Finally did the RDO upgrade on my SDA 2's

nadams
nadams Posts: 5,877
edited December 2011 in Vintage Speakers
When I first got the SDAs, I figured my first and only upgrade would be the RDO tweeters. At the time, I was running both tweeters, which meant $200 to complete the upgrade. So, I waited. Then, I disconnected the SDA tweeters and was just running the stereo ones... Which brings the upgrade cost to $100. But, that was still cost prohibitive in my mind, so I waited.

Then, I got hooked up by a friend of Carl's... and got a pair of the RDO's for $60 shipped :)

And now, I'm in non-SL2000 bliss....

2011-11-2115-43-09615-M.jpg

As for them being the only upgrade... far from it. The crossovers were already modded when I bought them, but I have a set of rings to install, tweeter gaskets on the way, and will hopefully be able to get gaskets for the mids and PR. There's also a set of spikes to go on them, but I'm not sure how best to accomplish that, since they're not set up from the factory for spikes. I also need to brace the rear baffle on both, as I have one that's rattling already. A piece of quarter-round and some wood glue should fix that.
Ludicrous gibs!
Post edited by nadams on
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Comments

  • saemark30
    saemark30 Posts: 146
    edited November 2011
    Where did you get the RD0's for $60 shipped? That would be a sweet deal.
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  • TNHNDYMAN
    TNHNDYMAN Posts: 2,145
    edited November 2011
    When you say gaskets for the mids and PR, are you going to use mortite or something similar in addition to the rings? Reason I ask is that I have a set of ToolFans's rings for my Polk 7's that I've yet to install and don't remember if most do both or just use the rings and call it a day.
    2-ch System: Parasound P/LD 2000 pre, Parasound HCA-1000 amp, Parasound T/DQ Tuner, Phase Technology PC-100 Tower speakers, Technics SL-1600 Turntable, Denon 2910 SACD/CD player, Peachtree DAC iT and X1asynchorus USB converter, HSU VTF-3 subwoofer.

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  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited November 2011
    saemark30 wrote: »
    Where did you get the RD0's for $60 shipped? That would be a sweet deal.

    They were used, but not very much :)
    TNHNDYMAN wrote: »
    When you say gaskets for the mids and PR, are you going to use mortite or something similar in addition to the rings? Reason I ask is that I have a set of ToolFans's rings for my Polk 7's that I've yet to install and don't remember if most do both or just use the rings and call it a day.

    I was hoping to get gaskets from brgman for the mids and PR. He already did a run of the mid gaskets, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a 2nd run. These are gaskets cut from a regular foam rubber gasket material. And yes, i would do both the rings and new gaskets.
    Ludicrous gibs!
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  • PolkMaster1
    PolkMaster1 Posts: 847
    edited November 2011
    Be prepared to apply Dynamat to the speaker baskets. I use Mortite and Dynamat on my speakers which made a trememdous difference, and then later applied Larrys Rings on my set of speakers. I have done numerous projects which has bought forth substantial improvements to the speaker sonics. When navigating through this forum, you will be amazed at the wealth of knowledge this forum has to offer on speaker improvements. It is a worthwhile investment for anyone who os satisfied with holding on to their speakers for long periods of time.

    I am working on another project which requires me to remove all the drivers and tweeters from my speakers. I trying to attempt 4 projects in one shot, so it is taking some time to complete. I am on one speaker for nearly 2 weeks now. Hopefully when that speaker is complete, the other speaker will be worked on more quickly.
    Statistics show that 98% of us will die at some point in our lifetime.

    The other 2% will work for WalMart.
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  • drumminman
    drumminman Posts: 3,396
    edited November 2011
    I am working on another project which requires me to remove all the drivers and tweeters from my speakers. I trying to attempt 4 projects in one shot, so it is taking some time to complete. I am on one speaker for nearly 2 weeks now. Hopefully when that speaker is complete, the other speaker will be worked on more quickly.

    The second speaker to be modded usually goes 50% faster than the first, since on the first one you're honing your technique, working out how stuff should go together, etc.

    What mods you doing?
    "Science is suppose to explain observations not dismiss them as impossible" - Norm on AA; 2.3TL's w/sonicaps/mills/jantzen inductors, Gimpod's boards, Lg Solen SDA inductors, RD-0198's, MW's dynamatted, Armaflex speaker gaskets, H-nuts, brass spikes, Cardas CCGR BP's, upgraded IC Cable, Black Hole Damping Sheet strips, interior of cabinets sealed with Loctite Power Grab, AI-1 interface with 1000VA A-L transformer
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited November 2011
    nadams wrote: »

    And now, I'm in non-SL2000 bliss....

    Could you say a little more about this, Noah? I've been putting off the inevitable myself. Will probably upgrade to RDs- in the near future!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • Swordphsh
    Swordphsh Posts: 18
    edited December 2011
    nadams wrote: »
    And now, I'm in non-SL2000 bliss....

    I'm also interested in what kind of a difference these make. Let me know when they're all finished so I can check them out.
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