Newbee with a question regarding SDA SRS

MarZutra

Hi all, I was advised to come over after posting a question on audiokarma. I currently have an older Denon with Denon POA 2800 power amp running full Paradigm fronts and surround/sub etc. However I'm in the middle of "upgrading" my system and am having some ideas which I hope you - whom are of far more knowledge - can assist me with.

I was thinking of getting a pair of the older SDA SRS Signature Series towers and mating them with a pair of modern Krell mono blocks front and modern Polk LSiM surround/sub. However after posting I was informed that these particular speakers must be used with common ground amps (another subject I know nothing about) and some tell me that these SDA SRS are still on par with most of the upper level speakers being sold today - sound quality wise - and other say not.

I remember my uncle's set of SDA's back in the 1980's and they were just incredible and saw a few pairs in excellent condition go on ebay for over $2,000.00.

Any information, advice etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again, Jeremy

stubby

"Newer" SRS's with a Pin/Blade interconnect cable are compatible with mono-blocks - long as you are using a common ground interface (AI-1). Just do a search - tons of info on the site.

Lots of folks here have updated their SDA's with great success and increases of sound quality. Crossovers, binding posts, driver mounting brackets, sky's the limit!

And welcome to CP!!

stubby

MarZutra

Thank you very much stubby. Greatly appreciated. I hope you don't mind if I contact you again for questions. Getting back into this is becoming bewildering to be honest... Thanks again for taking your time to reply. Much appreciated. Jer

drumminman

Hi MarZutra, and welcome to CP!

Newer SDA's can be used with non-common amps by connecting the SDA cable from each speaker to a AI-1 interface.

But yours are the older ones. You need to check with the manufacturer of the amp you plan to use to see if you can tie the negative binding posts on the amp together as the AI-1 will not work with older SDA speakers. You can do this with some mono blocks, but not with others.

Good luck!

Scooterp7

drumminman wrote: »

Hi MarZutra, and welcome to CP!

Newer SDA's can be used with non-common amps by connecting the SDA cable from each speaker to a AI-1 interface.

But yours are the older ones. You need to check with the manufacturer of the amp you plan to use to see if you can tie the negative binding posts on the amp together as the AI-1 will not work with older SDA speakers. You can do this with some mono blocks, but not with others.

Good luck!

O.K., so this may be OT, but, I see that you own some TL's. Out of extreme curiosity, do the LSiM series compare to the TL's of yester-year or is that comparing apples to rocks and a completely stupid question??!!

I wonder if it has been discussed at all here, yet. I've searched but this thread was one of the few I was directed to.

TIA!

newrival

Scooterp7 wrote: »

O.K., so this may be OT, but, I see that you own some TL's. Out of extreme curiosity, do the LSiM series compare to the TL's of yester-year or is that comparing apples to rocks and a completely stupid question??!!

I wonder if it has been discussed at all here, yet. I've searched but this thread was one of the few I was directed to.

TIA!

Apples and oranges. The LsiM is a much more refined speaker. SRSs are very nice, but they are quite relaxed and less resolving. Where SRSs shine is in frequency range and super wide soundstage due to the SDA effect. In my opinion, the original SRS's SDA effect was not as good as other SDA models like the 2b, CRS+, or the 2.3tl/3.1tl. The 1.2tl was also better than the original SRS in ths department. A few prefer the original SRS more on their feeling that there was a heavier bass response.

But to your question, they are quite different. I find the LSiM to be much more acurate, which is what I prefer. Others prefer SDA speakers due to the magical SDA effect.

drumminman

newrival wrote: »

Apples and oranges. The LsiM is a much more refined speaker. SRSs are very nice, but they are quite relaxed and less resolving. Where SRSs shine is in frequency range and super wide soundstage due to the SDA effect. In my opinion, the original SRS's SDA effect was not as good as other SDA models like the 2b, CRS+, or the 2.3tl/3.1tl. The 1.2tl was also better than the original SRS in ths department. A few prefer the original SRS more on their feeling that there was a heavier bass response.

But to your question, they are quite different. I find the LSiM to be much more acurate, which is what I prefer. Others prefer SDA speakers due to the magical SDA effect.

Not sure what you mean by more accurate, but I hear so deeply into the soundstage that eveytime I play familiar CD's I haven't yet heard on my 2.3TL's I'm surprised by how much information is on the recording. I hear stuff I had never heard before when I had other speakers inmy system. It's also not just the information they reveal, but the subtle timing cues, timbre and tone of instruments and vocals. They convey the emotion musicians put into the performance along with the notes played better than any other speakers I've heard.

I have no experience with the LSiM's; I'm sure they're great speaks from the comments made here, but I have to say the resolving ability of the 2.3TL's is quite impressive. I'd love to get my ears on some LSiM's for a comparison.

To be fair, mine a a long ways from stock (see my signature) so your judgement may be accurate for unmodded speakers.