Going Rate for SDAs?

scubalab
scubalab Posts: 3,103
in Speakers
I may be helping someone sell some SDAs. I'm not sure of the exact model but based on a picture and the little information I have from them, I think they may be the SDA SRS 1.2TLs. They are BIG (184 lbs each), and were supposedly $3000 when new. They have 4 tweeters and 8 drivers on top, a big crossover cover plate in the middle, and a woofer on the bottom. Condition is close to mint and the connecting cable is included.

I don't know much about the SDAs but have heard great things here in the forum about them. I have nothing powerful enough to drive them... :( nor do I have the space, otherwise, I'd consider keeping them for myself.

What's a fair asking price if they are the SRS 1.2 TLs in great condition?

Once I get more info on them, I can update.
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Comments

  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,734
    That's not a woofer at the bottom.

    Prices are all over the place. You can check past sales on eBay to get some idea.
    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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  • scubalab
    scubalab Posts: 3,103
    Thanks for the reply Jesse. So, is it a passive radiator on the bottom?

    I did confirm that they are SDA-SRS, and a serial number on the right one is 4130. Could that narrow down the model? I'm thinking they're the 1.2 or1.2TL, but was hoping someone with more knowledge could help.

    Checking prices on Ebay and CL, you're right, they are all over. Ebay sold listings had 3 - one set sold for $815, another set for $1325, and a third set for $2500! Found two CL sales within 500 miles or so and both were asking between $1600 and $1700.

    Would a fair asking price be around $1400?
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  • gimpod
    gimpod Posts: 1,793
    edited November 2014
    Welcome Club Polk (The "My Little Kitty" Version).

    If your SRS's have a blade/Blade cable there the original 2nd gen SRS's
    If the cable is a Pin/Blade there ether 1.2's or 1.2TL's, The 1.2TL's will have the SL-3000 tweeter (they have a foam like ring around the dome)

    Here's a link that might help SDA ID

    BTW: If your in my neck of the woods and seeing how you have no room for them I'll be really nice and take them off your hands for say $100.00 delivered. o:)
    “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” ~ Mark Twain
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,734
    edited November 2014
    Yes, it is a passive radiator.

    From your description so far they could be the SDA SRS, SDA SRS 1.2 or the SDA SRS 1.2TL. Polk serial numbers don't mean much. Get some good pictures with the grill off and a close up of the back label/binding post area.
    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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  • Msabot1
    Msabot1 Posts: 2,098
    I'm kind of curious...not hijacking the post...but with all the models of SDA that were manufactured during their production run,how come Polk didn't make the IC connection uniform with all the models? Probably a stupid question..but I have always wondered why ......
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,734
    Polk switched from the blade/blade to the pin/blade when they changed the circuit to be able to use the AI-1. If they had kept the blade/blade folks may have tried to use the AI-1 on models that could not use it.
    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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  • gimpod
    gimpod Posts: 1,793
    edited November 2014
    SDA's were always being improved and updated throughout there production hence the 20+ different variants.

    But to answer your question the first, second & third gen SDA's used the blade/Blade I.C where each connector carried a signal. Starting with the fourth gen they switch to a new crossover design that only required 1 connector to carry the Interaural Crosstalk signal.
    “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” ~ Mark Twain
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  • scubalab
    scubalab Posts: 3,103
    Jesse - thanks again for the tips. I'll have to check them out more closely and get some pics.

    Gimpod - thanks for the welcome! I've actually been here for several years (well before the Hello Kitty version of the forum - like that BTW) just don't post all that much. I'll have to check out your link later.

    Msabot1 - not hijacking... Contributing! :# This is all a learning experience.

    From what I've heard so far here and in other threads, I'd love to keep these for myself if only I had something capable of giving them the power they need as well as the real estate they need to truly do what they are intended to!

    Thanks again all. Will add more as I get the info. Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

    -Al
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  • scubalab
    scubalab Posts: 3,103
    Gimpod - SURE! $100 delivered? Deal! They should fit nicely in the backseat of my Corolla! :p
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  • Msabot1
    Msabot1 Posts: 2,098
    Keep em...hi power amps are as common as sand..those however have been out of production for a few years...and if they are in as good of shape as you describe..that is all the more reason to keep em...rare find...
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  • scubalab
    scubalab Posts: 3,103
    Man, would love to keep them, and may still yet...

    Question, what would be the best/safest way to transport them? I may go get them and hang on to them for a while... Was thinking wrapping them in a moving blanket or comforter and laying them down (on their backs) on an old foam egg crate topper. Or is there a better/preferred way? It'd be about a 50 mile drive, all highway in the back of a pickup with a cover.

