Amplifier/power recommendation for vintage SDAs

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  • Schurkey
    Schurkey Posts: 2,100
    edited May 2019
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    Joshwest90 wrote: »
    @Schurkey awesome write up thank you! Regarding the adcom; Is there a write up that discusses what work is required?
    Not that I know of.

    It involves everything that any older amp would need--fresh electrolytic capacitors and an appropriate internal cleaning. You'd also check that the bias and DC offset are within specs. A real tech with proper equipment should test output power vs. distortion, and other "bench tests".

    Problem is that DC Offset is NOT ADJUSTABLE on the Adcom, so if it's out-of-spec, you have to replace the matched transistors that control offset. I think bias is adjustable.

    I don't know if the original brand and part-number transistors are still available, or if you're on the hunt for something that would cross-over.

    This applies to any amplifier 20--25 years old. The caps are at the end of their expected service life. My Acurus should be re-capped, as well as my Big Guys. Not going to happen soon, but it will happen someday.

    I've never recapped an amplifier. I recapped some audio accessories and of course speaker crossovers, and they've worked when I finished--but never a project that large.
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  • Joshwest90
    Joshwest90 Posts: 109
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    @Schurkey any info on the Adcom 7500 thx 5 channel?
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  • Schurkey
    Schurkey Posts: 2,100
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    Joshwest90 wrote: »
    @Schurkey any info on the Adcom 7500 thx 5 channel?
    None at all, except that if it's old enough, it needs to be re-capped and "tuned-up" by verifying bias and DC offset.

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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,432
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    Josh. Where are you located? We'd LOVE to find something local for you to spend your money on...
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    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
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  • Joshwest90
    Joshwest90 Posts: 109
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    audioluvr wrote: »
    Josh. Where are you located? We'd LOVE to find something local for you to spend your money on...

    I live 45 minutes southeast of St. Louis Missouri

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  • honestaquarian
    honestaquarian Posts: 3,186
    edited May 2019
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    Actually a pair of the M-400’s CAN drive the SDA’s, but you would have to kinda “bootstrap “ them together in order to do it. It may or may not be worth it to you. How they sound is very personal. I’ve had all three versions of the M-400 amp. The original M-400, the M-400a and the M-400t. The last one (M-400t) was the one I had a pair of and Bob Carver himself told me how to “bootstrap” them together way back in the late eighties to drive my SDA-1B’s.
    The later Carver TFM series amps might be a better choice for you to use.
    Aragon
    B & K
    Parasound
    Hafler
    Proton
    NAD
    Rotel
    Adcom
    Denon
    Onkyo
    Just some suggestions that you wouldn’t have to spend a huge wad on.
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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,432
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    How about these?

    I think the Aragon (which is still for sale) would be best in quality.

    https://stlouis.craigslist.org/ele/d/shawnee-mission-aragon-4004-mkii-amp/6882307630.html

    This Adcom probably would be a good choice but make sure you play before buy

    https://stlouis.craigslist.org/ele/d/arnold-adcom-2-channel-amp-for-sale/6867952789.html

    B&K's are generally a good choice. I haven't heard this model but it would be a good starter rig plus the pre amp stages on these are really good.

    https://stlouis.craigslist.org/ele/d/saint-charles-superb-home-theater/6870449530.html

    This combo makes me leary. Could be the guy just doesn't know the value or he's hiding something...

    https://stlouis.craigslist.org/ele/d/high-ridge-adcom-pre-power-amps/6866199181.html

    This amp is rock solid. Maybe not as good as the Aragon but close enough you won't tell the difference. Them and B&K are both defunct companies but any reputable electronics repair facility should not have any problems with service if that need ever arises.

    https://stlouis.craigslist.org/ele/d/valley-park-kinergetics-research-3/6853769513.html
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    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
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 24,560
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    Dayum that Aragon is so so so tempting......
    You GDmitorfartknocker
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  • ddog
    ddog Posts: 230
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    Theres also an Adcom GFM 7400 5 channel amplifier for sale at The Music Room for $349...
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  • michaeljhsda2
    michaeljhsda2 Posts: 2,170
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    The Aragon is closer to Kansas City than St Louis unfortunately.
    SDA SRS 2.3TL's
    Silk Audio MS-90-BT integrated tube amp
    Yaqin MS-20L integrated tube amp
    SDA 2B TL's
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  • monepolk
    monepolk Posts: 1,140
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    michaeljhsda2 wrote: »
    The Aragon is closer to Kansas City than St Louis unfortunately.

    Yeah and going by where he said he's located, I'm guess southern Illinois. Maybe Red Bud??
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  • DaveHo
    DaveHo Posts: 3,480
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    I don't think the Adcom multi-channel amps are common ground.
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  • ddog
    ddog Posts: 230
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    Yeah... you may be right
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 24,560
    edited May 2019
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    michaeljhsda2 wrote: »
    The Aragon is closer to Kansas City than St Louis unfortunately.

    That is a long drive from central Illinois for me but gosh is it tempting....
    I sent an email to the seller he says it is in great shape and functions correctly but he stopped using after he stepped up to the Aragon 24k set. Yes Kansas city Mo.

    Post edited by pitdogg2 on
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  • Joshwest90
    Joshwest90 Posts: 109
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    @monepolk lol I actually live not 10 min from redbud. Your pretty good 😂
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  • Joshwest90
    Joshwest90 Posts: 109
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    Thoughts on a Carver Tfm-35x for 150.00?
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  • DaveHo
    DaveHo Posts: 3,480
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    Good price. Will likely need to be refreshed for top performance.
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  • michaeljhsda2
    michaeljhsda2 Posts: 2,170
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    Redbud, Illinois, not far from Washy's Saloon in Waterloo where they serve all you can eat Walleye on Friday's. Some of the best fish I've ever eaten.
    SDA SRS 2.3TL's
    Silk Audio MS-90-BT integrated tube amp
    Yaqin MS-20L integrated tube amp
    SDA 2B TL's
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  • monepolk
    monepolk Posts: 1,140
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    Joshwest90 wrote: »
    @monepolk lol I actually live not 10 min from redbud. Your pretty good 😂

    Many years ago I use to visit Singer when they were in Red Bud.
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 24,560
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    I've smoked redbud does that count??

    :D:D:D
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  • Dennis47
    Dennis47 Posts: 65
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    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    I've smoked redbud does that count??

    :D:D:D

    Don't know...it's hard to count after smoking it! B)B)>:)

    @Joshwest90 I agree with most of what others have said,
    but think Carver and SDA's sound very good together.
    I would opt for a M-1.0t to upgrade or a TFM series amp/s.
    PL 4000 II / PL 400 II x2 / PL 5100 II / PL 6000 II
    PL 7000 II / PL 1000 w/JDV mod x2 / PL 1100 II
    Carver C-1 / C-11 / C-4000t / M-1.0t (MKII opt 002)
    M-1.5t x2 / TFM-15 / TFM-22 x2 / TFM-24 x2
    TFM-45 x2 / HR-752 / DPL-33 / TD-1400 / TD-1700
    TDR-2400 / TX-12 / DTL-100 / SDA-490t
    Thorens 316 / Roberts 770X x2 / ADC SS3 MKII
    Polk SDA SRS / Polk SDA SRS 2.3 (XO upgrade)
    Polk SDA-2B (XO upgrade)
    Polk Monitor 12 & Monitor 5jr
    Polk Monitor 10B (XO upgrade)
    Polk Monitor 7C (XO upgrade)
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  • cascius
    cascius Posts: 175
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    If your current receiver has pre-amp outputs, you can get a B&K AVR 307 for around $300 and use it as an amp. I'm currently doing that and it actually sounds way better.
    Main System:
    Front: SDA 2ATLs
    Center: CS2
    Surround: M40s
    Sub: PSW505
    Receiver: Pioneer VSX-1121k
    Amp: Carver AV 705x
    TV: Samsung LN52A650
    Media Player: Chromecast/Boxee Box
    BD Player: Sony BDP-S470
    Consoles: Xbox360, Wii U
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  • Schurkey
    Schurkey Posts: 2,100
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    cascius wrote: »
    If your current receiver has pre-amp outputs, you can get a B&K AVR 307 for around $300 and use it as an amp. I'm currently doing that and it actually sounds way better.
    Why not use the control section built-into the B&K AVR?
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  • cascius
    cascius Posts: 175
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    Depends what the use is. For HT it doesn't have HDMI... but for music, you'd be all set with that Bk
    Main System:
    Front: SDA 2ATLs
    Center: CS2
    Surround: M40s
    Sub: PSW505
    Receiver: Pioneer VSX-1121k
    Amp: Carver AV 705x
    TV: Samsung LN52A650
    Media Player: Chromecast/Boxee Box
    BD Player: Sony BDP-S470
    Consoles: Xbox360, Wii U
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  • ddog
    ddog Posts: 230
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    Joshwest90 wrote: »
    Thoughts on a Carver Tfm-35x for 150.00?

    I have a couple of them..(along with a couple 55's and 75's) and really like them.
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  • Gerres26
    Gerres26 Posts: 862
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    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    michaeljhsda2 wrote: »
    The Aragon is closer to Kansas City than St Louis unfortunately.

    That is a long drive from central Illinois for me but gosh is it tempting....
    I sent an email to the seller he says it is in great shape and functions correctly but he stopped using after he stepped up to the Aragon 24k set. Yes Kansas city Mo.

    The seller of that amp is a member over at AK and has it listed on the bartertown over there as well. Seems like a pretty solid seller who has had a bunch of nice gear for sale in the past.
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  • Joshwest90
    Joshwest90 Posts: 109
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    @ddog it talks with a guy now for (2) TFM-35x for 185 a piece shipped. One needs new lights as the lights do not work, but he said everything else works as it should and he will send me videos of it all working. Thoughts?
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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,432
    edited May 2019
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    You will only need one of the TFM-35's They are only good for 8 ohms bridged and your speakers will probably run in the 4 ohm range. Stock Carver amps are getting long in the tooth and the newer TFM series stuff wasn't made in the good ol USA. If you can afford the cost and wait you could send it to Rolland at Hi-Tech Audio for a refresh. It would be a worthy investment to have a vintage Carver amp restored by the grand master... If not you should consider something newer. 25 years old or less. Don't be in a hurry. Something better will come along.
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    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
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  • Joshwest90
    Joshwest90 Posts: 109
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    So they arnt rated at the 350W at 4ohms?
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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,432
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    As I said, bridged it is only rated for 8 ohms so if you only use one in stereo mode you'd be good to go.
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    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
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter