Nice to see yet another group buy moving forward. For anyone on the fence about it this is a major step forward for these fine old speakers.
I consider my dreadnaught and Larry's case from the last group buy quite possibly my best upgrade ever for my 1.2tl's. The removal of ground noise that I didn't know was there is noticeable from the very second the dreadnaught is plugged in.
In case there are folks who are new to the Dreadnought and would like to investigate in advance of joining @pitdogg2's 2019 Group Buy, here is some info:
PURPOSE
The purpose of the group is to purchase at a discount the Avel Lindberg 1000VA isolation transformer for use in the AI-1 Dreadnought developed by @DarqueKnight which greatly improves the sound quality that is possible from Polk's SDA speakers. See DarqueKnight's upgrade thread for details.
ORDERING
Cost is TBD, based on the soon-to-be-received quote and participation level. Historically, there are price breaks beyond the 10-unit minimum at 15, 20, 25, and 30. The quote at 10ea in 2016 was $292.88 plus $17.55 shipping & insurance. A-L will provide quotes for any shipping outside the CONUS.
Once the group buy goal is reached, full payments are collected from members. Once all payments are collected, the order is placed and payment made. Lead time has historically been quoted at 12 weeks which allows plenty of time for members to purchase cases and parts. Units are shipped directly to members via USPS Priority Mail. Packing is adequate but not luxurious.
Right Pin = Red/Yellow
Right Blade (Negative Speaker Terminal) = Black/Orange
Left Pin = Grey/Brown
Left Blade (Negative Speaker Terminal) = Blue/Violet
NEUTRIK CONNECTIONS
F1nut's Neutrik Dreadnought (link above). I believe this arrangement is consistent with Larry's latest batch of cases. For same-side Neutriks with 90deg connectors, see below.
Red/Yellow (right pin) to 1+
Black/Orange (right blade) to 1-
Grey/Brown (left pin) to 1+
Blue/Violet (left blade) to 1-
@agfrost's Neutrik set (with spare direct interconnect cable) Note: Neutrik also makes a male-to-male lockable coupler that could be used with existing Dreadnought cables to bypass the Dreadnought. @stainless0steel2's Same-side 90deg Neutrik design
DYNAMAT
DarqueKnight's Dynamatted base
F1nut's Dynamtted top
This is going even faster than the last one. When you include all of us fence sitters, we are almost at 20 in less than a week!
So imaging what will happen by January. Nobody thought this could possibly come close to the last one, but it's looking to me like it might be..........................
@pitdogg2 apparently you missed this post from three days ago
Yes that is correct. The dreadnought is a larger isolation transformer which is placed inline in the crossfieed cable that connects Polk SDA loudspeakers to one another. The RTA’s are predecessors to the SDA’s and do not have a crossfeed cable connecting them like the SD’A’s do. So the dreadnought has no place to go.
I bought two 1000VA transformers on the last buy. I sold one of them and am using one currently. I sort of regret selling that second one. I would be in for buying another if the price is low enough (enough people). Count me in on the "possible" group. I hope this works out for everyone that does not have one currently.
Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers: "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion."
My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....
"Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson
"Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
Tv is mounted to the wall. Just happens to not have much space between the bottom of the TV and the top of the speaker. Saved me from needing to do an in wall wire kit.
I had rti12 ( sold recently) , still have the FXI a4's up stairs not being used. I should put the 4's up for sale soon.
Are there any SDA limitations for using the Dreadnought? Any version of SDA that wouldn't benefit from it? Having @westmassguy upgrade the 4 X/O's in my 2a's this winter and since I'm already down that rabbit hole might as well explore another one if it makes as much SQ difference as seems to be the consensus here. If my 2a's qualify as candidates, guess you better put me down for 1. Thanks
Are there any SDA limitations for using the Dreadnought? Any version of SDA that wouldn't benefit from it? Having @westmassguy upgrade the 4 X/O's in my 2a's this winter and since I'm already down that rabbit hole might as well explore another one if it makes as much SQ difference as seems to be the consensus here. If my 2a's qualify as candidates, guess you better put me down for 1. Thanks
Your SDA2's are Blade/blade and therefore not a candidate. But lets be real here. Sooner or later like everyone of us here that had a B/b SDA eventually you will have a pin/blade model that CAN use it. There will probably not be another group buy in the future. A few bought more than one last go around and ended up selling a spare. So you will be able to sell it in the future if you ever have to need to. A few people this time are buying another without a need for one because they know it's very unlikely that there will be another go around. We need at least 10 folks for the company to even consider a special run to make them we had that the first day.
Like myself 3 yrs ago who didn't have a pin/blade model that could use it, I now do and wish I had bought one 3 yrs. ago when they had 25 folks and got much better pricing because of the fact they had 25 folks buying. There was at the time price breaks at 20 I believe was about $15 cheaper.
