Pimp my Polks!
JimMueller
Posts: 100
I've read some references to modding my Polks, and I'm wondering what sort of mods are available and where I obtain the parts & instructions. These are all original factory models purchased new, no repairs or anything...
SDA 1C (S/N 11758)
CRS 100 (S/N 40999)
RMS 3000 (S/N 21615)
The 1C's are driven by a Carver TFM-42, and the others are driven by a Carver AV-634. The TFM-42 gives off some ambient background hiss, and the AV-634 causes hum when the knobs are turned up too high. I also have a Velodyne F-1200-B which was sent back to Velodyne last year to repair the amp. As far as I'm aware the Carver amps have not been modified, but perhaps there are mods available for them also.
Are any of these speakers worth updating to newer models?
Thanks!
Jim
SDA 1C (S/N 11758)
CRS 100 (S/N 40999)
RMS 3000 (S/N 21615)
The 1C's are driven by a Carver TFM-42, and the others are driven by a Carver AV-634. The TFM-42 gives off some ambient background hiss, and the AV-634 causes hum when the knobs are turned up too high. I also have a Velodyne F-1200-B which was sent back to Velodyne last year to repair the amp. As far as I'm aware the Carver amps have not been modified, but perhaps there are mods available for them also.
Are any of these speakers worth updating to newer models?
Thanks!
Jim
Yamaha RX-2600 receiver, Nakamichi Dragon, Mitsubishi HS-U80 VCR, Pioneer DVL-90 LD Player, Sony BDP-S550 Blu-ray player, Sony CDP-X555ES CD player, Carver TFM-42, Carver AV-634, Panasonic TC-P54V10 plasma, BenQ W1070 PJ, Fisher MT-90 turntable, AKG-K340 headphones, Polk SDA-1C mains, CS-400i center, FX A4 surrounds, Rti A1 surround backs
Post edited by JimMueller on
Comments
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Jim,
There is plenty of info here on doing mods to various SDA models, just use the search function. If you have any questions after that, please ask.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 -
JimMueller wrote: »I've read some references to modding my Polks, and I'm wondering what sort of mods are available and where I obtain the parts & instructions. These are all original factory models purchased new, no repairs or anything...
SDA 1C (S/N 11758)
CRS 100 (S/N 40999)
RMS 3000 (S/N 21615)
The 1C's are driven by a Carver TFM-42, and the others are driven by a Carver AV-634. The TFM-42 gives off some ambient background hiss, and the AV-634 causes hum when the knobs are turned up too high. I also have a Velodyne F-1200-B which was sent back to Velodyne last year to repair the amp. As far as I'm aware the Carver amps have not been modified, but perhaps there are mods available for them also.
Are any of these speakers worth updating to newer models?
Thanks!
Jim
Get rid of those carver amps and that would be one giant upgrade. They are not in the audiophile list for sure, If you really like that sound upgrade to theSunfire line . If you can find a pair of Golden Tube Audio SE-40's and run them in mono mode it will blow your mind what the 1C's can really do. !
but then again that's just my 2 cents.
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I looked around and I saw some vague reference's to R0 drivers being the latest, and crossover changes using different caps. Are the latest tweeters and mid's the best? Anything else needed to make them work or just plug'n'play? Being a shadetree electrician at best gives me concern about breaking something which was working just fine.
The Carver's may not be great, but they've been reliable for 16 years. If I were to replace them, I'd want better sound without sacrificing longevity or power. The SE-40's appear to have a good reputation after a Sonic Craft kit, but only 40wpc?Yamaha RX-2600 receiver, Nakamichi Dragon, Mitsubishi HS-U80 VCR, Pioneer DVL-90 LD Player, Sony BDP-S550 Blu-ray player, Sony CDP-X555ES CD player, Carver TFM-42, Carver AV-634, Panasonic TC-P54V10 plasma, BenQ W1070 PJ, Fisher MT-90 turntable, AKG-K340 headphones, Polk SDA-1C mains, CS-400i center, FX A4 surrounds, Rti A1 surround backs -
JimMueller wrote: »I looked around and I saw some vague reference's to R0 drivers being the latest, and crossover changes using different caps. Are the latest tweeters and mid's the best? Anything else needed to make them work or just plug'n'play? Being a shadetree electrician at best gives me concern about breaking something which was working just fine.
The Carver's may not be great, but they've been reliable for 16 years. If I were to replace them, I'd want better sound without sacrificing longevity or power. The SE-40's appear to have a good reputation after a Sonic Craft kit, but only 40wpc?
80 watts when your run them in mono. Even any of the Hafler transnova amps would be a giant step up, their cheap and bullet proof. Changing the tweeters out (plug and play) will also be like night and day. -
I just want to deal with the speakers for the time being. The living room is only 13x15. I'll be adding reference photos soon if that'll help. Edit: Added them to my sig in first post.
So...
- Replace SL2000's with RD0194's (are those the silk screen tweeters that have such a good reputation?)
- Should I consider replacing the MW6510's and -11's so everything is new?
- My CS100 has a SL1501S tweeter and non-replaceable woofers. I think that means I should just splurge for a new center channel speaker, but which model will sound the best sonically with the replacement 1C tweeters? My center channel speaker sits directly on top of the television. I'd like to keep the tweeters about the same height as the ones in the 1C's...so no boxes on the floor.
- What about the RM3000 kit, which includes the rear subwoofer? Good enough, or upgrade, and recommendations?
