Polk Audio SDA-2B w/ Monster cable - matched w/ Technics SA-DX940 receiver - QUESTION ON NEXT MOVE

JNinja

Hey guys, first time poster. This is my setup as titled. I purchased everything for $150. I'm well aware that the SDA's are being quite underpowered. I can start to hear the mid's become distorted at around half way up in volume, on my Technics receiver.
I really think I would be very happy for now, with about 2x - 3x the power, but unfortunately it won't be easy, as the Technics receiver has no pre-out's for a Power Amp. How can I most cost effectively increase power 2x-3x?
Should I find a similar receiver, but one that has pre-outs, and then mate a power amp? If so does anyone have a suggestion or more?

-So I want 2x-3x the power
-The receiver/amp should be "common ground" (?)
-I want a receiver that is as least as modern as the Technics I have already...
-I want an efficient setup- no wasted channels/power
-The receiver/Power Amp only need power these two SDA's
-...I know there are a couple more mods some suggest for these SDA's (i.e. tweeters/crossover) but for now I want to bring some juice

Sorry for any newbie-ness...I'm somewhat car audio savy, but very new to Home Theatre

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Schurkey

You cannot use the Ashly when bridged. You MIGHT be able to use it in stereo mode. The owner's manual doesn't provide details on whether it's common-ground in stereo mode (that I found, anyway).

In general, pro audio doesn't get a lot of enthusiasm around here.

vmaxer

Great deal on the setup. Did you get the interconnect cable?? (Runs from speaker to speaker only)

I have a few sets of SDA's, in my opinion they are hard to beat when set up and powered correctly.

I have ran a receiver to an amp and really liked it until I got a separate pre. It may have been the receiver I had though?? Lots of choices out there.

I would also step up a bit on cables, you don't have to spend a fortune to get improvements. (This will certainly start a debate on cables) I apologize for that up front.

Hopefully others will chime in and help.

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on being in the SDA family!!

JNinja

Thanks a lot! Yes it has a monster cable SDA interconnect

gudnoyez

First off welcome to the forum, great deal on those 2B Studios, so you want to use them as fronts as part as a HT set up is that correct? If so you would need an AVR with preouts and an external amp that's common ground. I would be easy on the volume with that Technics as to not underpower those SDA's.

I would prefer to use them as part of a 2 channel system for music only myself, perhaps there is someone amongst us that uses SDA's in a HT set up that will give you some advice. Did you get the interconnect cable with them? Make sure you give them some space between them do a search on SDA placement. Enjoy them and be easy on them until you get some power behind them.

vmaxer

Go to this site ( this guy is a member here) you can download the SDA handbooks which have a lot of info on SDA's.

Not sure if you want to upgrade them at this point but maybe in the future.

Warning, we will help drain your wallet


http://vr3mods.com/site/bf4e7f6714364a4bacad04f486805b0a/default?url=http://vr3mods.com/LCSDAUpgrade.php#2549

vmaxer

Also, don't drive them to distortion, you can do a lot of damage, underpowered is much worse than way too much power.

JNinja

gudnoyez wrote: »

First off welcome to the forum, great deal on those 2B Studios, so you want to use them as fronts as part as a HT set up is that correct? If so you would need an AVR with preouts and an external amp that's common ground. I would be easy on the volume with that Technics as to not underpower those SDA's.

I would prefer to use them as part of a 2 channel system for music only myself, perhaps there is someone amongst us that uses SDA's in a HT set up that will give you some advice. Did you get the interconnect cable with them? Make sure you give them some space between them do a search on SDA placement. Enjoy them and be easy on them until you get some power behind them.

Yes I think I'm just looking to make a 2-channel stereo for music...I'll also listen to movies with them, but no reason in my mind that that won't be good with it set up as a 2-ch ....

I'm not pushing them hard, and yes monster cable is present

JNinja

vmaxer wrote: »

Go to this site ( this guy is a member here) you can download the SDA handbooks which have a lot of info on SDA's.

Not sure if you want to upgrade them at this point but maybe in the future.

