Help Me Spend My $$$

codycatalist

I am always in this debate...crossovers on my 2Bs or REAL amplification?! I have always desired a Marantz Model 250 but do need these crossovers refreshed. I can only do one this year, I can do the other the next.

GAHHH

MrBuhl

Tough one, IMO, a Marantz 250 is likely to need some refreshing too at this point won't it? If that's the case, I would do the crossovers first.

If you're talking about getting something shiny and relatively new and going separates, I would do the amp.

There, I managed to provide no solution and give two answers, my work is done.

tonyb

crossovers...

codycatalist

MrBuhl wrote: »

Tough one, IMO, a Marantz 250 is likely to need some refreshing too at this point won't it? If that's the case, I would do the crossovers first.

If you're talking about getting something shiny and relatively new and going separates, I would do the amp.

There, I managed to provide no solution and give two answers, my work is done.

I saw one on Ebay for $599 that was just serviced. I didn't go into the details of what was refreshed but will look again.

@tonyb I know this is probably what I should do but I think of it like this. What if I have to put my 2Bs away or end up with a different pair of speakers until I have the REAL space for them. The money will not be wasted but won't be enjoyed, I know the crossovers will make the biggest difference in sound quality especially with my almost 20 year old caps.

Would it be worth it to go cheaper on the crossovers (not Sonic Caps) and get maybe a Parasound HCA1500? I have a nice Denon Preamp in my closet that needs some deoxit but should be good besides that.

Conradicles

I would go less expensive crossovers and a new amp. Both problems solved. I have used Jantzen and Dayton caps with excellent results.

Emlyn

Personally, I would find a good condition Parasound HCA-1500 and wait on the crossovers or just make minor updates to them. Have the tweeters on the 2Bs been updated already? If not, that's where I would start.

smglbrth

If there is nothing spooky going on with your 2B's then definitely an amp. Tweeters are a must if you haven't done that already, so, that would be first, then the amp. My .02....

codycatalist

Emlyn wrote: »

Personally, I would find a good condition Parasound HCA-1500 and wait on the crossovers or just make minor updates to them. Have the tweeters on the 2Bs been updated already? If not, that's where I would start.

I did get some RD0 194s but both batches were bad and cause a resonance on certain piano frequencies. I put the SL2000s back in for now, kinda put off of the Rd0s due to bad experience. I don't want to drop another $90 for buzzing tweets.

MrBuhl

If you hurry - there are still some Clarity caps out there for close out in the PX and ESA line, but the quantities are dwindling fast, my 2Btl's have Solen in the low-pass and ESA's up high and sound great IMO. Come to think of it, I might have some 12uf Clarity PX leftover at home I would give you. I'll check weekend after next and let you know if you're interested.

codycatalist

I also plan on spiking the 2Bs as I lost a lot of bass reinforcement when going from a carpeted room to a wood floored room. I hope that will restore what I am missing.

codycatalist

MrBuhl wrote: »

If you hurry - there are still some Clarity caps out there for close out in the PX and ESA line, but the quantities are dwindling fast, my 2Btl's have Solen in the low-pass and ESA's up high and sound great IMO. Come to think of it, I might have some 12uf Clarity PX leftover at home I would give you. I'll check weekend after next and let you know if you're interested.

Bonus won't be in until later this month but I plan to go through Dave (DHS) to upgrade the crossovers as my soldering skills are how do I put it...non existent? Yeah that sounds about right.

TNTsTunes

codycatalist wrote: »

Emlyn wrote: »

Personally, I would find a good condition Parasound HCA-1500 and wait on the crossovers or just make minor updates to them. Have the tweeters on the 2Bs been updated already? If not, that's where I would start.

I did get some RD0 194s but both batches were bad and cause a resonance on certain piano frequencies. I put the SL2000s back in for now, kinda put off of the Rd0s due to bad experience. I don't want to drop another $90 for buzzing tweets.

Skip the RDO194's and rebuild the crossovers so they use RDO198's.

SDA 2BTL's for the win.

codycatalist

TNTsTunes wrote: »

codycatalist wrote: »

Emlyn wrote: »

Personally, I would find a good condition Parasound HCA-1500 and wait on the crossovers or just make minor updates to them. Have the tweeters on the 2Bs been updated already? If not, that's where I would start.

I did get some RD0 194s but both batches were bad and cause a resonance on certain piano frequencies. I put the SL2000s back in for now, kinda put off of the Rd0s due to bad experience. I don't want to drop another $90 for buzzing tweets.

