Monitor 10A & SDA-2B: are these worth it?

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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,149
    Looking at amps to power these big boys, I have it narrowed down to Carver M1.0t, M1.5t, TFM-35, or a NAD-2200. The NAD only has 100wpc, but has a really high dynamic wpc and a ton of headroom. I looked at an Adcom as well, but it is too big and heavy.

    Interesting development in my sound after switching speaker cable to the Monster cable that the SDA seller gave me. I also added locking banana plugs to the Monster cable, whereas before I was using a bare-wire connection with clear insulated Home Depot 16 gauge cable. With the Monster cable (specifically Monster XP NW Compact Precision Stranded High-Resolution Cable with Magnetic Flux Tube and LPE Dielectric) and banana plugs, the sound is more thin and tinny, and has less bass than I had with the Home Depot 16 gauge bare-wire. I don't know if the new cable with banana plugs is revealing more of my system's true sound, or if the new cable is in fact inferior to the Home Depot cable. Or, maybe it's the new banana plugs and not the cable at all.
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,441
    jdjohn wrote: »
    The NAD only has 100wpc, but has a really high dynamic wpc and a ton of headroom.

    not nearly as much as marketing would have you believe.....


    jdjohn wrote: »
    I looked at an Adcom as well, but it is too big and heavy.

    big and heavy is good, it means that they may of spent more dollars on a good power supply.....mo' better

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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,149
    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    jdjohn wrote: »
    The NAD only has 100wpc, but has a really high dynamic wpc and a ton of headroom.

    not nearly as much as marketing would have you believe.....


    jdjohn wrote: »
    I looked at an Adcom as well, but it is too big and heavy.

    big and heavy is good, it means that they may of spent more dollars on a good power supply.....mo' better

    Thanks for your input. Ok, so not a NAD fan, and must be an Adcom fan. How about Carver?

    If bigger is better, do you recommend the thickest gauge cable as well regardless of all else? It can be a slippery slope...
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
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  • lawdogg
    lawdogg Posts: 455
    My 3.1TLs love my NAD C370 ..
    <3 my 3.1TLs

    I will fix your shifted magnets for free. :)
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,441
    edited December 2015
    jdjohn wrote: »
    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    jdjohn wrote: »
    The NAD only has 100wpc, but has a really high dynamic wpc and a ton of headroom.

    not nearly as much as marketing would have you believe.....


    jdjohn wrote: »
    I looked at an Adcom as well, but it is too big and heavy.

    big and heavy is good, it means that they may of spent more dollars on a good power supply.....mo' better

    Thanks for your input. Ok, so not a NAD fan, and must be an Adcom fan. How about Carver?

    If bigger is better, do you recommend the thickest gauge cable as well regardless of all else? It can be a slippery slope...

    Yes I am a NAD fan but you'll only overdrive them thinking that you can have 600 watts for 3 pico seconds

    I actually own 2 Carvers that are highly modified a TFM 25 and TFM45. Most are long in the tooth so will need a complete going over that will cost big dollars..

    I've never owned a Adcom but understand that a better built power supply usually weighs much more.


    I use 9 gauge wire any questions?

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  • westmassguy
    westmassguy Posts: 6,850
    jdjohn wrote: »
    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    jdjohn wrote: »
    The NAD only has 100wpc, but has a really high dynamic wpc and a ton of headroom.

    not nearly as much as marketing would have you believe.....


    jdjohn wrote: »
    I looked at an Adcom as well, but it is too big and heavy.

    big and heavy is good, it means that they may of spent more dollars on a good power supply.....mo' better

    Thanks for your input. Ok, so not a NAD fan, and must be an Adcom fan. How about Carver?

    If bigger is better, do you recommend the thickest gauge cable as well regardless of all else? It can be a slippery slope...
    Good Quality wire that won't break the bank or wallet, Canare 4SII, Furez 10/2.
    Canare is a bit bright, Furez is pretty neutral, and has great bass definition.
    PM @helipilotdoug or visit his website: http://www.douglasconnection.com

    Home Theater/2 Channel:
    Front: SDA-2ATL forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/143984/my-2as-finally-finished-almost/p1
    Center: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/150760/my-center-channel-project/p1
    Surrounds & Rears: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/151647/my-surround-project/p1
    Sonicaps, Mills, RDO-194s-198s, Dynamat, Hurricane Nuts, Blackhole5
    Pioneer Elite VSX-72TXV, Carver PM-600, SVS PB2-Plus Subwoofer

    dhsspeakerservice.com/
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  • RandyCroissant
    RandyCroissant Posts: 475
    Another good wire is Kimber, many choices in this department. Kimber is warmer sounding to me.
    Yamaha RXA1030, Yamaha CD-S2100, Yamaha AS-2200, Bluesound node 2i
    Polk SDA2btl highly modded
    Polk SDA 1C modded
    Polk CS350 LS x2
    Kimber 8TC
    Sony 55" Bravia
    Wish list SVS sub

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  • RandyCroissant
    RandyCroissant Posts: 475
    I should have mentioned what I am comparing it to Kimber 4PR has better detail and bass compared to Monster XP. That is myself and my family's opinion. Not to start another wire war here, just an opinion Rock on.
    RandyCroissant wrote: »
    Another good wire is Kimber, many choices in this department. Kimber is warmer sounding to me.

