I added a set of SDA-1C’s to my rotation. I picked them up from the original owner, in mint shape, all original..now to go down the rabbit hole of mods.
Cambridge Audio 851N Streamer/DAC
Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
Belles 350A Reference modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
Polk SDA 1C's modded
Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
Put Dynamat Xtreme on my left speaker stand column. Then I was like....wow.....sounds terrrible..........completely flat.......the bass is sounding funny. Turned out the subwoofer must've blown an output transistor on power up or something LOL
George / NJ
Polk 7B main speakers, most mods comp. (1979, orig owner)
Martin Logan Dynamo sub w/6ft 14awg Power Cord
Crown D150 amp
Logitech Squeezebox Touch Streamer w/EDO applet
iFi nano iDSD DAC
iPurifier3
iDefender w/ iPower PS
Custom Steve Wilson 1m UPOCC Interconnect
iFi Mercury 0.5m OFHC continuous cast copper USB cable
Custom Ribbon Speaker Cables, 5ft long, 4N Copper, 14awg, ultra low inductance
Custom Vibration Isolation Speaker Stands and Sub Platform
I added a set of SDA-1C’s to my rotation. I picked them up from the original owner, in mint shape, all original..now to go down the rabbit hole of mods.
What speakers are your favs in that room? [/quote]
Unfortunately you can’t see them in that picture, but my Altec Lansing model 19’s have been with me for four decades. I purchased four of them back in 1977 from a brick and mortar store called Pacific Stereo. Also, there is a pair of Electro Voice Sentry 3’s, that are on the top of my list.
I bought two custom acrylic dustcovers from eBay seller "jnbaudio" https://www.ebay.com/usr/jnbaudio?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2754 - one for an AR XA, and one for a Thorens TD-160. These are my personal pics.
I like the laser-embossed AR logo. The original/stock dustcovers for these are notoriously short, such that the tonearm pillar and counterweight rub on the underside of the acrylic (repeatedly), and of course leave a terrible blemish over time.
And now the Thorens. This dustcover has slots for the hinge arms in the rear, so practically OEM.
The acrylic used for these replacements is thicker than OEM, so definitely more hefty.
Both covers included four clear bumper pads, in case they are needed. They were expertly packed, and shipped promptly via FedEx. These were not exactly cheap, but worth it IMO in order to preserve these vintage decks
"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
Very nice! I need to look into one for my Thorens. I hope I saved the hinge pins. I’ve been without the original cover for some time and just use a sacrificial lp to keep dust off the platter mat.
I've gone rather nuts lately. In the past 2 weeks I've upgraded my USB cable to a Curious (NUC to Matrix X-SPDIF 2), my HDMI/I2S cable to Wireworld Platinum Starlight (Matrix to Directstream), and 2 items I should get by tomorrow Morrow SP-5 speaker cables and a Synergistic Research Orange fuse for my preamp :^ /
____________________________
2 channel - PS Audio Stellar S300 amp, PS Audio DirectStream DAC, audio optimized NUC7i5 running Windows 10 Pro/JRiver MC24, Matrix X-SPDIF 2 USB interface, Blackbird SSD dock with 500 GB Samsung 860 EVO, Tom Tutay modded EE Minimax preamp, Furman Elite 15 Pfi power conditioner, Martin Logan Electromotion ESL speakers, Rythmik F12SE subwoofer, Kimber 4TC speaker wire, Gabriel Gold Reflection V2 IC's, VH Audio power cords, Wireworld USB and HDMI/I2S cables
Computer - Windows 7/JRiver, Topping D10 DAC, Fostex PMO.4n monitors
Figured that a proper evaluation of @GlennDog Cary Pre-Amp would take at least 5 years to complete!
Edited to say just kidding!
Old Pic: I like that amp stand on the left. In 2-3 years I’ll be in the market for several, inexpensive (2 each) 1, 2 & 3 tier stands. I confess being thrifty, most everything I’ve seen seems pricey and, because the correct word escapes me, glitzy.