Skip the RDO194's and rebuild the crossovers so they use RDO198's.

SDA 2BTL's for the win.

I know TLing them is advised, I will discuss with Dave when the time comes but I am seriously considering it.

Viking64

Crossovers with built-in amplification or amplifier with built-in crossovers.

Either way = problem solved.

Gerres26

MrBuhl wrote: »

If you hurry - there are still some Clarity caps out there for close out in the PX and ESA line, but the quantities are dwindling fast, my 2Btl's have Solen in the low-pass and ESA's up high and sound great IMO. Come to think of it, I might have some 12uf Clarity PX leftover at home I would give you. I'll check weekend after next and let you know if you're interested.

I agree to go with the crossovers first. I was able to snag all of my clarity esa caps at like half off a little while back due to close out sales. Definitely made buying nicer caps a little easier on the wallet.

gmcman

Crossovers.

That way once you start changing components further up the chain, you will be able to hear what the end result will be.

dpowell

If those are your long-term speakers then do the XOs. Those old caps are worn out. You'll be surprised how much better they'll sound overall including improved bass response with new caps.

codycatalist

dpowell wrote: »

If those are your long-term speakers then do the XOs. Those old caps are worn out. You'll be surprised how much better they'll sound overall including improved bass response with new caps.

Oh I don't doubt it, I think the loss of bass response is placement (still 6 inches off the backwall but I have them 8 feet apart with a entertainment center between them) and my new room which is laminate wood flooring instead of carpet. I am hoping that spikes will help with this, if not ill just deal with it.

[Deleted User]

Maybe spend some of your dough on a powered sub?

Spikes improve pretty much all speakers. Fact!

codycatalist

Slapaho wrote: »

Maybe spend some of your dough on a powered sub?

Spikes improve pretty much all speakers. Fact!

I currently have a Velodyne CHT12 in the mix so that's covered.

codycatalist

Update - Packed my crossovers up and getting them shipped out to @westmassguy today for some upgrades. Pretty excited to take this step and see what comes of it.

tonyb

Cool man, they're in good hands.

codycatalist

I plan on spiking these at the same time. Anything in particular I need to know about removing the riser and drilling the holes?

audioluvr

You could remove the base, use it for a template, cut you an insert and install it to make it flush at the bottom. Just a thought

codycatalist

audioluvr wrote: »

You could remove the base, use it for a template, cut you an insert and install it to make it flush at the bottom. Just a thought

I don't have experience with wood work or removing them ao I am more curious of it is held on my glue and I slowly and carefully pry it off with even distribution etc etc.

audioluvr

Flip them upside down and post a picture. So we can see what you're dealing with

codycatalist

Waiting for the crossovers to be sent back, I started thinking about amplification more. I know B&K is highly regarded around here, I saw a B&K ST2140 for $200 recently, I read 140 watts into 8 ohms and I am sure it has plenty of current. Anyone have experience with this model or similar?

JayMX

codycatalist wrote: »

Waiting for the crossovers to be sent back, I started thinking about amplification more. I know B&K is highly regarded around here, I saw a B&K ST2140 for $200 recently, I read 140 watts into 8 ohms and I am sure it has plenty of current. Anyone have experience with this model or similar?

I run a ST1430 (it's three channel so I have one spare) on my SDA SRS 2’s and I really love the sound. Very transparent. I always wish for a little more umph, but what good is a rabbit hole if it isn’t deep...? I think the 2140 has very similar guts but some newer features like remote trigger balanced inputs and I'm not sure if it has gain pots but if it does that would be nice, mine doesn’t. Well built, simple design. Supposed to be 185wpc into 4ohms. I paid $150, so if you can get it for $200 I’d jump on it.

JayMX

codycatalist wrote: »

I plan on spiking these at the same time. Anything in particular I need to know about removing the riser and drilling the holes?

I recently reworked some SDA 2's that had water damage to one of the bases. I removed the base pretty easily. They had been glued on and there was one ~2” finishing nail driven through the base, centered on each side. I used my Dremel to remove a little wood around the head of each nail then used vice grips to get onto the nail head and they pulled out with some effort. I was then able to pop the old glue with a sharp (but careful) blow or two from a rubber mallet.

GlennDog

codycatalist wrote: »

Update - Packed my crossovers up and getting them shipped out to @westmassguy today for some upgrades. Pretty excited to take this step and see what comes of it.

You are going to be SO HAPPY !!

codycatalist

Got the crossovers and everything hooked up tonight. Time for the burn in!