are paying to do the work for them, then never spend the money LOL It's a vicious circle. About the only soldering I've done was modifying a RS level meter and it wasn't real clean

Jim you can send your xovers this way anytime!!!!

SDA1C

Toolfan66 wrote: »

Jim you can send your xovers this way anytime!!!!

There's lots of folks on here that are very capable of assembling a set of xovers for you Jim. I would pick someone that has a vested interest in the forum. That is... someone that everybody know their address LOL. Larry is a great option. He would be hung by the toes if he didn't send your stuff back. i.e. someone that a few hun doesn't mean two weeks pay.

VR3

My normal turn around is 1-2 weeks... depending on the complexity (SDA is usually 1 week turns)

SDA1C

Just like to remind folks this is a thread about The SDA1C upgrade/mod not a jack for side work.


If that was the case I'd say "Send them to me and I'll send the amp and your boards back at the same time".

But it's not so I won't:cheesygrin:

1C

VR3

Your mods look fanfreakingtastic!

I like the Gimpod boards - have not had the pleasure of working with them yet!

SDA1C

Aw man! Talk about gravy~! Plug and play man!

Toolfan66

Yep gimpods boards are the shiznits!!!

SDA1C

SDA1C wrote: »

All Done! What a difference! I can't WAIT to start cooking tweeters! I would go through the numbers on how and all that but honestly.,..Gimpod has done such a stellar job of all things xover I really have nothing to add. Oh I did think of something! Don't forget the jumpers lol.

Here's a few pics of the fun.

One thing to note here if you aren't aware and might be having someone else do your xovers.

In the fist pic (of both xovers side by side) You'll note a gap between the resistor and the board. It is there for a REASON.

At higher listening levels those resistors will get warm. (That's why they "burn out"). If the resistor is placed next to the board or on sticky foam (lol) It will burn the board,the resistor, or your house. Either way it's safe to say under these close proximity circumstances YMMV...eh? Premature failure of the resistor is a best case scenario as the resistor casing will now expand and contract at different rates. Quickly cooling one side of the resistor and doesn't allow sufficient cooling to the other.

1C