New speaker trajectory . . ."They" say there's life after SDA . . .

GlennDog
GlennDog Posts: 3,120
edited May 2014 in 2 Channel Audio
We shall see if there's life after the SRS 2s & SDA-2Bs (original owner) . . .

I've listened to, and personally owned nothing else but these 2 models for a very, very long time. Well, there was a pair of AR bookshelves early-on And some B&Ws that I cannot remember the model # and the Legacy's for a very short while. Anyway, the SDAs dominate (and I mean dominate!) my listening experience. Almost 30 years worth!!

I'm not sure what the new speaker world has in store for me, but I've Officially Dipped My Toe in the Water . . . This week I'll be taking delivery of a little known (at least in My World), locally hand-crafted, high-quality speaker that sounds awesome (in their shop, their system etc)

I just hope in My home, with My system they sound just as good (or better!)

Build quality & customer service is 2nd to none, I'm confident of that . . .

I tried taking pictures but they stroke. Here are 3 great pix from the Salk site. . . . I'm excited!!

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=125655.0
AC Regenerator PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
Source Lumin U1 Mini into Lampizator Baltic 4 DAC
Pre Cary SLP-05
Power Rogue M180 Dark monos
Mains Salk HT2-TL
Rythmik F12
Post edited by GlennDog on
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Comments

  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,086
    edited May 2014
    Those cabinets! :eek: The paint looks automotive quality, very very nice.

    Prediction: SDA's win. :lol:
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,497
    edited May 2014
    Kewl! Congrats on your SongTower QWT's Glenn! He had those at Axpona. Great finish and price! Love my Salk’s.

    P4250137.jpg

    st-candyappleburgundy.jpg
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • Dennis Gardner
    Dennis Gardner Posts: 4,861
    edited May 2014
    Those look sweet with the automotive finish.....very modern. Using those speakers in a setup like the SDAs are used (back against the wall, facing straight ahead) those speakers will fail in comparison. They will like it best 3-5 feet into the room with the gear placed totally away from all sides of the speakers and toed into your sweet spot. They rarely get used in an optimum way unless you have a dedicated listening space with lots of space behind the speakers.

    People claim that SDAs are hard to setup, but I find that as long as you have a flat wall to use that is wide enough, they actually hide themselves along that wall and simply "do their stuff" in a way that no other speaker can in that setup.
    HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable

    2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,497
    edited May 2014
    I'm betting Glenn would have received a speaker birth certificate signed by the staff, demo CD, microfiber cloth and instructions on placement. It's a great experience. Oh, usually a choice of two spike designs in two colors as well.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • GlennDog
    GlennDog Posts: 3,120
    edited May 2014
    Nightfall wrote: »
    Those cabinets! :eek: The paint looks automotive quality, very very nice.

    Prediction: SDA's win. :lol:

    It Is An Automotive Finish aka Hellfire, an it is truly impressive! Also convenient is that it come close to matching the chassis of my Sweet Little Pre

    My virtual life long SDA listening habbits may not yield to any other SQ siggy . . but I'm open to experimentation! (not the 1st time) LOL

    I'm still exited . . .
    AC Regenerator PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
    Source Lumin U1 Mini into Lampizator Baltic 4 DAC
    Pre Cary SLP-05
    Power Rogue M180 Dark monos
    Mains Salk HT2-TL
    Rythmik F12
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,497
    edited May 2014
    Didn't you end up with the SRS 2's I had once upon a time? I'm getting old....memory issues....lol
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • GlennDog
    GlennDog Posts: 3,120
    edited May 2014
    Dennis Gardner wrote: »
    Those look sweet with the automotive finish.....very modern. Using those speakers in a setup like the SDAs are used (back against the wall, facing straight ahead) those speakers will fail in comparison. They will like it best 3-5 feet into the room with the gear placed totally away from all sides of the speakers and toed into your sweet spot. They rarely get used in an optimum way unless you have a dedicated listening space with lots of space behind the speakers.

    We shall see. . . Salk says no toe-in and Minimum 10 inches from rear wall, with these smaller towers, compared to the SS8s. I will concede that prolly more is Mo Better. More toe-in diminishes the "sweet spot"
    Dennis Gardner wrote: »
    I find that as long as you have a flat wall to use that is wide enough, they actually hide themselves along that wall and simply "do their stuff" in a way that no other speaker can in that setup.

