SDA2a x-over upgrade

NJPOLKER

I moved my "new" stock SDA SRS2's out and replaced them with the SDA2a's with rebuilt x-overs and here is what I thought I would share with you. A few days ago I finished upgrading a few caps and resistors in my SDA2a's. I decided to do the lower x-over only to hear what the difference will be. I upgraded to Solen 20uF, Solen 12uF and 2.7 Mills resistors for about $50.00 total. It is amazing to hear the difference, simply amazing!! The RDO-194's have been broken-in over the past six months so they already sound great.
The 2a's do not sound as good as the SRS2's but with the upgraded caps and resistors I can hear "things" I did'nt hear as well with the stock SRS2's.
If you have the entry level SDA's you must spend alittle time and money and at least re-do the lower x-over. You will go from having a pair of speakers that may cost $250.00 plus $50.00 and have a world class sound. If you feel you can't handle the re-build yourself make no mistake you have all of us to assist you. The Club Polk Members are the best.
I just ordered caps and resistors from Sonic Craft to do the x-overs for my SRS2's and can't wait for them to be delivered.
Thanks to all the members who take the time to put excellent post/threads together. Without you I may be listening to Bose 901's
Thanks again
Drew R. Crawford

F1nut

Drew, thanks for sharing your results.

NJPOLKER

F1nut, thank you for all your help and patience. Its guys like you who keep the POLK mania going. I will probabley have a few more questions comming your way soon, not sure what they are yet but sure I will get accurate information.
Drew

NJPOLKER

One more thing to add, my wife broke the digital camera so no pictures yet. Not that you need to see another picture of a re-built SDA1a x-over!
Drew

MillerLiteScott

New crossover bits in these 20 year+ old speakers make them hard to beat. I have just under $600 into a pair of SDA 2B's and I would put them up against most anything available today at 5 times what I have in them. YMMV.

Scott

Nice post Drew. Looking forward to hearing about the modded SRS2's

NJPOLKER

I wish I could put into words the difference in what I hear. I guess I can't write that well! But one thing I can guarantee is everyone who has done an upgrade knows what I have heard so far and the caps and resistors only have maybe 10 hours on them.
For anyone who feels they may not have the ability to do this themselves you have to rely on your fellow Polkers and some common sense and you can do it. Just search the threads and make notes or print them out. DO NOT fall into the " they sound great to me why would I change anything" because you are fooling yourself. I fooled myself alittle till I did my first upgrade and now can't wait to do the SRS2's.
JUST DO IT
Drew

Reagan

I plan on doing cross over upgrades on my SDA2A's followed by my 1A's and finally my 1.2TL's. For the SDA2A's, which caps and resistors should be upgraded? All of them? NJPOLKER suggested doing the "lower crossover". What is meant by this? Any and all recommmendations would be appreciated. My RDO-194's are on the way. Thanks, Reagan.

Face

All of the caps and resistors.

Marty913

Reagan wrote: »

I plan on doing cross over upgrades on my SDA2A's followed by my 1A's and finally my 1.2TL's. For the SDA2A's, which caps and resistors should be upgraded? All of them? NJPOLKER suggested doing the "lower crossover". What is meant by this? Any and all recommmendations would be appreciated. My RDO-194's are on the way. Thanks, Reagan.

Here are a couple of starter links:

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28024

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62515

Reagan

Requesting help and feedback from NJPOLKER or anyone else that has performed this upgrade. The parts list for the SDA2A is as follows:

12uF capacitor
20uF capacitor
20uF capacitor
130uF capacitor
130uF capacitor
2.7 ohm resistor
2.7 ohm resistor

Question: the schematics also show a 750 pF capacitor in parallel with the tweeter 12uF capacitor. Does this capacitor need replacement?

Also, where is the best place to purchase and which brand would you use? NJPOLKER used Solen caps and Mills resistors with success. Other options include Daytons. Partsexpress? Sonic Craft? Parts Connexion?

Thanks for any input.

Reagan

Face

Leave the 750pf's out.

I would not use Solen for the tweeter circuit, they could be acceptable in the woofer circuit though. Dayton caps from PartsExpress would also be fine for the woofer section.

Check out Sonic Caps available from Sonic Craft or Claritycap ESA's from Madisound for the tweeter.