Shipping SDA1's

tophatjohnny
tophatjohnny Posts: 4,182
edited November 2012 in Vintage Speakers
I know it's tricky, but is it also a complete no no?? Found a pair in CA and am in talks of shipping. While the current owner has the original box, I doubt UPS would handle them with any kind of love. Am I right?? And is there advise to give a shipper in advance to insure a safe delivery of something like this??
"if it's not fun, it's not worth it & remember folks, "It's All About The Music"!!
*****************************
Post edited by tophatjohnny on
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited November 2012
    They will need to be very well packed in a wooden crate and strapped to a pallet. Ideally with the MWs removed and packed seperately to survive anything.

    Drive out to get them or find some closer would be my vote.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • Mystery
    Mystery Posts: 2,546
    edited November 2012
    It may be worthwhile to fly and rent a one way car back with them.
    It may be same as the shipping cost but two days driving is not easy.

    Edit: on second thought, that's too far... you may be able to find a pair close enough if you add the shipping cost from CA.:exclaim:

    Klipsch RB81, KG3.5, B&W DM602.5, Polk.
    Subwoofers: Klipsch RW10, Triad ProSub Bronze.
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  • tophatjohnny
    tophatjohnny Posts: 4,182
    edited November 2012
    Okay, that's all I needed to hear! lol
    "if it's not fun, it's not worth it & remember folks, "It's All About The Music"!!
    *****************************
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  • drumminman
    drumminman Posts: 3,396
    edited November 2012
    I'd look for a pair closer to home and go pick them up.
    "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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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,561
    edited November 2012
    For future reference, Craters and Freighters does an excellent job.
    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

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  • Moose68Bash
    Moose68Bash Posts: 3,843
    edited November 2012
    F1nut wrote: »
    For future reference, Craters and Freighters does an excellent job.

    +1 on F1nut's comments.

    I shipped my pair of SDA SRSs from Florida to New Hampshire safely by ensuring that they were padded well and packed (or crated) individually to protect the tweeters and drivers (as well as the cabinets), strapped together face to face and padded further, then strapped upright on a pallet. An antique dealer/shipper handled it for me.

    Biggest concern was MW magnets slipping from vibration. If the seller is willing and able to remove them and pack them separately, that likely would be best. My seller wouldn't go that far, and I took a risk without calamity.

    Crating and shipping is not cheap when done right.
    Family Room, Innuos Statement streamer (Roon Core) with Morrow Audio USB cable to McIntosh MC 2700 pre with DC2 Digital Audio Module; AQ Sky XLRs to CAT 600.2 dualmono amp, Morrow Elite Speaker Cables to NOLA Baby Grand Reference Gold 3 speakers. Power source for all components: Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One with dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel.

    Exercise Room, Innuos Streamer via Cat 6 cable connection to PS Audio PerfectWave MkII DAC w/Bridge II, AQ King Cobra RCAs to Perreaux PMF3150 amp (fully restored and upgraded by Jeffrey Jackson, Precision Audio Labs), Supra Rondo 4x2.5 Speaker Cables to SDA 1Cs (Vr3 Mods Xovers and other mods.), Dreadnaught with Supra Rondo 4x2.5 interconnect cables by Vr3 Mods. Power for each component from dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel, except Innuos Statement powered from Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One.

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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited November 2012
    The only problem with shipping is that it aint cheap to do it right. Many sellers dont understand this and you could potentially end up with a problem in route as a result.

    I would make sure you get the details hammered down on shipping, insurance, signature required, how its being shipped and all the nitty gritty details. If the seller seems to be hesitant to ship them the way you want, back out. Its not worth taking the risk.

    Also make sure however you pay them you have recourse should there be an issue due to their packing (or lack thereof), or if they conveniently "forget" to get insurance and the package gets damaged.

    Personally I would only buy SDA's (or for the most part any audio gear) from guys on this forum as we understand the requirements to ship em right.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • tophatjohnny
    tophatjohnny Posts: 4,182
    edited November 2012
    F1nut wrote: »
    For future reference, Craters and Freighters does an excellent job.

    Thanks, still pricing it out of my reach!!
    "if it's not fun, it's not worth it & remember folks, "It's All About The Music"!!
    *****************************
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited November 2012
    I would honestly suggest being patient for a set to come up somewhat local so you can listen to them (hopefully), inspect them and deal with transporting them yourself.