    What'd be a good budget amp to try them out? ...and maybe convince me to hang on to them!
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,734
    On their backs is best, just watch out for the binding post plates. That is, don't drag them on their backs.
    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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  • scubalab
    scubalab Posts: 3,103
    Thanks Jesse!!
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  • GlennDog
    GlennDog Posts: 3,121
    edited November 2014
    is this in reference to the SE Michigan CL ad?

    [url="http://"]http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/ele/4725574111.html
    [/url]
    The ad has been up for quite a while, cuz he's asking top $$$ IMHO

    If he responds to my email, I'll have a look-see

    Happy Turkey Day!!
    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
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  • GlennDog
    GlennDog Posts: 3,121
    edited November 2014
    trying to edit so you can click on CL linl
    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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  • scubalab
    scubalab Posts: 3,103
    Glenn - No, those aren't them, but they look exactly the same and in similar condition. Don't know how to upload pics using mobile, but the tweeters are the 'silver coil dome' and the interconnect is two flat prongs (one a little bigger). So I'm assuming it's the 'blade/blade' gimpod is referring to. So sounds like the original 2nd gen. SRS's

    What would be a fair/good asking price for those be?

    And Happy Turkey Day to you as well!!
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,734
    Those would be the SDA SRS.

    The going rate seems to be around a grand.
    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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  • scubalab
    scubalab Posts: 3,103
    Thanks Jesse!

    If for some reason I can't make them work for me (need to find room and an amp), I'll post them in the FM. But either way, I'll post up some pics!

    Thanks everyone for the help.

    -Al (scubalab)
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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    As Jesse said, transporting on their back is a must. You don't want the drivers getting bounced around laterally. If the speaker is on its back any movement of the vehicle causing movement in the driver would only cause it to move in and out, as it is designed to do.

    Do not take his advice to be careful of the binding post plays lightly, or you will snap a binding post before the key is even in the ignition. Best bet is to cut down a 2x4's and place one under the speakers at the top and bottom, keeping the speaker elevated off the bed of the truck or van. Be especially careful sliding the speakers in and out.
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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  • scubalab
    scubalab Posts: 3,103
    All excellent advice and much appreciated! Will update on the status as I find out more. Can a decent amp capable of driving these be found cheap? Anything special to look for? I'm clueless when it comes to separates. As I understand, the amp would need to be 'common ground', correct? Is that pretty standard, or is it something harder to find?
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  • GlennDog
    GlennDog Posts: 3,121
    I'm no authority, but generally speaking most stereo amps are common ground but Not All.
    All mono blocks are definitely non-common ground
    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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  • scubalab
    scubalab Posts: 3,103
    Would I be able to try these speakers using my AVR at a reasonable volume? I'm running an Anthem MRX-500. I'm just curious to see how they sound and make sure everything works. I understand that it won't drive them to their full potential and do them justice, but will it harm them?
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  • GlennDog
    GlennDog Posts: 3,121
    No harm, you just won't even begin to realize the potential of the SDAs
    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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  • Moose68Bash
    Moose68Bash Posts: 3,843
    edited November 2014
    scubalab wrote: »
    All excellent advice and much appreciated! Will update on the status as I find out more. Can a decent amp capable of driving these be found cheap? Anything special to look for? I'm clueless when it comes to separates. As I understand, the amp would need to be 'common ground', correct? Is that pretty standard, or is it something harder to find?

    What do you consider "cheap?"

    There is, for example, a Perreaux PMF3150 on eBay for $1,200 OBO that will make them sing. I used a PMF 3150 before upgrading to more powerful monoblocks. But the PMF 3150 made my SDA SRS1.2s sound very nice, indeed.

    A seller just sold a PMF 3150 for $1,450 that had never been removed from the original packaging -- that is, since it was manufactured in about 1986. He claimed to have a second one that he may list soon.



    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: 17,596
    Scuba, you never did post your zip so folks know where you are when/if you decide to pass them along :smile:
    "....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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  • scubalab
    scubalab Posts: 3,103
    Glenn - Thanks for the confirmation. Yeah, I figured it wouldn't do them justice... just wanted to make sure it wouldn't hurt them.

    Moose - I guess 'cheap' is a relative term! Although I doubt I'll be able to keep them, if I can make them work, I'll then cross the bridge to finding a good source to drive them.

    Dan - I'm just outside of State College, PA. My actual zip is 16823. I doubt I'll be able to hang on to them, so yes, this info would be good to pass along!

    Thanks - Al (scubalab)
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