I think my SDAs just died.....

Striker2237

So I went to go listen to some music today and when I powered on the amp the left speaker seemed to have static coming from the lower tweeter and then shortly after my amp went into its "protection mode" that basically has it auto shut-off when it senses something is wrong. Did this 3 times before I decided to stop trying for risk of making whatever is wrong worse. I have no idea what could have happened and I don't want to open the speakers yet as I don't have a way to reseal them. I have owned these since new so they are 100% original as of now.

Speakers are polk SDA 1c and the amp is a Cambridge audio AZUR651a

The system auto shutdown with or without the SDA cable in place so that had nothing to do with it. If needed I guess I can send the internals out to be rebuilt

Also I can't seem to find replacement tweeters on polk's site anymore, does anyone know where I can get them?

boston1450

You can open them up. Be easy when pulling driver/tweeter out. The gaskets can be reused

boston1450

Nice amp. Is that 75wpc@8 amplifier ? Dont know much about those....... If you need tweeters - Call Polk

westmassguy

That amp is way undersized for 1Cs, and doesn't have a 6 or 4 ohm rating. I'd say you cooked the amp, and possibly a tweeter or two.

Striker2237

Yea its a 75@8, I just switched cables (Tara RSC 500s) and for some reason the system powers on now?

boston1450

^^^^^ correct. If overdriving let it cool down for 15-30 mins as manual states. Amp is working to hard

F1nut

If your speaker cables are connected with bare wire ends, check for loose strands touching the other cable/binding post.

Next, with the SDA cable disconnected swap the speaker cables on the back of the integrated. If the static moves to the right speaker, the problem is in your Cambridge. Report back.

Striker2237

Nevermind, it failed again. I'm probably screwed lol!

Striker2237

I'll test that and see if the static follows

boston1450

How long have you used this amp hooked to these ? & did you do anything different today that you normally dont do ? Such as more volume than usual

Striker2237

I have had them setup this way for almost 2 years now, never go past half power (too much for me to handle past that, even at 50% its only bearable for a song or two because the sheer impact starts messing with my inner ear) and they have been fine.

I just tried to see if the static would follow when I connected the right speaker to the left terminal but when I hit the on button there was a LOUD pop and buzz and the speaker seemed to fire all drivers hard (bass shockwave) then the amp auto shutdown, scared the hell out of me

Striker2237

also the left speaker was totally disconnected at this point and upon the first error I unplugged the SDA cable as i knew that might lead to even worse problems and I did't want to risk my favorite feature of these speakers

F1nut

I'm afraid your integrated is broken. As it really is underpowered for your speakers may I suggest looking for a new one with more power.

boston1450

Im not sure i read it right. I would highly recommend when playing around & connecting speakers like these up-that both R&L speakers be connected before turning on a amplifier. Solid State or Tube amplifiers. Thats just me. I unplug everything when im doing this. Ive read too many horror stories.

dkfreebird

I could of read this wrong but if you swapped the right speaker to the left channel that had the problem the problem may just be the left channel.Try just hooking up the right channel?

F1nut

It's SS, it's ok to hook up only one speaker. It's not ok with a tube amp.

There's really no reason to test the right channel only as the integrated will still shut down because of the left channel problem regardless.

BlueFox

I agree that it most likely is the amp. That is the nature of electronic failures. It works fine. Turn it off, and the next time you turn it on it is broken. As an electronics technician (aviation and networking gear) in a past life, and as an owner of electronics gear, I have heard and seen this issue too many times.

Of course, it could be the speaker cross over.

dkfreebird

I guess you learn something everyday..I remember the same thing happening to me on an Adcom 555 and it never shutoff just the left channel quit working.Thanks for the info on the integrated.

boston1450

F1nut wrote: »

It's SS, it's ok to hook up only one speaker. It's not ok with a tube amp.

There's really no reason to test the right channel only as the integrated will still shut down because of the left channel problem regardless.

i didnt know that & ive never been in situation where i had to do such on solid state. Having the same single Pioneer system for 20 years i never had any issues. What was i thinking getting into this hobby

Striker2237

Well I think the speakers are fine but the amp is indeed dead, tried it with another set and the same things kept happening. I guess I will send it out to be repaired tomorrow.

Jhayman

If you get it repaired don't use it on the SDA's anymore as it will just happen again..
Suggestion, get a amp with more horsepower under the hood, a good used one..

Polkie2009

westmassguy wrote: »

That amp is way undersized for 1Cs, and doesn't have a 6 or 4 ohm rating. I'd say you cooked the amp, and possibly a tweeter or two.

+1, surprised the amp lasted as long as it did running the SDA's. Find a quality amp that is designed to handle 4 ohm loads and output preferably over 100 wpc.

PolkieMan

I have ran a Onkyo HT-RC360 7.2-Channel Network Audio/Video Receiver on mine for the past 2 years like you I just don't go overboard on the volume, it's quality not quantity

drumminman

It's both quality and quantity. SDA's can't strut their stuff unless you have both.

Striker2237

I'm going to look for a Mcintosh 6600, hoping I can find something for under 2k locally.

boston1450

^^^^ i would make sure that McIntosh is compatible before pairing

Striker2237

Should be, I can run 2, 4, 6, and 8 Ohmn speakers no problem.

PolkieMan

It's really painful for me at my age as I have a constant ringing which is worsened once I am subjected to any real loudness. It's rough getting old being dead is well even worse

drumminman wrote: »

It's both quality and quantity. SDA's can't strut their stuff unless you have both.

PolkieMan

Well yeah that should do it.

Striker2237 wrote: »

I'm going to look for a Mcintosh 6600, hoping I can find something for under 2k locally.

BlueBirdMusic

PolkieMan wrote: »

It's really painful for me at my age as I have a constant ringing which is worsened once I am subjected to any real loudness. It's rough getting old being dead is well even worse

That statement is should be a "sticky". I am 69 and the ringing just started in my left ear. I think the ringing started after a John Forgerty concert several weeks ago when I sat too close to stage. I went to ENT last week and I have some hearing loss in both ears.

But, being dead is well even worse!

Harry Jones
Marietta GA

drumminman

Having massive power on tap has a positive effect on sound quality at low to medium levels as well, such as improved clarity, soundstage and bass.

Sorry for your hearing loss and tinnitus - that sucks big time for a music fan.