Sda1a Problem! Help Please

turbulent
turbulent Posts: 3
edited May 2008 in Troubleshooting
we bought a pair of sda1 first version , with a phase linear vintage amp and a carver preamp. Normally quite a good system...
here is the problem: the sound is horrible, distortion on hi medium,not all the time, even at low levels , each time on some frequencies around 2Khz , on pianos or strings for example... It's horrible to listen to classic music with it, or tenor saxophones, each time the sound is aggressive and there is distortion audible. do you think that the problem come from the tweeters? the amp?
do you advice us to change some parts on the speakers for better sound?
can you advice for some references ?
please help us,the system cost us many money, it must sound good! we need to repare but in france nobody knows polk and i don't know where to go...
please help!
Post edited by turbulent on
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Comments

  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,029
    edited May 2008
    First off, welcome to the forum.

    You have arrived at the right place to solve your issues. Are you sure that you have all of the drivers working? What you are experiencing is definitely not normal.
    ~ 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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  • dcmeigs
    dcmeigs Posts: 708
    edited May 2008
    Welcome to the forum.

    The first question:Is this amp is a "common ground" design? If you have a ohm meter, check for continuity across the negative speaker posts (with the speakers disconnected). I'm sure someone here will know the answer, but I do not. If not power it down. The amp must be common ground.

    The second question: do you have the interconnect cable connected?
    The world is full of answers, some are right and some are wrong. - Neil Young
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited May 2008
    Welcome to Club Polk. Try it with the IC cable disconnected. Let us know your results.
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited May 2008
    reported
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • turbulent
    turbulent Posts: 3
    edited May 2008
    Hello,
    we tried with the ic cable unplugged. still the same problem.
    how can i know if the phase linear 400b or 400 II is common ground?
    something sure is that the problem is on the two channels, left&right.

    if you 've got an idea... the problem may come from the filters inside the boxes?
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited May 2008
    Hello,
    The most likely cause of that kind of problem is a damaged tweeter or driver. One-at-a-time take each component out of the cabinet, disconnect the connecting wires, and at a low volume try playing each tweeter and driver direrctly powered by your amplifier. Once you know what is not working properly, telephone us at 1-800-377-7655 to order replacement parts, mention your Club Polk membership for the reduce prices and free shipping.
    Regards, Ken
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  • bikezappa
    bikezappa Posts: 2,463
    edited May 2008
    Kenneth Swauger wrote: »
    Hello,
    The most likely cause of that kind of problem is a damaged tweeter or driver. One-at-a-time take each component out of the cabinet, disconnect the connecting wires, and at a low volume try playing each tweeter and driver direrctly powered by your amplifier. Once you know what is not working properly, telephone us at 1-800-377-7655 to order replacement parts, mention your Club Polk membership for the reduce prices and free shipping.
    Regards, Ken

    What a guy.

    You can't do better than that.
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited May 2008
    Thanks, BZ, you made my day!:o
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,557
    edited May 2008
    If I may suggest, since he is in France, that an email might cost him a lot less. ;)

    Ken rocks!!!
    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

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  • turbulent
    turbulent Posts: 3
    edited May 2008
    thank you for your reply first.
    can you tell me if you know if the Phase linear 700b is common ground built? if not, how can i hear it ? How does it influence the sound?
    If i must change the tweeters, must i change all to equilibrate the speakers? do you advice any reference that can be better than the old ones, and adapted to the filter?
    the thing quite bizarre is that the sound is not good one the 2 channels, with that same distortion on hi medium , so i'm really embarassed to know if the problem comes from the amplifier or the speakers.
    for the moment, i can't send you private messages because i've still not posted more than 10 messages, can you give me your mail to contact you directly, i'm sure that you're the guy that can definitely solve the problem.many thanks.
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  • dcmeigs
    dcmeigs Posts: 708
    edited May 2008
    Polk International +1-410-358-3600.
    The world is full of answers, some are right and some are wrong. - Neil Young
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