SDA-1 Intro
Pilk
Posts: 11
Thanks for the add to the group. I recently stumbled on a set of SDA-1 speakers in excellent condition. Really bought them without knowing what they were or really listening to them other than to hear that they made noise. I'm am really enjoying them on a 100 x 2 channel tube/hybrid amp. I listened to them with the patch chord but really found I liked the sound without (so far). I see many have modified these to improve the sound but I'm just wondering how much better can it get. These are fun fun fun. Anyway...just a quick introduction.
Comments
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Welcome aboard, SDA 1 encompasses 3 different speakers so a picture would be great to see which pair you actually have.
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Oh, they can get better!
Refurbishing tired old crossovers, Dynamatting the baskets, and gluing the magnets will give you peace of mind and improved sound.
It’s like the bare-minimum Trinity.
Worth every penny and every minute of your time.
If the SDA works as it should, and your setup is right, it should be a huge difference compared to them w/o the interconnect plugged in.
The other guys can tell you more
The Thrifty Setups in Mah House Big thrifty stereo in the basement w/ my custom SDA-1C (built with help from kind forum members) * Beautiful 1966 MCM GE console upgraded w/ Bluetooth, Dual turntable, and Paradigm speakers in family room * Swanky 1980 Realistic system and great TEAC eq with dancing colored lights in the living room * custom 5B on a system for my Dad * Ye Olde college stereo in the garage -
Welcome to Club Polk. You state that you preferred the speakers without the patch cord. Are you using any kind of toe in with the speakers?
Tom~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~ -
I will post some pics but these just say SDA-1. Black fabric on the sides with stained wood top and bottom. I was using toe-in. IMO with the interconnect the sound could get confused. It was certainly more holographic with the cable but vocals receded a bit and some detail got a bit lost.
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SDA's should never have any toe in. This is most likely why you observed what you did. Try no toe an whatsoever and with the cable.
If there is any confusion at that point, then you may have an issue elsewhere.
Try that and see what your observations are at that point.
Tom~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~ -
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All of these instructions are very important to get what the SDA's do.
Tom~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~ -
SDA 1C. No toe in, 6 to 8 feet apart, 3 feet from side walls, 5 to 6 inches off the rear wall. Anything else will result in subpar performance.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
Great info. I've been toed in and probably 10' apart. I will set up tonight and give it another run. That setup works perfect in my family room rather than my theater. The only issue is cats and grand kids...
So the 1C is solid wood? -
Ok first question now that I know how to operate them lol. Do the top and side panels come off? The bottom panels have a few chips I'd like to touchup and the fabric has pulled loose at the bottom of one of the side panel. And what are the side panels made of?
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Second question. Do many of you run these with sub(s)? If they end up where I think they will is going to be in a pretty big open room. Thinking the low end could use some support.
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The end caps on that model are glued and stapled on with very large ones. They are very hard to remove, but it can be done. Start on the rear with a very thin pry tool. You have to be very careful as the caps are veneer over MDF, so they damage easily.
The side panels are glued on. They are thin and fragile.
You shouldn't need a sub with them, they are a bit bass heavy to start with.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
Give them good clean power with lots of current and they will reward you. If you're looking for big sub thump thump they're not that, as F1nut mentioned I too have heard a few pairs of them and they were not bass shy with good quality amplification. If your using a receiver then you'll likely never hear their full potential.
Also if they are not spiked consider that it helps with the low end. -
Currently running a 100 wpc tube/hybrid that seems to be enough to get full sound. Any amp recommendations?
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So set them up properly and they do sing. I'm not sure my HTA200 (basic tube/hybrid) amp is doing them justice but its certainly better than my Yamaha AVR. With the right content they present an incredibly wide soundstage. At times it almost wraps around behind you. I'm pretty much a rookie at Amps....but getting the impression these would benefit from a better amp.
Did a little experimenting with subs last night. Different for sure and with a little integration work it might add something but the SDA's have their own bass sound which is pleasant. -
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 -
Those are subs.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
That's a LOT of subwoofferage...
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Currently running a 100 wpc tube/hybrid that seems to be enough to get full sound. Any amp recommendations?… I'm not sure my HTA200 (basic tube/hybrid) amp is doing them justice but it’s certainly better than my Yamaha AVR … I'm pretty much a rookie at Amps....but getting the impression these would benefit from a better amp.
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I’m still very much in the rookie camp on amps, as well, though I doubt that amp has the current vintage Polks tend to crave. There may not be better $350 amps than what you have, but there are better amps.
What’s your budget?
Brian
One-owner Polk Audio RTA 15TL speakers refreshed w/ Sonicap, Vishay/Mills and Cardas components by "pitdogg2," "xschop" billet tweeter plates and BH5 | Stereo REL Acoustics T/5x subwoofers w/ Bassline Blue cables | Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum III integrated tube amp | Technics SL-1210G turntable w/ Ortofon 2M Black LVB 250 MM cart | Sony CDP-508ESD CD player (as a transport) | LampizatOr Baltic 4 tube DAC | Nordost & DH Labs cables/interconnects | APC H15 Power Conditioner | GIK Acoustics room treatments | Degritter RCM -
Currently running a 100 wpc tube/hybrid that seems to be enough to get full sound. Any amp recommendations?… I'm not sure my HTA200 (basic tube/hybrid) amp is doing them justice but it’s certainly better than my Yamaha AVR … I'm pretty much a rookie at Amps....but getting the impression these would benefit from a better amp.
…
I’m still very much in the rookie camp on amps, as well, though I doubt that amp has the current vintage Polks tend to crave. There may not be better $350 amps than what you have, but there are better amps.
What’s your budget?
I could get a used 2 channel that fits the bill I would spend some money. Just not sure what the high current amps are. The little HTA200 does fill the room but IMO there's a graininess that is nice on some recordings and a bit harsh on others. I think its rated at 80wpc at 4 ohm iirc. Budget? Less than $1000 maybe. -
Those are subs.
24" Stereo Integrity subs...silliness really. The one on top is a DIYSG Vortex 15" coaxial with a CD in a temporary box. They are going LCR duty while the Polk is going in the family room.
After some a/b comparisons I think I like the Polks without subs. Seems like with the right placement they put out a balanced sound. They get deep enough and I think with the right amp the bass might be a little better behaved. It was certainly better with the HTA200 vs. the Yamaha AVR. -
Budget? Less than $1000 maybe.
Meh. Save up and let us know when you have at least $2,000. We love spending other people's money here!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 -
Parasound amps make a good candidate. A good used A21 could make a match in heaven. It's more than 1k though.
A good solid state amp and a tube preamp and you're in a state of bliss. -
Tube preamp is more like a state of hiss.Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
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I was looking at Parasound a few y ears ago for a project but never came across the right one. They don't come up for sale very often.
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Tube preamp is more like a state of hiss.
LOL, Sure you can have noisy tubes if you buy cheap tubes. My tube preamp is dead quiet. Those who have sat in the sweet spot, none have ever heard hiss or noise, not once. -
I was looking at Parasound a few y ears ago for a project but never came across the right one. They don't come up for sale very often.
Speaks volumes. -
89 more posts and I'll sell you my spare pair of B&K M200 Sonatas.
edit: there are a few good amps available on Club Polk. Top quality guy we is!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 -
You going to build him a dreadnought too?89 more posts and I'll sell you my spare pair of B&K M200 Sonatas.