Warning, we will help drain your wallet


http://vr3mods.com/site/bf4e7f6714364a4bacad04f486805b0a/default?url=http://vr3mods.com/LCSDAUpgrade.php#2549

Thank you, the site is not working though

JNinja

Never mind, I figured out how to break down the site to type in

JNinja

Thanks for the suggestions information so far, but again, can anyone suggest a proper Receiver and/or power amp ?

vmaxer

JNinja wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestions information so far, but again, can anyone suggest a proper Receiver and/or power amp ?

If you are looking for an inexpensive amp, look into an older Parasound. They work great with SDA's. Also there is an Adcom GFA555 for sale here that would work very well.

ken brydson

vmaxer wrote: »

JNinja wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestions information so far, but again, can anyone suggest a proper Receiver and/or power amp ?

If you are looking for an inexpensive amp, look into an older Parasound. They work great with SDA's. Also there is an Adcom GFA555 for sale here that would work very well.

'cept he has 6 posts and can't buy here...

vmaxer

ken brydson wrote: »

vmaxer wrote: »

JNinja wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestions information so far, but again, can anyone suggest a proper Receiver and/or power amp ?

If you are looking for an inexpensive amp, look into an older Parasound. They work great with SDA's. Also there is an Adcom GFA555 for sale here that would work very well.

'cept he has 6 posts and can't buy here...

Sorry, I didn't look at that. Maybe try some of the other sales sights.

Good luck.

JNinja

Thanks for the AMP suggestions. That Adcom seems like a beast! I can't even consider one until I find a receiver with pre-outs, common ground, and again I'd like something as modern or more than my current Technics. Thanks!

vmaxer

The pre doesn't have to be common ground, just the amp.

JNinja

So really, I guess I need a receiver suggestion first. I've been having a very hard time finding one thus far. I can't tell if one is common ground or not, and other than that I thought some here might have a good suggestion based on there own experience of a good 2-ch/5.1 receiver w/ pre-outs. Thanks

JNinja

vmaxer wrote: »

The pre doesn't have to be common ground, just the amp.

WoW, so I've been wasting my time with pointless searches lol

Thank you for info! That I didn't know!

JNinja

I honestly wish that my Technics receiver I picked up had pre-outs, as I like the layout very much. It seems like a good receiver, generally speaking.

Schurkey

JNinja wrote: »

I honestly wish that my Technics receiver I picked up had pre-outs, as I like the layout very much. It seems like a good receiver, generally speaking.

http://www.audioreview.com/cat/amplification/a-v-receivers/technics/sa-dx940/prd_124278_2718crx.aspx

Product Description
Dolby Digital, DTS, and Pro Logic decoding 100 watts x 2 (stereo) into 8 ohms (40-20k Hz) at 0.8% THD — or 100 watts x 5 in home theater mode 5 soundfields (Hall, Club, Live, Theater, Simulated Surround)

When you get your ears on a real preamp/amp, you'll kick that Technics to the curb and never look back. The thing isn't even rated to deliver the lowest octave (20hz--40hz).

JNinja

Can I run an Ashly FET-500? Is it common ground? I found one for $200

JNinja

Thank you all for help... after consideration, and conversations (offline) I went with a replacement for the Technics... ONKYO P-301 STEREO PRE AMPLIFER w/ Remote ...and an Ashly FET 500 Stereo Power Amplifier 800W... Appreciate all the help, and I'm sure I'll be back for help/mods

Nightfall

Is the picture how you are listening to them? Directly side-by-side like that?

F1nut

JNinja wrote: »

Thank you all for help... after consideration, and conversations (offline) I went with a replacement for the Technics... ONKYO P-301 STEREO PRE AMPLIFER w/ Remote ...and an Ashly FET 500 Stereo Power Amplifier 800W... Appreciate all the help, and I'm sure I'll be back for help/mods

This comment sums it up nicely, "I would expect the Ashley to be powerful and somewhat "rough" sounding—it was, after all, designed for sound reinforcement where power-to-weight ratio and reliability are more important than pristine fidelity."

In addition, it has a loud fan and 1/4" or XLR connections instead of RCA's.

westmassguy

Welcome to CP, and the Rabbit Hole. Congrats on the 2Bs, great speakers. You'll not find much love for Pro Amps here. I've been chided for my Carvers, but they sound great to my ears. My PM-350 will drive my fully modded 2As to room shaking levels without breaking a sweat. Find what sounds good to you. You can always upgrade down the road as your budget allows.