My First Pair of SDAs!

zingo

Yay! I finally got my first pair!
I picked them up from a local CL seller. I think that they are SDA 2A, but I will post pictures when I get a chance to double check that. They are in pretty good condition and I paid $180 for them, interconnect and all! (The grills are even nice too) Two dust caps where pushed in (I'll see if I can get them out tomorrow) and one radiator has a scratch on it. I demoed them, loved the sound, and brought them home.

However, just as I got them and got a little time to listen to them, the right tweeter stoped working. I don't know if I turned up the music to loud, or what, but I am sad. I thought about upgrading the tweeters anyway, so not that big of a deal. But, I want to listen now! I did however hear a rumor that those speakers have a bit "overload protect" on them in the form of a resistor that can pop and cause the tweeter to go out. Replacing this resistor means that you are back in business. Is this true, or am I chasing a crypto-zoological beast again...

george daniel

I believe that it's called a "polyswitch" usually,resets itself and the tweeter will work again. It should be located on the crossover,which is located behind the PR(inside the speaker cabinet). They can be had from Polk,for free,if you ask nicely.If after a few minutes,it still does not work,you might want to swap tweeters to r/o out the problem.If you determine that it's the poly,,you can,,replace them (one for each speaker),bypass them,perform a crossover upgrade while you're in the neighborhood,,,or "careful with that volume knob,,Eugene. Anyway,,congrats on your SDA's,,have fun and enjoy.

BobMcG

Congrats on the SDA snag.

If you determine the tweeter isn't the problem then yes, it's the protection device or polyswitch located on the crossover which is mounted behind the PR. As GD said, you can call Polk and they'll send you a new, slightly larger, better pair for free if you ask politely. If I recall correctly the original ones are blue and at least the replacements used to be yellow. At any rate they are small paddle shaped semi-conductors you can locate by looking at a schematic that Polk will usually send you too if you ask for it.

It usually takes a lot to get these self re-setting switches to trip but it seems that they get weaker each time they do. This eventually results in them tripping easier and easier and at ever lower power levels over time.

Good luck and enjoy.

engtaz

Congrats on the find and nice price.

engtaz

zingo

I emailed Polk about the silk dome replacement tweeters, so that should take care of that. (I hope) Has someone mapped out an x-over upgrade with a parts lists? Or who should I talk to about that topic?

danger boy

way cool. congrats on your first pair of SDA's. the 2's are quite nice sounding too. so you are starting at a good place. yeah replace the SL2000 tweeters and let the new silk dome ones run or burn in for a good 4 to 5 weeks at least.

here is a link that has tons of schmatics on a lot of vintage polks, including all the SDA models.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55888

zingo

I e-mailed Polk, and all they said is available is the SL2000 (which I already have). Where is a good place to get the silk domes?

After resting for a bit, the right tweeter works again, so the poly-switch must not be totally shot. If I upgrade the x-overs thought I will probably fix them.

reeltrouble1

I did not think the sl2000 was still available, only the replacement??? Definetely recommend the replacement.

What are you using to drive the SDA? If you are over driving a small amp it can cause the poly switches to trip as it clips and heats things up.

Just do a search on sda crossover and you will get alot of info on that project.
RT1

Ron Temple

The tweeter is still called SL2000 p/n RDO-194...I'm pretty sure that's how my packing slip looked anyway.

zingo

I e-mailed Polk again on the RDO-194 specificly, so hopefully.
I'm running my 2As with an Audiometric AM441. Lack of power is definitly not as issue. I was pushing them with a little 80's Receiver before and I think that is when they popped. But the sound was poor to begin with on that, so I'm glad I switched to this amp.

heiney9

zingo wrote: »

I e-mailed Polk, and all they said is available is the SL2000 (which I already have). Where is a good place to get the silk domes?

After resting for a bit, the right tweeter works again, so the poly-switch must not be totally shot. If I upgrade the x-overs thought I will probably fix them.

It's best to talk to Ken directly and ask for it by part # RD0194-1. Be sure to tell them you are a club polk member. As far as I know they are not avail. anywhere else.

H9

heiney9

zingo wrote: »

I e-mailed Polk again on the RDO-194 specificly, so hopefully.
I'm running my 2As with an Audiometric AM441. Lack of power is definitly not as issue. I was pushing them with a little 80's Receiver before and I think that is when they popped. But the sound was poor to begin with on that, so I'm glad I switched to this amp.

I've found it's best to call the Customer Service number. I'm not sure they can do purchases by e-mail (CC#'s and such).

schwarcw

Congrats on the new SDA's Zingo! Those speakers are a lot of fun! The replacement tweeters will sound smoother than the SL2000's. Replace the poly's and everything should be great!

Show us a picture of your new SDA's!:)

zingo

Well here they are fella's.
The dented dust caps do not make a difference do they? And the scratched radiation is a nice touch too... But they do sound great.

Face

Congrats!

I'd like to pick up a pair one day.

engtaz

SDA SRS 3.1TL's are my first.

engtaz

zingo

I order the RDO194s today, so they should be here by weeks-end. On burning them in, do I need to do that with them hooked-up in the speakers, or can I do it by just hooking them up to an amp at a low volume and just letting them simmer.

george daniel

zingo wrote: »

I order the RDO194s today, so they should be here by weeks-end. On burning them in, do I need to do that with them hooked-up in the speakers, or can I do it by just hooking them up to an amp at a low volume and just letting them simmer.

Just install them,sit back and enjoy,,BTW,, keep the gasket ,you'll need to install them with the new replacements IIRC. Have fun.:)

zingo

I got my RDO194s and installed them. It was a good choice. I'm excited to hear them break in.

danger boy

zingo wrote: »

I got my RDO194s and installed them. It was a good choice. I'm excited to hear them break in.

awesome.. give em a good 4 to 5 weeks for breaking in.. then they'll settle down and you'll hear some nice good sounds. during the break in period, don't try and do much critical listening... they may not sound real good... but they will later after burning in.

Systems

congrats, nice pair!