Are there any SDA limitations for using the Dreadnought? Any version of SDA that wouldn't benefit from it? Having @westmassguy upgrade the 4 X/O's in my 2a's this winter and since I'm already down that rabbit hole might as well explore another one if it makes as much SQ difference as seems to be the consensus here. If my 2a's qualify as candidates, guess you better put me down for 1. Thanks
Thomas, I would have quoted you on an 800VA Dreadnaught if it applied to your 2As.
@westmassguy Dave, should have realized you would have suggested it.
@pitdogg2 You are correct in the possible eventuality of acquiring a larger pin/blade model should one become available up here. Don't know about selling it later if not needed with shipping to/from AK being prohibitive for many things, but......... Keep me in as a 'possible' please. Has a 'critical point of no return' date to decide been chosen yet?
@westmassguy Dave, should have realized you would have suggested it.
@pitdogg2 You are correct in the possible eventuality of acquiring a larger pin/blade model should one become available up here. Don't know about selling it later if not needed with shipping to/from AK being prohibitive for many things, but......... Keep me in as a 'possible' please. Has a 'critical point of no return' date to decide been chosen yet?
We are looking at doing this in the next few weeks. We will have our quote next week as to prices so we will probably move pretty soon after that.
Late to the party and really tired of the ground loop noise. I'm currently not connected. My SDA SRS 1.2tl's would benefit greatly, so I'm told.
I've had all the other major mods done, Crossover, new tweets, Dynamat, Speakon interconnect, etc.
If it's not too late count me in.
Eric
Comments
Edit: Apparently I need to get more creative in my misspelling of the word "pa-horn"
SDA 2BTL * Musical Fidelity A5cr amp * Marantz DV-9500 * Modded Adcom GDA-600 DAC * Rythmik F8 (x2)
Micro Seiki DQ-50 * A hodgepodge of cabling * Belkin PF60
Preamp rotation: Krell KSL (SCompRacer recapped) * Manley Shrimp * PS Audio 5.0
Yes Jay we need more nudies
But lets not muddy it up with a bunch of banter of all kinds of other stuff.
I consider my dreadnaught and Larry's case from the last group buy quite possibly my best upgrade ever for my 1.2tl's. The removal of ground noise that I didn't know was there is noticeable from the very second the dreadnaught is plugged in.
I wold like to be in for one, if possible.
Consider yourself in for one then. As you know the more we order the cheaper it gets for all.
1. Erniejade
2. pitdogg2
3. La2vegas
4. Gerres26
5. Indyhawg
6. StainOsteel2
7. audioluvr
8. Verb
9. vcwatkins
10. BC6
11. Lightman1
12. BlueBirdMusic
13. daddyjt
ALL BELOW ARE POSSIBLE
14. gudnoyez
15. honestaquarian
16. monepolk
17. GlennDog
You guys on the fence if its going to make a difference or not @vcwatkins will have some pricing next week.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the group is to purchase at a discount the Avel Lindberg 1000VA isolation transformer for use in the AI-1 Dreadnought developed by @DarqueKnight which greatly improves the sound quality that is possible from Polk's SDA speakers. See DarqueKnight's upgrade thread for details.
ORDERING
Cost is TBD, based on the soon-to-be-received quote and participation level. Historically, there are price breaks beyond the 10-unit minimum at 15, 20, 25, and 30. The quote at 10ea in 2016 was $292.88 plus $17.55 shipping & insurance. A-L will provide quotes for any shipping outside the CONUS.
Once the group buy goal is reached, full payments are collected from members. Once all payments are collected, the order is placed and payment made. Lead time has historically been quoted at 12 weeks which allows plenty of time for members to purchase cases and parts. Units are shipped directly to members via USPS Priority Mail. Packing is adequate but not luxurious.
DESIGN & ASSEMBLY INFO
Assembly is very easy and straightforward, and the end product is extremely rewarding.
Toolfan's 2017 Cases
F1's Neutrik Design
Parts Lists & Discussion (2016 GB p.10)
Bolt & Faston info + agfrost's use of slightly different Neutrik's
F1nut's outriggers and spikes
BINDING POST CONNECTIONS
DarqueKnight's original Dreadnought. Note this is using the 800VA, but the 1000VA is the same scheme.
NEUTRIK CONNECTIONS
F1nut's Neutrik Dreadnought (link above). I believe this arrangement is consistent with Larry's latest batch of cases. For same-side Neutriks with 90deg connectors, see below.
@agfrost's Neutrik set (with spare direct interconnect cable) Note: Neutrik also makes a male-to-male lockable coupler that could be used with existing Dreadnought cables to bypass the Dreadnought.