Samsung 60" UN60ES6100 LED
Outlaw Audio 976 Pre/Pro
Samsung BDP, Dish Rcvr, Xbox, Phillips CD chgr
Canare 14 ga - LCR tweeters inside*; CC outside
BJC 10 ga - LCR mids, inside* & out
8 ga Powerline - LR woofers, inside* & out
*soldered
LR: tri-amped RTi A7 w/Rotels. Woofers - 980BX; M&T - 981 CC: Rotel RB985 -> tri-amped CSi A6 5 Audio Pro Subs: LFE & CC - B1.39; all others - Evidence Surrounds: Rotel 981 -> AR 12 ga -> RTi A3 Power Conditioning & Distribution:
3 dedicated 20A feeds; APC H15; 4 Furman Miniport 20s
Does deep cleaning and maintenance count?
Disconnecting/reconnecting all HDMIs
Dusting/cleaning on and around components
Wiping down all power & signal connections
Verified LR placement - lateral, distance, & toe-in .
Samsung 60" UN60ES6100 LED
Outlaw Audio 976 Pre/Pro
Samsung BDP, Dish Rcvr, Xbox, Phillips CD chgr
Canare 14 ga - LCR tweeters inside*; CC outside
BJC 10 ga - LCR mids, inside* & out
8 ga Powerline - LR woofers, inside* & out
*soldered
LR: tri-amped RTi A7 w/Rotels. Woofers - 980BX; M&T - 981 CC: Rotel RB985 -> tri-amped CSi A6 5 Audio Pro Subs: LFE & CC - B1.39; all others - Evidence Surrounds: Rotel 981 -> AR 12 ga -> RTi A3 Power Conditioning & Distribution:
3 dedicated 20A feeds; APC H15; 4 Furman Miniport 20s
Got the RTA-12Bs in the living room today. Going to get an AVR again in the next month or two and do a 5.1 vintage Polk setup in the living room and 2 channel in the bedroom. Yes, I'm giving a thumbs up.
Yamaha RX-A2070, Music Hall A70.2 integrated amp, B&K 4420 Reference, Benchmark Dac1, Bluesound NODE 2i, HSU VTF-2 MK5, LSiM705, LSiM704, Douglas Connection Alpha 12AWG OCC Speaker Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha Analog Interconnect Cables, Audioquest Interconnects and Digital Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha 11 OCC Custom Power Cable, Cullen Gold and Crossover Series Power Cables, Signal Power Cable, Furman PL-8C 15 Power Conditioner, Fluance RT85, Parasound Zphono USB Phono Preamp, Sony 65" 900F, Sony UBP-X700, Fios.
Set lists. A midwest band that I fell in love with. I saw them a number of times and they were so gracious with autographs each time. I got the show poster and a set list each time.
__________________________________________________ 2 Channel
Turntable - VPI Scout 1.1/Ortofon 2M Blue
Amplification - Parks Audio Budgie, Dared SL2000a, McCormack DNA 0.5 Deluxe
Speakers - GoldenEar Triton 2
__________________________________________________ 7.1 Home Theater
Denon AVR-X3300W; Rotel RMB-1066; Polk CS350ls, LS90's, FXi3's, RC60i; SVS PC Ultra; BenQ HT2050; Elite Screens 120"
__________________________________________________ Man Cave
Turntable - Pro-Ject 2.9 Wood/Grado Gold
Integrated Amplifier - Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II
CD: Cambridge Audio
Speakers - LSiM 703; SDA 2A; Epos Epic 2
__________________________________________________
Set up a second very modest 2 channel rig in the back of my living room.
Amazon Echo dot > NAD 7175 > RT16
My wife will listen to music, but does not like to mess with my main stereo. She claims to not be able to turn it on? I though this might be something she would use because it is much more simple. Literally one button, "on" for the 7175, and she is in business. She was not impressed with more equipment in the living room. I will leave it up for a week or two, who knows maybe she will use it.
I purchased the NAD the other day for not a lot. So far I like the sound, and It certainly can push a set of speakers.
The RT16s were purchased months ago with a lot of 10 or 12 speakers for $100. I sold 6 of them as a 5.1 set up for $125 and gave the rest away. I only wanted the RT16 which I essentially got for free.
I think they could be improved a bit by replacing the interior sound dampening which seemed to be disintegrating and pouring out of the downward facing "power ports". I pulled one driver and vacuumed the remnants out to cut down on the mess, but that stuff should be replaced.
As a result of setting this up I listened to the radio at home for the first time in who knows how long. Decades for sure....
