RTA-15TL mods?
Denzel
Posts: 78
Just picked up a pair of mildly used RTA-15TL's, I have done the mods to my SDA-CRS+ (upgrade to RDO, rebuilt x-overs) are there any significant upgrades for the RTA's? I obviously may have the x-overs rebuilt, but are there any upgrades for the tweeter? Seen several replaceing the SL-3000 with a RDO model.. but which one? I feel like I am starting a collection of vintage Polk's, Funny I was hooked at 15 when I got a pair of Monitor 5jr+, saved all summer to get them (1990). I can afford the big boys now and appreciate them even more. Seems like I am on a roll of finding all of these models.
Thanks ahead for your thoughts...
Thanks ahead for your thoughts...
SDA SRS 3.1TL, Adcom GFP710 (preamp), GFA5400 amplifier, Pro-Ject TT
SDA SRS (circa 1988), Integra DHC 60.3 (HT preamp) Adcom GFA555 II, CS400i (center), Monitor 4.6 II (rears) Adcom GFA2535 & Oppo BDP-103, TCL 55R617 55" 4K Display, RTA 15TL (crossovers by VR3), Adcom GFP710 pre & GFA545 II amplifier, NAD C545BEE. AppleTV 4K
Other Polks not in service currently; SDA2a, SDA CRS+, SDA SRS 2.3, Monitor 4.6 II, Monitor 5jr+
SDA SRS (circa 1988), Integra DHC 60.3 (HT preamp) Adcom GFA555 II, CS400i (center), Monitor 4.6 II (rears) Adcom GFA2535 & Oppo BDP-103, TCL 55R617 55" 4K Display, RTA 15TL (crossovers by VR3), Adcom GFP710 pre & GFA545 II amplifier, NAD C545BEE. AppleTV 4K
Other Polks not in service currently; SDA2a, SDA CRS+, SDA SRS 2.3, Monitor 4.6 II, Monitor 5jr+
Post edited by Denzel on
Comments
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Yep, upgrade the crossovers and change the tweeters to the RD0198-1. Search for Decato to read his upgrade thread on your 15's.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
Thank you, Ill have a look.SDA SRS 3.1TL, Adcom GFP710 (preamp), GFA5400 amplifier, Pro-Ject TT
SDA SRS (circa 1988), Integra DHC 60.3 (HT preamp) Adcom GFA555 II, CS400i (center), Monitor 4.6 II (rears) Adcom GFA2535 & Oppo BDP-103, TCL 55R617 55" 4K Display, RTA 15TL (crossovers by VR3), Adcom GFP710 pre & GFA545 II amplifier, NAD C545BEE. AppleTV 4K
Other Polks not in service currently; SDA2a, SDA CRS+, SDA SRS 2.3, Monitor 4.6 II, Monitor 5jr+ -
rta15tl i just got 2days ago. i know nothing about these. how many watts are they..would you know any info on these speakers..thank you. randy augusta maine..
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hi. i just got some rta15tl's. do you know specs. i tried looking on line. is there a site i missing..not much on them..im not sure but they may be stock. but not positive. any info would be nice..
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The RTA 15TL was the flagship of the RTA line and the largest non-SDA loudspeaker Polk produced (at the time) from 1990-1992. Original specs rated them at 30-250 watts. I just got my pair three weeks ago, I drive mine with an Adcom GFA-555 series II amplifier (roughly 200wpc). Im not about how loud I can drive them, I like quality sound, and IMO, the cleaner power you have behind them, the more effortless the music will sound and the less chance of damaging them when you want to drive them harder.
