Sda 3.1 tl

2

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  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
    edited October 2013
    genjivn wrote: »
    And I get them for $675. Not bad hehe

    Good score, you wont be sorry!
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  • drumminman
    drumminman Posts: 3,396
    edited October 2013
    Congrats - let the mods begin!
    "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: 50,557
    edited October 2013
    Enjoy!
    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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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,416
    edited October 2013
    For 675.00 I would say you did alright for yourself. The 3.1's are considered one of the better SDA speakers, and upgrading their performance is much cheaper than doing that work on the larger models. I look forward to your impressions, and seeing some pictures once you get them set up.

    Congrats!
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • chandler9a
    chandler9a Posts: 878
    edited October 2013
    Congrats, I too would like to hear your impressions on that model. I would love to own these some day, I have never seen them for sale in my parts though.

    Get those tweeters upgraded when you can, its a must.
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  • pglbook
    pglbook Posts: 2,222
    edited October 2013
    Congratulations on a great pair of speakers!! Enjoy!
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  • genjivn
    genjivn Posts: 101
    edited October 2013
    Currently I use the yamaha Z11 to drive these speakers without the SDA IC cable due to the common ground issue. I am not sure if the yamaha is a common ground amp and do not want to cause any damage to such a nice receiver and of course the 3.1TL. Sent yamaha customer support an email and waiting for their response. The RPA-2 that I have is a dual mono design and I highly doubt that it is a common type amp. Asked Emotiva also, let see how they reply. In the mean time, I just have to enjoy the SDA without the "SDA" :-(.
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  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited October 2013
    Congrats! Enjoy those 3.1TL's (and get the RD0-198's and Sonicaps/Duelund Cast resistors for the crossovers). :smile:
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
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  • bluecomet
    bluecomet Posts: 1,118
    edited October 2013
    The Yamaha is common ground. I would use the IC cable. I have used my 3.1tl's with similiar Yamaha receivers. Enjoy your speakers. I think you got a good deal. Like all SDA's placement is critical. I upgraded mine to the RDO 198 tweets and thought they made an improvement. It's an easy upgrade.
    Polk HT system 1: LSIC, LSI25 mains, LSI F/X rears, Lsi F/X rear centers,
    Yamaha RX-V2500 System, Carver A753 3 channel amp.

    Polk HT system 2: , SRT system with f/x 1,000's rear speakers on 7.1 system currently using Onkyo TX-RZ820 receiver, powered by Sunfire Grand Theater amp

    Polk Speaker collection: SDA SRS 1.2tl x 2, SRT system, SDA SRS 2 P/B, SDA 2A, SDA 1C Studio, SDA CRS+, Monitor 7B & 4, SRS 3.1tl, RTA 15tl, LS90, LSI 9
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  • genjivn
    genjivn Posts: 101
    edited October 2013
    Some pictures for you guys.

    IMG_0596.jpg
    IMG_0603.jpg
    IMG_0599.jpg
    IMG_0596.jpg
    IMG_0603.jpg
    IMG_0606.jpg
    IMG_0599.jpg
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  • zane77
    zane77 Posts: 1,696
    edited October 2013
    They look tone in really nice condition, have fun and enjoy
    Home Theater
    Onkyo PR-SC5508 Sharp LC-70LE847U
    Emotiva XPA-5 Emotiva XPA-2 Emotiva UPA-2
    Front RTi-A9 Wide RTi-A7 Center CSi-A6 Surround FXi-A6 Rear RTi-A3 Sub 2x PSW505
    Sony BDP-S790 Dishnetwork Hopper/Joey Logitech Harmony One Apple TV
    Two Channel
    Oppo 105D BAT VK-500 w/BatPack SDA SRS 2.3 Dreadnought Squeezebox Touch Apple TV
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,416
    edited October 2013
    The Yammy is common ground... Enjoy!
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • genjivn
    genjivn Posts: 101
    edited October 2013
    Bluecomet, nooshinjohn
    Thanks for the tip. I connect the sda cable and my yammy is still alive.
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  • genjivn
    genjivn Posts: 101
    edited October 2013
    I am taking my wife out for shopping on Columbus day so I do not have time to do serious listening. But so far the result is quite positive. I am glad that I picked these up. When I was listening to them at the owner's place I did not quite like them. He was running them with an adcom pre and an old carver amp. While the soundstage is huge, the bass is tight, the high end is a bit dark and some mid freq are a bit muddy. I told myself that maybe it is the equipments that he uses and thank god I was right. My yamaha drives them just fine.

