SDA 2A issues

hochpt21

Hello all,

I followed the handbook to test my SDA's and when I turn the balance knob to the left, only the dimensional driver on the right channel does anything....ok good.

But, when I turn the balance to the right, the left speaker does nothing at all.

Also, when I have the balance centered all the drivers work.

Interconnect cable issue?
Internal wiring issue?

I'm lost, any help would be appreciated.

Paul

hochpt21

And would it make sense that given the above, my left soundstage is huge and the speaker has disappeared, but the right side is coming straight from the speaker with no soundstage whatsoever?

The center image is there...

westmassguy

Sounds like the interconnect cable, or plugs and sockets are the culprit. On the 2As, like all the older 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation SDAs, both conductors carry signal. Pull the PRs, and check the connections on the rear of the blade/blade connectors, make sure the internal wiring is secured, then check continuity end to end on the cable.

dromunds

Paul, I'll send you the NIB cable I recently picked up from Doro if you want to try that one and see if it makes any difference.

hochpt21

Thank you Dromunds. I'll try to tear into them tonight or tommorrow to check the wiring as noted above and then may take you up on that offer.

hochpt21

westmassguy wrote: »

Sounds like the interconnect cable, or plugs and sockets are the culprit. On the 2As, like all the older 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation SDAs, both conductors carry signal. Pull the PRs, and check the connections on the rear of the blade/blade connectors, make sure the internal wiring is secured, then check continuity end to end on the cable.

Thanks a ton for you help today westmass...

So here's what happened.

When I initially tested the speakers, the interconnect cable fit very snuggly into the left channel. It also fit into the right channel and stuck there but wasn't as snug. When doing the test as stated above the dimensional speaker on the left did not work.

I received the new interconnect cable from dromunds. Neither of the connections fit very tight and when doing the white noise test neither of the dimensional drivers worked.

I was like, "What the heck is going on," and hooked the original older cable back in, did the test again and wham...both dimensional drivers work. So it seems like everything is working and I just have a bad connection with the interconnect cable.

I have some deoxit on order and am hoping that will help establish a better/consistent connection.

hochpt21

And yes, tar suit on so get the feathers ready, but I was listening for a couple months not realizing that one of the dimensional drivers was not functioning.

Having never heard SDA before it was difficult to tell what I was supposed to be hearing, and to be honest, the speakers sounded very good...but after getting both dimensional drivers functioning, it was VERY EASY to tell what had been missing. It is almost laughable now, after the fact.

Regardless, I feel like a little kid and can't wait to get more listening in, and hopefully I can keep that cable with a good connection for now.

boston1450

Sounds like it was a easy fix. Thats awesome man. Now time to enjoy them

F1nut

That blade/blade socket is prone to failure. The internal contacts become weak with age, Deoxit will not fix the problem. You'd be better off removing it and installing Neutrik connections.

westmassguy

hochpt21 wrote: »

Thanks a ton for you help today westmass...

So here's what happened.

When I initially tested the speakers, the interconnect cable fit very snuggly into the left channel. It also fit into the right channel and stuck there but wasn't as snug. When doing the test as stated above the dimensional speaker on the left did not work.

I received the new interconnect cable from dromunds. Neither of the connections fit very tight and when doing the white noise test neither of the dimensional drivers worked.

I was like, "What the heck is going on," and hooked the original older cable back in, did the test again and wham...both dimensional drivers work. So it seems like everything is working and I just have a bad connection with the interconnect cable.

I have some deoxit on order and am hoping that will help establish a better/consistent connection.

More than welcome Paul. Always a pleasure speaking with a fellow Polkie. Try the DeoxIT as I said, to hold you over. If and when you're ready, I'd be happy to make up the SpeakON Sockets with pig tails, and a new Cable.

leftwinger57

Westmassguy, hmmmmm sound somewhat familar to ya.Oh, btw what are we doing up so early.Me I hear birds chirpping then the garbage guys it's over Johnny.

westmassguy

Hey Lew. Always up early, Even in my much, much younger days, when I was out bar hopping with my buddies. Eyes were road maps, but always up early for work.

zane77

Take WMG up on the Speakons, great upgrade, or you could do it yourself. It's really not that hard.

PreCd

What does upgrading to Speakons consist of? I am still running the stock cable.

westmassguy

SpeakON plugs and sockets are the standard now for all Pro Gear. Reason being, they're pretty much indestructible. Once inserted and locked, they'll never fall out accidentally, and the internal connections are spring loaded and self cleaning. When used to replace the blade/blade or pin/blade connectors, you're replacing failure prone, mediocre connectors with foolproof connectors that will last a lifetime in this application. You can use pretty much any quality cable you want, as long as it fits through the compression nut on the plug. I use 10 gauge OFC, but the list is endless. Whatever your favorite brand or style cable you prefer can be adapted for use with the SpeakONs.

TennMan

Westmassguy made an IC cable for me with the SpeakON connectors when he upgraded my crossovers. The SpeakON connectors are heavy duty and should be very durable. Plugging them in is idiot proof so you can't connect them wrong. I like the way they snap into place when you get them aligned correctly eliminating any chance for them to accidentally come loose. Highly recommend the SpeakONs and westmassguy. You should take him put on his offer to make the IC cable for you.

westmassguy

TennMan wrote: »

Westmassguy made an IC cable for me with the SpeakON connectors when he upgraded my crossovers. The SpeakON connectors are heavy duty and should be very durable. Plugging them in is idiot proof so you can't connect them wrong. I like the way they snap into place when you get them aligned correctly eliminating any chance for them to accidentally come loose. Highly recommend the SpeakONs and westmassguy. You should take him put on his offer to make the IC cable for you.

Thanks Ronnie. Glad your babies are rocking now with the other mod too.