There are a tremedous amount of resources and good folks here in the forum that live and die by Polk and the long history of thier vintage models, take some time and look in this vintage forum for RTA and the mods that some have done for them. The above reference by F1nut to Decato's thread in mods is very interesting. Let us know what your impressions are and have fun.SDA SRS 3.1TL, Adcom GFP710 (preamp), GFA5400 amplifier, Pro-Ject TT
SDA SRS (circa 1988), Integra DHC 60.3 (HT preamp) Adcom GFA555 II, CS400i (center), Monitor 4.6 II (rears) Adcom GFA2535 & Oppo BDP-103, TCL 55R617 55" 4K Display, RTA 15TL (crossovers by VR3), Adcom GFP710 pre & GFA545 II amplifier, NAD C545BEE. AppleTV 4K
Other Polks not in service currently; SDA2a, SDA CRS+, SDA SRS 2.3, Monitor 4.6 II, Monitor 5jr+ -
Let us know how your mods. go when you finish them. I am also the proud owner of 15TL's that I bought new in 91. They have spent most of their life untouched and left in their boxes. Just last year I bought some mint condition 2.3's off of a fellow Polkie. In your opinion how would you compare the 15's to the 2.3's? Even if the 15's don't hold a candle the SRS's, they sure are a beautiful to look at!
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I think they are both great loudspeakers... Just different approach for either model. I am looking to mod my 15TLs first, then maybe redo the crossovers and tweets on my 2.3sSDA SRS 3.1TL, Adcom GFP710 (preamp), GFA5400 amplifier, Pro-Ject TT
SDA SRS (circa 1988), Integra DHC 60.3 (HT preamp) Adcom GFA555 II, CS400i (center), Monitor 4.6 II (rears) Adcom GFA2535 & Oppo BDP-103, TCL 55R617 55" 4K Display, RTA 15TL (crossovers by VR3), Adcom GFP710 pre & GFA545 II amplifier, NAD C545BEE. AppleTV 4K
Other Polks not in service currently; SDA2a, SDA CRS+, SDA SRS 2.3, Monitor 4.6 II, Monitor 5jr+ -
THANK you DENZEL for you quick responce. i am new to polk speakers. im looking forward to getting more. i just landed a deal on the rta15tl speakers-a csi40 center speaker and a Harman Kardon avr1001 reciever all in mint to vvery good condition..got from a friends parents i know..here is a question you may be able to help me with also..i have a HK avr130 that has worked flawless since we bought it new. should i use the DPR1001 or the AVR 130...i dont need 6 speaker plus cs plus sub..im very happy with a 5/1..any suggestions..im not good with electronics but learning..now im looking for some polk rears and sub..maybe best buy but i think older ones i like better. thank you for your time. randy..
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Well IMO you need alot more dedicated power to drive the RTA15TL's, the HK DPR1001 is only 50wpc and the AVR130 is 45wpc. Neither of which come close to enough power to drive them without distortion. Best Buy is not going to be a good source for amplifiers or speakers IMO. Look for some vintage Monitor 5jr or 5jr+ for center channel and/or surrounds. They will come close to matching the timbre of the RTA series. You are in need of some dedicated power amplification, you could get buy if the HK receivers have pre-outs and then feed those to a power amplifier, but using the power sections of those recievers is extremely risky in possibly damaging the drivers in the RTA's. You might look to the Electronics sections of the forum for more information on receivers amd amplification... I could soap-box and suggest ideas for hours on receivers and amplification and the benefits and trouble of either...but this forum is a great place to look for information. Good luck with your project.SDA SRS 3.1TL, Adcom GFP710 (preamp), GFA5400 amplifier, Pro-Ject TT
SDA SRS (circa 1988), Integra DHC 60.3 (HT preamp) Adcom GFA555 II, CS400i (center), Monitor 4.6 II (rears) Adcom GFA2535 & Oppo BDP-103, TCL 55R617 55" 4K Display, RTA 15TL (crossovers by VR3), Adcom GFP710 pre & GFA545 II amplifier, NAD C545BEE. AppleTV 4K
Other Polks not in service currently; SDA2a, SDA CRS+, SDA SRS 2.3, Monitor 4.6 II, Monitor 5jr+ -
thank you for the information. i am in no rush at all. i have my harman kardon avr hooked to a set of 7semk3 towers and mini mk3's for rears.a pdr10 for sub and a center speaker..i am looking for a stereo to hook up to the RTA15lt's i will be looking for some rear speakers. i have a friend who has lots of adcom items so i will start researching and doing my homework on this issue. i am looking forward to setting up a system that is all polk..if my wife doesnt kill me first....thank you very much. randy in Maine..