@stainless0steel2's Same-side 90deg Neutrik design
DYNAMAT
DarqueKnight's Dynamatted base
F1nut's Dynamtted top
DARQUEKNIGHT'S DREADNOUGHT DEVELOPMENT
1000VA Upgrade (2012)
Original 800VA Dreadnought (2008)
PREVIOUS GROUP BUYS
2016 Group Buy
2014 Group Buy
2012 Group Buy
Study: Roon * ProJect Stream Box Ultra & Pre Box S2 * Pass ACA * PSA Dectet * DH Labs Q10 * Brines Folded ML-TQWT RS 40-1354
Studio: Roon * LG v30 phone * Dared MP-5 * DefTech SM45
Beach: Rega RP6 * AT33PTGII * Budgie SUT * Jolida jd9 * Roon * Sonore UltraRendu (LPS-1, WW Plat7, Iso Regen, Lush) * Schiit Yggdrasil * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Pass Aleph 30 / First Watt F5 Clone * PSA Dectet * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl
Beach Den: Sonore microRendu * Dayens Menuetto * Fostex BK-12m Folded Horn / KEF LS50 / Dynaudio Audience 50 / Revel M22
@pitdogg2 apparently you missed this post from three days ago
Thanks
Updated but yes Carlton I was more just double checking.
Great addition @vcwatkins
Thanks much appreciated
Pitdogg2
Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
"I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion."
My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....
"Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson
"Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
Spot to the left of the stand is ready for the Dreadknot case.......
Living Room:,T+A PA 1530R,Wireworld Silver Eclipse SC, Tyler Highland H2, High Fidelity Reveal RCA, Aries Mini, W4S recovery, LKS MH-da004,
Have but haven't used in a while: LH Labs VI Dac, Cayin SCD50T, Grant Fidelity Tube Dac 11.
Living Room:,T+A PA 1530R,Wireworld Silver Eclipse SC, Tyler Highland H2, High Fidelity Reveal RCA, Aries Mini, W4S recovery, LKS MH-da004,
Have but haven't used in a while: LH Labs VI Dac, Cayin SCD50T, Grant Fidelity Tube Dac 11.
I had rti12 ( sold recently) , still have the FXI a4's up stairs not being used. I should put the 4's up for sale soon.
Living Room:,T+A PA 1530R,Wireworld Silver Eclipse SC, Tyler Highland H2, High Fidelity Reveal RCA, Aries Mini, W4S recovery, LKS MH-da004,
Have but haven't used in a while: LH Labs VI Dac, Cayin SCD50T, Grant Fidelity Tube Dac 11.
Your SDA2's are Blade/blade and therefore not a candidate. But lets be real here. Sooner or later like everyone of us here that had a B/b SDA eventually you will have a pin/blade model that CAN use it. There will probably not be another group buy in the future. A few bought more than one last go around and ended up selling a spare. So you will be able to sell it in the future if you ever have to need to. A few people this time are buying another without a need for one because they know it's very unlikely that there will be another go around. We need at least 10 folks for the company to even consider a special run to make them we had that the first day.
Like myself 3 yrs ago who didn't have a pin/blade model that could use it, I now do and wish I had bought one 3 yrs. ago when they had 25 folks and got much better pricing because of the fact they had 25 folks buying. There was at the time price breaks at 20 I believe was about $15 cheaper.
Thomas, I would have quoted you on an 800VA Dreadnaught if it applied to your 2As.
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
Cables: Speaker: Furez 10/2 with GLS Locking Banana Plugs
Interconnect: Furez 10/2 with SpeakONs
ICs: Custom Furez by Douglas Connections
Den:
Bose 901 Series II Continentals Restored, Re-Built Equalizer with Elna Silmic IIs, Sonicaps, and Silver Mica Caps
Carver CT-3 Pre, Carver C-500
dhsspeakerservice.com/
Exclusive Distributor of Gimpod's Custom SDA Circuit Boards
"And keep her under 70, would you, huh? Betty likes a slow ride"
@pitdogg2 You are correct in the possible eventuality of acquiring a larger pin/blade model should one become available up here. Don't know about selling it later if not needed with shipping to/from AK being prohibitive for many things, but......... Keep me in as a 'possible' please. Has a 'critical point of no return' date to decide been chosen yet?
We are looking at doing this in the next few weeks. We will have our quote next week as to prices so we will probably move pretty soon after that.
OK here we go updated list as of 12/3p/2018
1. Erniejade
2. pitdogg2
3. La2vegas
4. Gerres26
5. Indyhawg
6. StainOsteel2
7. audioluvr
8. Verb
9. vcwatkins
10. BC6
11. Lightman1
12. BlueBirdMusic
13. daddyjt
14. honestaquarian
ALL BELOW ARE POSSIBLE
15. gudnoyez
16. monepolk
17. GlennDog
18. ThomasD
19. Headrott
You guys on the fence if its going to make a difference or not @vcwatkins will have some pricing next week.
If all you guys on the fence and one more would commit I'm fairly certain with 20 it would be very favorable pricing.
Thanks all
Living Room:,T+A PA 1530R,Wireworld Silver Eclipse SC, Tyler Highland H2, High Fidelity Reveal RCA, Aries Mini, W4S recovery, LKS MH-da004,
Have but haven't used in a while: LH Labs VI Dac, Cayin SCD50T, Grant Fidelity Tube Dac 11.
Duh..... somehow missed that.
Thanks.
I've had all the other major mods done, Crossover, new tweets, Dynamat, Speakon interconnect, etc.
If it's not too late count me in.
Eric