Living Room: Marantz ND8006>Anthem TLP-1>Parasound HCA-1500a>Polk SDA SRS 2.3tl/SVS SB-13Ultra, CS400i Home Office: Technics SL-QD33>Marantz NR1509>Zu Audio DW/Polk SDA 2Btl/CS400i/Monitor 5jr, SVS-13Ultra Office: Closed due to COVID Portable: Fiio X3ii, Shure SE-215, Fender FXA2/FXA6
Comments
Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
Belles 350A Reference modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
Polk SDA 1C's modded
Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, PASS ACA Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
Spare Room: Antique Sound Labs Wave AV-8 Monoblocks, Tisbury Mini Passive Pre, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
Garage: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
Polk 7B main speakers, most mods comp. (1979, orig owner)
Martin Logan Dynamo sub w/6ft 14awg Power Cord
Crown D150 amp
Logitech Squeezebox Touch Streamer w/EDO applet
iFi nano iDSD DAC
iPurifier3
iDefender w/ iPower PS
Custom Steve Wilson 1m UPOCC Interconnect
iFi Mercury 0.5m OFHC continuous cast copper USB cable
Custom Ribbon Speaker Cables, 5ft long, 4N Copper, 14awg, ultra low inductance
Custom Vibration Isolation Speaker Stands and Sub Platform
What speakers are your favs in that room?
Unfortunately you can’t see them in that picture, but my Altec Lansing model 19’s have been with me for four decades. I purchased four of them back in 1977 from a brick and mortar store called Pacific Stereo. Also, there is a pair of Electro Voice Sentry 3’s, that are on the top of my list.
I like the laser-embossed AR logo. The original/stock dustcovers for these are notoriously short, such that the tonearm pillar and counterweight rub on the underside of the acrylic (repeatedly), and of course leave a terrible blemish over time.
And now the Thorens. This dustcover has slots for the hinge arms in the rear, so practically OEM.
The acrylic used for these replacements is thicker than OEM, so definitely more hefty.
Both covers included four clear bumper pads, in case they are needed. They were expertly packed, and shipped promptly via FedEx. These were not exactly cheap, but worth it IMO in order to preserve these vintage decks
"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
2 channel - PS Audio Stellar S300 amp, PS Audio DirectStream DAC, audio optimized NUC7i5 running Windows 10 Pro/JRiver MC24, Matrix X-SPDIF 2 USB interface, Blackbird SSD dock with 500 GB Samsung 860 EVO, Tom Tutay modded EE Minimax preamp, Furman Elite 15 Pfi power conditioner, Martin Logan Electromotion ESL speakers, Rythmik F12SE subwoofer, Kimber 4TC speaker wire, Gabriel Gold Reflection V2 IC's, VH Audio power cords, Wireworld USB and HDMI/I2S cables
Computer - Windows 7/JRiver, Topping D10 DAC, Fostex PMO.4n monitors
Outlaw Audio 976 Pre/Pro
Samsung BDP, Dish Rcvr, Xbox, Phillips CD chgr
Canare 14 ga - LCR tweeters inside*; CC outside
BJC 10 ga - LCR mids, inside* & out
8 ga Powerline - LR woofers, inside* & out
*soldered
LR: tri-amped RTi A7 w/Rotels. Woofers - 980BX; M&T - 981
CC: Rotel RB985 -> tri-amped CSi A6
5 Audio Pro Subs: LFE & CC - B1.39; all others - Evidence
Surrounds: Rotel 981 -> AR 12 ga -> RTi A3
Power Conditioning & Distribution:
3 dedicated 20A feeds; APC H15; 4 Furman Miniport 20s
Disconnecting/reconnecting all HDMIs
Dusting/cleaning on and around components
Wiping down all power & signal connections
Verified LR placement - lateral, distance, & toe-in .
Outlaw Audio 976 Pre/Pro
Samsung BDP, Dish Rcvr, Xbox, Phillips CD chgr
Canare 14 ga - LCR tweeters inside*; CC outside
BJC 10 ga - LCR mids, inside* & out
8 ga Powerline - LR woofers, inside* & out
*soldered
LR: tri-amped RTi A7 w/Rotels. Woofers - 980BX; M&T - 981
CC: Rotel RB985 -> tri-amped CSi A6
5 Audio Pro Subs: LFE & CC - B1.39; all others - Evidence
Surrounds: Rotel 981 -> AR 12 ga -> RTi A3
Power Conditioning & Distribution:
3 dedicated 20A feeds; APC H15; 4 Furman Miniport 20s
Village Idiot of Club Polk
Looks great.
Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, PASS ACA Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
Spare Room: Antique Sound Labs Wave AV-8 Monoblocks, Tisbury Mini Passive Pre, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
Garage: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
Sun room: DIY Nelson Pass B1 w/Korg NuTube pre, Technics SL-1700 turntable, DIY Anaview d-class mono block amplfiers, JBL C50 Olympus speakers with custom Smith horns, Mapleshade Samson rack
Den: Onkyo TX-NR929 receiver, Oppo BDP-103 player, Behringer EP 4000 sub amp, Electrovoice DX-38 active, DIY EL-34 horn amp, Behringer NU6000 bass amp, Klipsch Jubilee speakers, Martin Logan Cinema center, JBL SAT2 surrounds, Danley DTS-10 sub
Dining room: Pro-Ject RPM 1 turntable, Shanling CD-T1500 SACD, Sumo Athena pre, SST Ampzilla 2000 amps, Quad 2905 speakers
(I do have the original headshell elsewhere, in full disclosure)
Almost done with the diy stands.
2 Channel
Turntable - VPI Scout 1.1/Ortofon 2M Blue
Amplification - Parks Audio Budgie, Dared SL2000a, McCormack DNA 0.5 Deluxe
Speakers - GoldenEar Triton 2
__________________________________________________
7.1 Home Theater
Denon AVR-X3300W; Rotel RMB-1066; Polk CS350ls, LS90's, FXi3's, RC60i; SVS PC Ultra; BenQ HT2050; Elite Screens 120"
__________________________________________________
Man Cave
Turntable - Pro-Ject 2.9 Wood/Grado Gold
Integrated Amplifier - Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II
CD: Cambridge Audio
Speakers - LSiM 703; SDA 2A; Epos Epic 2
__________________________________________________
Village Idiot of Club Polk
2 Channel
Turntable - VPI Scout 1.1/Ortofon 2M Blue
Amplification - Parks Audio Budgie, Dared SL2000a, McCormack DNA 0.5 Deluxe
Speakers - GoldenEar Triton 2
__________________________________________________
7.1 Home Theater
Denon AVR-X3300W; Rotel RMB-1066; Polk CS350ls, LS90's, FXi3's, RC60i; SVS PC Ultra; BenQ HT2050; Elite Screens 120"
__________________________________________________
Man Cave
Turntable - Pro-Ject 2.9 Wood/Grado Gold
Integrated Amplifier - Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II
CD: Cambridge Audio
Speakers - LSiM 703; SDA 2A; Epos Epic 2
__________________________________________________
That’s a nice set! Dyn’s love high current amplification; what you driving’em with?
Amazon Echo dot > NAD 7175 > RT16
My wife will listen to music, but does not like to mess with my main stereo. She claims to not be able to turn it on? I though this might be something she would use because it is much more simple. Literally one button, "on" for the 7175, and she is in business. She was not impressed with more equipment in the living room. I will leave it up for a week or two, who knows maybe she will use it.
I purchased the NAD the other day for not a lot. So far I like the sound, and It certainly can push a set of speakers.
The RT16s were purchased months ago with a lot of 10 or 12 speakers for $100. I sold 6 of them as a 5.1 set up for $125 and gave the rest away. I only wanted the RT16 which I essentially got for free.
I think they could be improved a bit by replacing the interior sound dampening which seemed to be disintegrating and pouring out of the downward facing "power ports". I pulled one driver and vacuumed the remnants out to cut down on the mess, but that stuff should be replaced.
As a result of setting this up I listened to the radio at home for the first time in who knows how long. Decades for sure....
Home Office: Technics SL-QD33>Marantz NR1509>Zu Audio DW/Polk SDA 2Btl/CS400i/Monitor 5jr, SVS-13Ultra
Office: Closed due to COVID
Portable: Fiio X3ii, Shure SE-215, Fender FXA2/FXA6
A B&K Av5000ii. 185 wpc @ 4 ohms. Hope to be ok.
Yes, that will do quite well
Congrats on the new speakers!
Vinyl: Fluance RT82 * Bottlehead Reduction + Integration Upgrade * KAB RF1
Video: Hisense 55H8F * Panasonic DMP-UB200 * Z-line Designs Elektra