    A great site to use to search the local CL's is searchtempest.com. It can help you find some local to you.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • tophatjohnny
    tophatjohnny Posts: 4,182
    edited November 2012
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    I would honestly suggest being patient for a set to come up somewhat local so you can listen to them (hopefully), inspect them and deal with transporting them yourself.

    A great site to use to search the local CL's is searchtempest.com. It can help you find some local to you.

    I found a pair over by you in Black, but the set in CA is in the wood look and that has me all warm and fuzzy!!?? Probably just sticking with the black pair and make it work.
    "if it's not fun, it's not worth it & remember folks, "It's All About The Music"!!
    *****************************
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited November 2012
    tophatjohnny wrote: »
    I found a pair over by you in Black, but the set in CA is in the wood look and that has me all warm and fuzzy!!?? Probably just sticking with the black pair and make it work.

    If you really want the wood kind, post a wanted ad here and see what turns up, maybe someone nearby has a set of SDA's they would be willing to let go.

    Dont know if your stuck on one particular model or not.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • Schurkey
    Schurkey Posts: 2,101
    edited November 2012
    tophatjohnny wrote: »
    I know it's tricky, but is it also a complete no no?? Found a pair in CA and am in talks of shipping. While the current owner has the original box, I doubt UPS would handle them with any kind of love. Am I right?? And is there advise to give a shipper in advance to insure a safe delivery of something like this??
    Matthew Polk didn't drive them in the back of his station wagon to the stores when they were new.

    If the seller has original boxes AND THE ORIGINAL PACKING STYROFOAM, I wouldn't hesitate to ship them via common carrier. Might want to "reinforce" the thirty-year-old cardboard with a LOT of packing tape, though.
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  • PolkieMan
    PolkieMan Posts: 2,446
    edited November 2012
    http://www.freightquote.com/default.aspx?access=13373&002=1402877&004=1837427420&005=17189331&006=12848354540&007=search&008=&s_kwcid=tc|15551|shipping||s|p|12848354540&gclid=clvxjelwz7mcfqy5naod_wgapg
    POLK SDA 2.3 TLS BOUGHT NEW IN 1990, Gimpod/Sonic Caps/Mills RDO-198
    POLK CSI-A6 POLK MONITOR 70'S ONKYO TX NR-808 SONY CDP-333ES
    PIONEER PL-510A SONY BDP S5100
    POLK SDA 1C BOUGHT USED 2011,Gimpod/Sonic Caps/Mills RDO-194
    ONKYO HT RC-360 SONY BDP S590 TECHNICS SL BD-1
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  • charley95
    charley95 Posts: 908
    edited November 2012
    tophatjohnny wrote: »
    I know it's tricky, but is it also a complete no no?? Found a pair in CA and am in talks of shipping. While the current owner has the original box, I doubt UPS would handle them with any kind of love. Am I right?? And is there advise to give a shipper in advance to insure a safe delivery of something like this??
    Why not come to Peoria,Il. and take a look at my 2.3's that I have for sale. Much closer to you and you could load them up and be back home by mid-night the same day. They can be seen here in the "for sale" section.
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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited November 2012
    Now there's a good idea! Better speakers and it'll probably cost you less.
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited November 2012
    nspindel wrote: »
    Now there's a good idea! Better speakers and it'll probably cost you less.

    Yeah if he's not married to the ones he's looking at these are a MUCH better deal, especially since they have had the tweets replaced, and have a set of Gimpods boards ready and waiting.

    Here is the For Sale ad: http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?133941-Sda-srs-2.3
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • tophatjohnny
    tophatjohnny Posts: 4,182
    edited November 2012
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    Yeah if he's not married to the ones he's looking at these are a MUCH better deal, especially since they have had the tweets replaced, and have a set of Gimpods boards ready and waiting.my

    Here is the For Sale ad: http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?133941-Sda-srs-2.3

    How hard is the Gimrod board to install?? If I hear "not that hard" then my Illinois brother (from another mother) needs to get crack-a-lacking and install away! I may be the crazy cat to find the way to a road trip at that point!!
    "if it's not fun, it's not worth it & remember folks, "It's All About The Music"!!
    *****************************
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  • Schurkey
    Schurkey Posts: 2,101
    edited November 2012
    tophatjohnny wrote: »
    I may be the crazy cat to find the way to a road trip at that point!!
    Those speakers would already be sold if it wasn't a 30-hour adventure for me.
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  • tophatjohnny
    tophatjohnny Posts: 4,182
    edited November 2012
    Schurkey wrote: »
    Those speakers would already be sold if it wasn't a 30-hour adventure for me.