    My couch is about 8 to 10 feet from the speakers and while it was fine with the lsi, I feel overwhelmed by the SDA, just like sitting too close to the screen in a movie theater.
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  • markamerica
    markamerica Posts: 203
    edited October 2013
    Genjivn,

    Good purchase. Speakers look to be in nice condition, and not an unreasonable price. Last pair of 3.1s that came up for sale in my general area went for $900, so I'd say you did fine. Congrats, and listen to them often. The more you enjoy them, the more they are worth whatever you pay for them.
    SDA SRS, SDA SRS1.2TL, SDA-1C,SDA 2B, Soundcraftsmen Amplification (A5002s, MA5002s, MA5002As)
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  • leftwinger57
    leftwinger57 Posts: 2,917
    edited October 2013
    Genjivn, I would not be the true judge on your specific set of speakers. Seeing what the consensous is and w/ Jesse being the arbitor of all things SDA I would say you did good . Being an owner of '87 2Bs is not enough of a scope of a line to say yes or no.Now w/ doing some mods on mine and if the intention is to bring these up to a fully modded set these could wind up being an "heirloom" type of speaker, only to the kids they go. Mine at $50 were the deal of 2013 w/ no cat scratch fever,all drivers working and started the mod process.Pictures of before and after to follow and you will see how a grand set of speakers you have but will become something better.I was not as forthcoming and just didn't get it but each mod is an improvement ,and so far I have gone the most economical routes possible , free ,trades and a barter then eventually when they come into stock the RDO -194 tweeters and VR-3x-overs.
    2chl- Adcom GFA- 555-Onkyo P-3150v pre/amp- JVC-QL-A200 tt- Denon 1940 ci cdp- Adcom GFS-6 -Modded '87 SDA 2Bs - Dynamat Ext.- BH-5- X-Overs VR-3, RDO-194 tweeters, Larry's Rings, Speakon/Neutrik I/C- Cherry stain tops Advent Maestros,Ohm model E

    H/T- Toshiba au40" flat- Yamaha RX- V665 avr- YSD-11 Dock- I-Pod- Klipsch #400HD Speaker set-

    Bdrm- Nikko 6065 receiver- JBL -G-200s--Pioneer 305 headphones--Sony CE375-5 disc
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  • genjivn
    genjivn Posts: 101
    edited October 2013
    bluecomet wrote: »
    The Yamaha is common ground. I would use the IC cable. I have used my 3.1tl's with similiar Yamaha receivers. Enjoy your speakers. I think you got a good deal. Like all SDA's placement is critical. I upgraded mine to the RDO 198 tweets and thought they made an improvement. It's an easy upgrade.
    Does upgrading the tweeter to the rdo-198 require crossover update as well? Thanks.
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  • teekay0007
    teekay0007 Posts: 2,289
    edited October 2013
    genjivn wrote: »
    Does upgrading the tweeter to the rdo-198 require crossover update as well? Thanks.

    With SDA 3.1TLs, no it does not.
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  • bigaltx24
    bigaltx24 Posts: 141
    edited October 2013
    Nice set of SDAs, I wouldn't have hesitated at that price.
    Denon PMA-900V
    Linn Axis with Grado Red
    Cambridge Azur 650C
    Polk SDA-1BTL
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  • genjivn
    genjivn Posts: 101
    edited October 2013
    Thanks. So I guess the next step is contacting Helen and ordering a set.
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  • genjivn
    genjivn Posts: 101
    edited October 2013
    Is there anyone who prefers the sound of the old SL-3000 than the new RDO 198? Might be a silly question but I have seen a few memebers who keep their SDAs unmodified.
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  • NJPOLKER
    NJPOLKER Posts: 3,474
    edited October 2013
    genjivn wrote: »
    Is there anyone who prefers the sound of the old SL-3000 than the new RDO 198? Might be a silly question but I have seen a few memebers who keep their SDAs unmodified.

