SDA 2 Lead Vocals Too Quiet

BC6
BC6 Posts: 109
in Vintage Speakers
I’m the original owner of a pair of SDA IIs and recently replaced the tweeters. I also recently significantly upgraded my amp from an Emotiva UMC-200 pre-amp and Nakamichi PA-1 amp, to an Atoll IN300 Integrated amp and built-in DAC, running Roon through a Sonore microRendu. It sounds amazing, except for one problem. Usually the lead vocals mostly disappear. I can still hear them, but they are nowhere near as loud as they should be. I tried EQing it, but that didn’t work. I'm wondering if the problem is because the vocals are mixed to the center and are ‘cancelled’ by the SDAness of the speakers. When I disconnect the connecting cable, the problem goes away, but the music is much flatter and boring. If I hook one speaker out of phase, I can hear the lead vocals really well, but the imaging goes out the window. My question is, does this happen with all SDAs, and I just haven’t noticed it because my equipment was so average, and have you all just become used to it? (Although I’m not sure if I can get used to it.) Or is this something related to the new equipment and can I fix it somehow? Thanks!
2 Channel: Atohm GT-1 speakers, Atoll IN400 integrated amp, PS Audio DirectStream DAC, PS Audio NuWave Phono Converter, Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit SB with Ortofon Bronze cartridge, SotM sMS-200 ultra streamer, SotM sPS-500 power supply, and homemade infinite baffle subwoofer with two Fi Audio IB318 drivers.

HT: All Polk: SDA 2.3tl fronts, CSiA6 center, 500-LS ceiling, RT/FX, RTi8, Monitor 4 rears, plus Yamaha CX-a5100 AV Preamplifier/Processor, Yamaha MX-a5000 11.1 channel amplifier, and Sony XBR55-AE1 OLED TV.
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Comments

  • shanedrew
    shanedrew Posts: 84
    Hi BC6, I am sure some of the veterans while chime tonight. I would triple check phase of the tweeter wiring. I seem to remember the wiring schematic of SDA are a bit unusual compared to other speakers.

    If I understand your post correctly, you did not have this problem before the tweeter upgrade, correct? It is possible both tweeters are out of phase which I believe is known as absolute of out phase.

    These guys are really good here on helping out... Good Luck!
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    I don't believe the problem is a characteristic of the SDA technology. In order for the lead vocals to be placed in the center they would be recorded with equal left and right strength. Since the SDA component is depended upon the difference between the left and right channels and the center vocals are identical in both channels there is no change caused by the SDA. A monophonic signal (equal left and right channel) produces no SDA information.
    Something in your audio chain is out of polarity between the two channels. Do you still have the Emotiva and Nakamichi to reconnect to the speakers?
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  • shanedrew
    shanedrew Posts: 84
    BC6, "The Source" has chimed in"!
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  • BC6
    BC6 Posts: 109
    The tweeters were out of phase. This is what happens when a colorblind person installs speakers. I had one of them hooked up wrong and couldn't tell. It sounds amazing now. Thank you!
    2 Channel: Atohm GT-1 speakers, Atoll IN400 integrated amp, PS Audio DirectStream DAC, PS Audio NuWave Phono Converter, Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit SB with Ortofon Bronze cartridge, SotM sMS-200 ultra streamer, SotM sPS-500 power supply, and homemade infinite baffle subwoofer with two Fi Audio IB318 drivers.

    HT: All Polk: SDA 2.3tl fronts, CSiA6 center, 500-LS ceiling, RT/FX, RTi8, Monitor 4 rears, plus Yamaha CX-a5100 AV Preamplifier/Processor, Yamaha MX-a5000 11.1 channel amplifier, and Sony XBR55-AE1 OLED TV.
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    Glad you found the cause and the cure!
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  • shanedrew
    shanedrew Posts: 84
    Glad you were able to find it...Enjoy BC6!


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  • shanedrew
    shanedrew Posts: 84
    When you have time, share your impressions. How does it sound now?
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  • crashb4
    crashb4 Posts: 222
    A free fix is always the best kind.
    Schiit Freya+, Krell KAV-250a, R-Pi network streamer, 8Tb NAS, Thorens TD-145 MKIII with Ortofon 2M red, Polk: Monitor-10B, SDA-1A, SDA-SRS
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