    It may take me about that too!! ????:razz:
    "if it's not fun, it's not worth it & remember folks, "It's All About The Music"!!
    *****************************
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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited November 2012
    Have a look at how I mounted the boards in my 4.1TL's:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?137026-My-new-4.1TL-s-are-complete!
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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  • charley95
    charley95 Posts: 908
    edited November 2012
    tophatjohnny wrote: »
    It may take me about that too!! ????:razz:
    PM sent.
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  • charley95
    charley95 Posts: 908
    edited November 2012
    Schurkey wrote: »
    Those speakers would already be sold if it wasn't a 30-hour adventure for me.
    I drove about 15 hours to pick them up from Loud & Clear in Ann Arbor.
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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited November 2012
    Go for the 2.3's. don't piss away a lot of money on shipping. Buy the better speakers, closer to home. No brainier.
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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  • nikonik
    nikonik Posts: 120
    edited November 2012
    If it's what you want, check into Uship. I used Uship and had PennAntique ship my SDA SRS from TN to WA. I think it was a 2500 mile trip and w the price of gas, 475 was good enough for me. UPS has a weight limit of 150 and Im not sure of size but I would stay away unless it is packed very well. As I mentioned, if the color,condition or generation meet your needs, go for it. We all piss away money on other stuff and hesitate on big items but you may end up being happy like me. I almost bought a second set last month too but it was a 7.5 hr trip one way and got some bids on Uship for about 180. The seller didn't want to take paypal so it didnt happen. They were the 1.2TL! Another set will show up and I'll piss away more money!
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  • deronb1
    deronb1 Posts: 5,021
    edited November 2012
    What are you going to do with your 2Bs
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  • charley95
    charley95 Posts: 908
    edited November 2012
    nspindel wrote: »
    Go for the 2.3's. don't piss away a lot of money on shipping. Buy the better speakers, closer to home. No brainier.
    They are still for sale!
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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited November 2012
    tophat, let me make sure you understand what you're looking at here. SDA1's are great speakers. I owned modded 1C's up until a month ago. But 2.3's will blow them away. charley95 has a pair of 2.3's that are a 5 hour drive away from you. he's asking $850 for them. that includes $300 worth of upgraded tweeters. i would be shocked if you could pay your seller and ship the 1's from cali for anything close to $550. if you can arrange to pick them up, the 2.3's are a much better deal, and much better speakers. the decision here is a no brainer. i'm not trying to twist your arm, i have no affiliation with charley95, but the choice is just so obvious. you're so much better off putting the extra money into better speakers than into shipping SDA1's halfway across the country.

    charley95, can you meet him in the middle somewhere and cut his drive in half?
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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  • Oldfatdogs
    Oldfatdogs Posts: 1,874
    edited November 2012
    I have to agree with nspindel here Johnny.I have the 1Cs I love them, however if those 2.3s were anywhere close to me I would be chasing them down.
    Dan
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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited November 2012
    I also just noticed that charley95 is also including a pair of Tony's boards. That's another $100 right there.
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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  • charley95
    charley95 Posts: 908
    edited November 2012
    Actually I'm asking $800. He answered my PM earlier today and mentioned he had hip surgery and wouldn't be able to make the trip at this time. I would be able to meet halfway but he would have to cover my fuel costs. I just don't get it, I get all these PM's showing sincere interest and then they back pedal on me. Like I said in another post, I don't need to sell, I just want to sell. The SDA effect will never work in my very small house. I don't want to jack with E-Bay or let some tire kicking Craigslist stranger in my house. My music interests have totally faded is the other reason for wanting to sell. If the music bug ever bites me in the future, I have some old 15TL's in the closet. Thanks everone for plugging my sale!
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