When's the next Compendium going to be released? If modding is so popular, it'd be nice to have a FAQ sticky.Yamaha RX-2600 receiver, Nakamichi Dragon, Mitsubishi HS-U80 VCR, Pioneer DVL-90 LD Player, Sony BDP-S550 Blu-ray player, Sony CDP-X555ES CD player, Carver TFM-42, Carver AV-634, Panasonic TC-P54V10 plasma, BenQ W1070 PJ, Fisher MT-90 turntable, AKG-K340 headphones, Polk SDA-1C mains, CS-400i center, FX A4 surrounds, Rti A1 surround backs -
ttt
... which center channel will match nicely with the 1C's w/ RD0194's?
... Keep or replace the RM3000 system?Yamaha RX-2600 receiver, Nakamichi Dragon, Mitsubishi HS-U80 VCR, Pioneer DVL-90 LD Player, Sony BDP-S550 Blu-ray player, Sony CDP-X555ES CD player, Carver TFM-42, Carver AV-634, Panasonic TC-P54V10 plasma, BenQ W1070 PJ, Fisher MT-90 turntable, AKG-K340 headphones, Polk SDA-1C mains, CS-400i center, FX A4 surrounds, Rti A1 surround backs -
As long as your mid's are working, there's no advantage to replacing them. As for the rest, sorry, can't help you.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 -
CSi5 is considered the best compliment to the SDA line by Polk.
http://www.polkaudio.com/education/showanswer.php?question_num=63 -
definitly get the silk tweets
as far as the Caver amps, I dont know anything about that AV, but that TFM42 is not a slouch, and a definite keeper. can you try lower tube power on the 1C's? Sure, since there pretty efficient. If you ever want to try LSi's down the road, you'll be glad to have that TFM42 floating around.
I have both the Carver M4.0 and the TFM45 (both the same amp as your 42, just different cases) and I find them to be pretty good amps.
redbullet's just a Carver hater
Living Room 2 Channel -
Schiit SYS Passive Pre. Jolida CD player. Songbird streamer. California Audio Labs Sigma II DAC, DIY 300as1/a1 Ice modules Class D amp. LSi15 with MM842 woofer upgrade, Nordost Blue Heaven and Unity interconnects.
Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
Prometheus Ref. TVC passive pre, SAE A-205 Amp, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E50 DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Von Schweikert VR3.5 speakers.
Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Mac Mini, Aiyma A07 Max (BridgedX2), Totem Mites -
Hmm, I guess I need to see of the CSi5 measurements will let it rest on top of my XBR2.
Any recommendations on the rear speakers?Yamaha RX-2600 receiver, Nakamichi Dragon, Mitsubishi HS-U80 VCR, Pioneer DVL-90 LD Player, Sony BDP-S550 Blu-ray player, Sony CDP-X555ES CD player, Carver TFM-42, Carver AV-634, Panasonic TC-P54V10 plasma, BenQ W1070 PJ, Fisher MT-90 turntable, AKG-K340 headphones, Polk SDA-1C mains, CS-400i center, FX A4 surrounds, Rti A1 surround backs -
If room allows I would say Monitor 5's or 7's. Unless you can find another pair of SDA's like the CRS's or SDA2's.
Good question I wonder what others have used.
In Either case you will probably want to change the tweeters is the rear channels to. -
From The polk website. CSi5
CSi5
A high performance dedicated Center Channel Speaker, with reversible-aim cabinet and stability KickStand for shallow-depth TVs.
Real Wood,
Real High Performance
7-11/16" H x 24" W x 14-1/2" D -
14" deep?! That's twice the depth of my CS100. Hmm, I hope that kick stand works well.
Anyone know the length of the stand? Will the 100W from 2 bridged channels of the AV-634 be sufficient to drive the CSi5?
Regarding the rears, the sofa is all the way to the back of the room and the satellites are mounted ~7ft diagonally up the wall (photo in signature). No room for floor standing rear speakers without partially blocking the hallway and/or losing the rear subwoofer. Maybe if the speaker stand was telescopic I could set one on top of the rear sub.Yamaha RX-2600 receiver, Nakamichi Dragon, Mitsubishi HS-U80 VCR, Pioneer DVL-90 LD Player, Sony BDP-S550 Blu-ray player, Sony CDP-X555ES CD player, Carver TFM-42, Carver AV-634, Panasonic TC-P54V10 plasma, BenQ W1070 PJ, Fisher MT-90 turntable, AKG-K340 headphones, Polk SDA-1C mains, CS-400i center, FX A4 surrounds, Rti A1 surround backs -
JimMueller wrote: »14" deep?! That's twice the depth of my CS100. Hmm, I hope that kick stand works well.
Anyone know the length of the stand? Will the 100W from 2 bridged channels of the AV-634 be sufficient to drive the CSi5?
Regarding the rears, the sofa is all the way to the back of the room and the satellites are mounted ~7ft diagonally up the wall (photo in signature). No room for floor standing rear speakers without partially blocking the hallway and/or losing the rear subwoofer. Maybe if the speaker stand was telescopic I could set one on top of the rear sub.
I had/have a CS100 sitting around, I replaced with the CSi5 and WOW what a difference. I am probably going with the FXi5 or the FXi A6 surround speakers.
But the CSi5 is awesome with my SDA2's.Pioneer Elite 24 receiver, Rotel 1095B 5 channel amp, Sony BDP-300 Blu-Ray, Marantz laserdisk, Polk SDA2, Csi5. Samsung HLT6178 DLP.