    This I agree with, easy-peasy . . . FanTastic Engineering
    AC Regenerator PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
    Source Lumin U1 Mini into Lampizator Baltic 4 DAC
    Pre Cary SLP-05
    Power Rogue M180 Dark monos
    Mains Salk HT2-TL
    Rythmik F12
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  • GlennDog
    GlennDog Posts: 3,120
    edited May 2014
    SCompRacer wrote: »
    Didn't you end up with the SRS 2's I had once upon a time? I'm getting old....memory issues....lol

    Yes Sir, and they are still as enjoyable as ever . . . .
    AC Regenerator PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
    Source Lumin U1 Mini into Lampizator Baltic 4 DAC
    Pre Cary SLP-05
    Power Rogue M180 Dark monos
    Mains Salk HT2-TL
    Rythmik F12
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  • Dennis Gardner
    Dennis Gardner Posts: 4,861
    edited May 2014
    Interested to hear how much you like them after you've spent some time with them and then put the SDAs back into the mix.
    HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable

    2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable
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  • GlennDog
    GlennDog Posts: 3,120
    edited May 2014
    [QUOTE=Dennis Gardner;those speakers will fail in comparison.[/QUOTE]

    I've already conceded 30+ years of great SDA sound quality . . . . there just might be something else on the other side
    AC Regenerator PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
    Source Lumin U1 Mini into Lampizator Baltic 4 DAC
    Pre Cary SLP-05
    Power Rogue M180 Dark monos
    Mains Salk HT2-TL
    Rythmik F12
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,557
    edited May 2014
    Sure r purdy!
    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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  • Loud & Clear
    Loud & Clear Posts: 1,538
    edited May 2014
    Nice score, Glenn. Those look awesome. It takes a lot of speaker to push the SRS2's aside. Interested to see how this plays out.

    Two Channel Setup:

    Speakers: Wharfedale Opus 2-3
    Integrated Amp: Krell S-300i
    DAC: Arcam irDac
    Source: iMac
    Remote Control: iPad Mini

    3.2 Home Theater Setup:

    Fronts: Klipsch RP-160M
    Center: Klipsch RP-160M
    Subwoofer: SVS PB12NSD (X 2)
    AVR: Yamaha Aventage RX-A2030
    Blu Ray: Sony BDP-S790
    TV Source: DirecTV Genie
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,963
    edited May 2014
    If you guys noticed Jim Salk's response to Glen after he inquired about them, he offered to opened up the factory for him on a weekend when it was closed for him to audition. A testament to Jim's outstanding dedication to his customers.

    Congrats on the speaks bro, Jim makes an outstanding product.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • Oldfatdogs
    Oldfatdogs Posts: 1,874
    edited May 2014
    Very nice Glen,it will be interesting how they compare after all the years of SDAs.
    Enjoy.

    Dan
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  • ZLTFUL
    ZLTFUL Posts: 5,648
    edited May 2014
    Gotta say that I am a huge fan of Jim Salk's work and his involvement directly with his customers. Probably my favorite aspect of his business is his willingness to give a customer exactly what they want...at a price of course.
    "Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."

    "Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,497
    edited May 2014
    GlennDog wrote: »

    I just hope in My home, with My system they sound just as good (or better!)

    It took a day but I was reminded that my Salk's sounded a lot better in the demo than when I first set them up at home. That large open space of his reduces room interaction so you get a wonderful presentation of what they are capable of. My first placement efforts were disappointing (a 10-15dB sag in the mids) but I kept moving, listening and measuring until I arrived at what I heard at his factory.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited May 2014
    Rich... I know your somewhat a purist... but have you ever considered throwing a MiniDSP in the mix to help you EQ (with software) the curve and room response you want?

    They make a 2x4 (2 in 4 out) that would work wonderfully for you to use with your stereo subs and Salk speakers....
    "....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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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,497
    edited May 2014
    Dan, yeah, purist fits. I've tried room EQ with the ESL's using a modded Behringer. I also have that option in the digital realm with JRiver. I prefer to get the best balance by speaker placement and room treatment due to playing vinyl and digital. I prefer my vinyl playback untouched by any further processing. I got things fairly well dialed in. Not ruler flat but more than acceptable.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited May 2014
    SCompRacer wrote: »
    Dan, yeah, purist fits. I've tried room EQ with the ESL's using a modded Behringer. I also have that option in the digital realm with JRiver. I prefer to get the best balance by speaker placement and room treatment due to playing vinyl and digital. I prefer my vinyl playback untouched by any further processing. I got things fairly well dialed in. Not ruler flat but more than acceptable.

    Gotcha. I can understand that you try it first with speaker placement and room treatment, but if you are still limited after that you can always use JRiver like you said....

    I mentioned the MiniDSP because paired with one of their UMIK-1 mic's you can use REW to plot the actual room response and then load that into the MiniDSP and it can attempt to autocorrect any nulls and peaks for you. You can then tweak it even further yourself...

    But this was all assuming you still had some issues you weren't able to address and this is not the case.
    "....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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  • boston1450
    boston1450 Posts: 7,639
    edited May 2014
    Nice looking speakers Glenn. Love the gloss shiny look. Hope they sound as good as they look.
    ..
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  • voltz
    voltz Posts: 5,384
    edited May 2014
    Congrats Glen :) there looking really nice! and a good match for that pre.
    2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge

    HT - Polk 703's * NAD T-758 * Adcom 5503 * Oppo 103 * Samsung 60" series 8 LCD
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  • Thorton
    Thorton Posts: 1,324
    edited May 2014
    From one Motowner to another, congratulations. I saw those at Axpona and they looked great. I wasn't able to hear them but I heard their two larger siblings and they sounded great. Enjoy.
    _____________________________________________________________________________________________
    Ethernet Filter: GigaFOILv4 with Keces P3 LPS
    Source: Roon via ethernet to DAC interface
    DAC: Bricasti M1SE
    Pre/Pro: Marantz AV8805
    Tube Preamp Buffer: Tortuga TPB.V1
    Amp1: Nord One NC1200DM Signature, Amp2: W4S MC-5, AMP3: W4S MMC-7
    Front: Salk SoundScape 8's, Center: Salk SoundScape C7
    Surround: Polk FXIA6, Surround Back: Polk RTIA9, Atmos: Polk 70-RT
    Subs: 2 - Rythmik F25's
    IC & Speaker Cables: Acoustic Zen, Wireworld, Signal Cable
    Power Cables: Acoustic Zen, Wireworld, PS Audio
    Room Treatments: GIK Acoustics
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  • GlennDog
    GlennDog Posts: 3,120
    edited May 2014
    After a long day of work, house work and yard work I swapped out the speakers for an initial listen . . . I Am Pleased!!

    There is so much sound from these little towers . . . . little towers compared to the SRS 2s, they're about 50% less mass. These little suckers pack a punch!

    The first album in, was "double vision" by Bob James and David Samborn then an album called "move to this" by Cathy Dennis and a custom-made sampler CD by Jim Salk himself w/ various artists ...really nice recordings... Now Kirk Whalum's "unconditional"

    My initial placement of the speakers?? I think I lucked out ...about 10 inches from the back wall & 8 feet apart and it sounds awesome

    At low listening levels it sounds great! but the Aleph 30 can only put out so much ... and I really want to crank it ...more thoughts to follow
    AC Regenerator PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
    Source Lumin U1 Mini into Lampizator Baltic 4 DAC
    Pre Cary SLP-05
    Power Rogue M180 Dark monos
    Mains Salk HT2-TL
    Rythmik F12
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,963
    edited May 2014
    What you need son....is a mans amp. LOL

    Congrats bro, the Salk signature sound is certainly agreeable. Not to mention the WAF is about oh...100 time better than the SDA's.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • GlennDog
    GlennDog Posts: 3,120
    edited May 2014
    tonyb wrote: »
    What you need son....is a mans amp. LOL

    Funny you should mention that, because I have a couple of things in the works . . . But until then . . .

    This weekend I'll be hooking up my Adcom 5802 and running some good clean solid-state through that and then

    I'm going to try some Nice Ice power with the good EVS 500 Ric Shulz design. This should be interesting!!

    G
    AC Regenerator PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
    Source Lumin U1 Mini into Lampizator Baltic 4 DAC
    Pre Cary SLP-05
    Power Rogue M180 Dark monos
    Mains Salk HT2-TL
    Rythmik F12
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  • oldrocker
    oldrocker Posts: 2,590
    edited May 2014
    WOW, those are some eye candy. Very NICE indeed!!!
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