    There was one guy but he was banned a few years ago LMAO

    Spend a hundred or so and buy them immediately.

    Enjoy them for now then enjoy them more when the RDO's arrive then do a few upgrades and enjoy the mods one at a time. It's kind of like having new speakers all the time.

    I do not believe you or anyone can find better speaker for cost than the SDA's.

    Where are you from?
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  • PolkieMan
    PolkieMan Posts: 2,446
    edited October 2013
    The crossovers are a piece of cake to do on these. If it was 1990 I would say wait a while and do it but it's 13+ years and Polk did not have and did not use the best components for them anyway. The difference for me in the mid range and bass was as much as the tweeters.
    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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  • genjivn
    genjivn Posts: 101
    edited October 2013
    That is my plan, buy the tweeters first then will spend some money on the crossover upgrade. This is my first experience with the SL 3000 and I like them very much, not complaining so far.
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  • genjivn
    genjivn Posts: 101
    edited October 2013
    I am from Houston
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  • DarqueKnight
    DarqueKnight Posts: 6,765
    edited October 2013
    Congrats on a rare find in great condition.

    There are so many wonderful things to do to a set of SRS SDAs:

    1. Custom woodwork.
    2. Lighter, thinner grille cloth.
    3. RD tweeters.
    4. Dynamat the drivers and passives.
    5. Armacell gaskets for drivers, tweeters and passives.
    6. Replace internal wiring.
    7. Replace crossover board.
    8. Replace crossover resistors, capacitors, and inductors.
    9. Custom binding post plate.
    10. Custom interconnect cable.
    11. Steel rings for drivers, tweeters and passives.
    12. Upgrade binding posts.
    13. Upgrade binding post jumpers.

    Have fun and post lots of pics as you progress.:cool:
    Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country!
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,557
    edited October 2013
    Is there anyone who prefers the sound of the old SL-3000 than the new RDO 198?

    No. The guy NJPOLKER referred to was using SL2000's in different speakers, not SL3000's. He was also compeletly out of his mind.
    I have seen a few memebers who keep their SDAs unmodified.

    They have no idea what they are missing.
    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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  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited October 2013
    F1nut wrote: »
    They have no idea what they are missing.

    Agreed. I have heard the before and after effects of modifying some SDA 2B's (to SDA 2BTL's) SDA SRS 3.1TL's (with sonicaps/mills) and SDA SRS 2.3TL's (with gimpod's boards, Clarity Cap ESA's and Duelund Cast resistors, new inductors, Larry's rings, and spikes and the difference in the produced sound was astounding. People do not know what these speakers are capable of until they do the mods. That is not up for debate, that is a fact.
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....

    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
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  • DarqueKnight
    DarqueKnight Posts: 6,765
    edited October 2013
    headrott wrote: »
    People do not know what these speakers are capable of until they do the mods. That is not up for debate, that is a fact.

    Some people have the mindset that, "if these mods were so great, the manufacturer would have done them" and "doing all these mods means you end up with something that is totally different from what the manufacturer intended". They are wrong on both counts. They don't realize that most of the mods we do were/are recommended by Polk's engineering department and/or Matthew Polk himself!.

    The vast majority of mass produced goods represent a compromise between what was designed and what could be profitably and efficiently manufactured. Corners have to be cut to meet price points. As long as you do modifications that work within the original design specifications, you are actually moving closer to the original engineering design and performance rather than away from it.
    Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country!
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  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,068
    edited October 2013
    genjivn wrote: »
    IWhile the soundstage is huge, the bass is tight, the high end is a bit dark and some mid freq are a bit muddy. I told myself that maybe it is the equipments that he uses and thank god I was right. My yamaha drives them just fine.

    My couch is about 8 to 10 feet from the speakers and while it was fine with the lsi, I feel overwhelmed by the SDA, just like sitting too close to the screen in a movie theater.

    Equipment definitely makes a difference but you will find that many SQ issues on older SDA's are related to the XO components simply wearing out. Putting a couple hundred into them now to upgrade the XO's and tweeters will have them singing a completely new (and awesome) tune in 200-300 hours after burn-in. Nice purchase! Enjoy!
    ____________________________________________________________

    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
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