    Yamaha RXA1030, Yamaha CD-S2100, Yamaha AS-2200, Bluesound node 2i
    Polk SDA2btl highly modded
    Polk SDA 1C modded
    Polk CS350 LS x2
    Kimber 8TC
    Sony 55" Bravia
    Wish list SVS sub

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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,149
    Thanks for the wire recommendations guys. The Monster XP is rather bright, and although the gauge isn't disclosed on it, I would guess it's 16...somewhat wimpy.
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,149
    I have an Adcom GFA-555 arriving today :) I'm looking forward to hearing my SDAs sing!
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,149
    Well that sucked. This Adcom amp needs work for sure. Loud pop, hum, and then high-pitched noise which blew one of my SDA tweeters...awesome. I also noticed the left channel LED clipping light stayed on during one test. I don't want to risk further testing on my system, so need to find a tech. I popped the top cover and notice this burnt spot on the left channel.
    due5qmrl9lz6.jpg
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
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  • scootr
    scootr Posts: 22
    Those should have the poly-switch that protects the tweeters, hook them up to to a good amp and try them. You may be good to go, I hope you are, they are great speakers. If not, call Polk and order the silk tweeter upgrades RDO194-1. Well worth 98.00 for two tweeters delivered!
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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,149
    scootr wrote: »
    Those should have the poly-switch that protects the tweeters, hook them up to to a good amp and try them. You may be good to go, I hope you are, they are great speakers. If not, call Polk and order the silk tweeter upgrades RDO194-1. Well worth 98.00 for two tweeters delivered!

    Actually, switching back to a good amp is how I figured out the tweeter was shot. I guess I have no choice now but to upgrade to the 194s :)

    I had the Adcom GFA-555 checked out, and it's not in too bad of shape after all. The RCA inputs were bad and had no ground, which was the real problem. Those stock inputs are pretty wimpy I must say. They are getting replaced. The burnt spot in my pic above is from a resistor underneath that feeds the left channel LED clipping light, so not a big deal. It is an easy fix, and the tech is actually going to replace it with a higher wattage resistor. The stock is a 2-watt resistor, and 2 watts is what flows through, so to avoid overheating they will put in a higher wattage resistor. They also recommended replacing a few of the caps that handle thermal settings(?), but the good news is that the big can caps are good. I should get out for under $200.
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
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  • westmassguy
    westmassguy Posts: 6,850
    That's good news
    Home Theater/2 Channel:
    Front: SDA-2ATL forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/143984/my-2as-finally-finished-almost/p1
    Center: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/150760/my-center-channel-project/p1
    Surrounds & Rears: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/151647/my-surround-project/p1
    Sonicaps, Mills, RDO-194s-198s, Dynamat, Hurricane Nuts, Blackhole5
    Pioneer Elite VSX-72TXV, Carver PM-600, SVS PB2-Plus Subwoofer

    dhsspeakerservice.com/
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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,149
    Yes indeed. I just ordered a pair of RD0194 replacements from Polk (with the club discount thanks to you guys letting me know). Luckily I have the Monitor 10As to tide me over. I keep thinking about stands for those, but for now I just have a book underneath the front to tilt them back.

    Finally time to take my old Cerwin Vegas to the pawn shop for a little cash.
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • westmassguy
    westmassguy Posts: 6,850
    jdjohn wrote: »
    Yes indeed. I just ordered a pair of RD0194 replacements from Polk (with the club discount thanks to you guys letting me know). Luckily I have the Monitor 10As to tide me over. I keep thinking about stands for those, but for now I just have a book underneath the front to tilt them back.

    Finally time to take my old Cerwin Vegas to the pawn shop for a little cash.

    CVs are sought after by some. Too bass heavy for my taste.
    Home Theater/2 Channel:
    Front: SDA-2ATL forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/143984/my-2as-finally-finished-almost/p1
    Center: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/150760/my-center-channel-project/p1
    Surrounds & Rears: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/151647/my-surround-project/p1
    Sonicaps, Mills, RDO-194s-198s, Dynamat, Hurricane Nuts, Blackhole5
    Pioneer Elite VSX-72TXV, Carver PM-600, SVS PB2-Plus Subwoofer

    dhsspeakerservice.com/
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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,149
    westmassguy wrote: »
    CVs are sought after by some. Too bass heavy for my taste.

    These of mine are nothing special - D-3s from 1990. I did refoam the surrounds. Over the last few months I went through several auditions of speakers trying to convince myself to replace them, and it wasn't easy. Brand new Wharfedale Diamond 10.5s did not make the cut, nor B&W 685s, but Klipsch Reference 6.5" were about to be my final choice until I looked on Craigslist and starting researching what I saw on there, which were these Polks I now have. Needless to say, all the others got returned, although I still have my CVs that I purchased in 1990. They do have strong bass, but lack in mid-range, and even though I liked the horn tweeters (even in the Klipsch), once I compared it to the Peerless/Polk domes, it was an awakening. Now I hear resonance in the horns to my ear that wasn't obvious before.

    Check out these CV/Polk hybrids https://nashville.craigslist.org/ele/5390745017.html Would be interesting to hear those.
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter