X/O upgrade evaluation

Dennis47

Recently I had my Polk SDA-2B and Monitor 7C speaker crossovers upgraded
with the help of ben62670. Ben did a great job: excellent workmanship and
quick turnaround time plus he's a nice guy. My first impression is that, even
going into this project with a bit of skepticism, these upgrades are the "real
deal" and well worth the time and money even if they do not contiue to get
better as the caps go through the burn-in period. It is as another member
stated "like a blanket has been lifted off the speakers". I'm a believer! Much
more of an improvement than I expected.

Polk SDA-2B upgraded w/ Sonicaps, Solens & Mills
used with CArver C-1 preamp and Carver M-1.5t amp (350 wpc)
First observation: 2 hours burn-in time
Wow! Immediate presence of more detailed and substantial imaging.
Soundstage is 1 foot wider on each side and 1 foot deeper.
Bass is lacking and somewhat muddled. Tweeters (SL2000), which
previously were non-objectionable, are very bright and somewhat forward.
Upper mid-range is slightly grainy.

Polk Monitor 7C upgraded w/ Solens & Mills
used with Carver 752 receiver (100 wpc) Sonic Holography engaged
First observation: 2 hours burn-in time
Very Nice! Not as much improvement as with the SDA's, but still very much
improved. More detailed imaging. Soundstage was more accurately defined.
Depth of soundstage increased by 2 feet while no increase in width was
percieved. Imaging at the outer limits of soundstage was much more defined.
Bass was immediately more solid and not as effected as with the SDA's.
Tweeters (SL2000) are not nearly as bright as the SDA's with Sonicaps
high pass caps.

I might also note that I had Ben remove the poly switches in both sets of
crossovers after reading Darqueknights recent post.

Even though I like the SL2000 tweeters I may order a pair of RDO194-1
replacement tweeters from Polk for the SDA's, but I think I'll proceed with
the cap burn-in for a while before I decide.

Does anyone know off the top of their head how long the burn-in period
should take for these crossover caps?

Thanks to all the members who have contributed to this forum with their
informative posts which led to my decision to upgrade these Polk speakers,
including ben62670, BlueMDpicker, Darqueknight, dorokkusai and Heiney9.

Dennis

zingo

I have always burned mine in for at least 100 hours. For me, that is just leaving them hooked up to a tuner in the garage for a week, facing each other with a blanket over the top. I have done this with both new x-overs and new tweeters and it's worked great for both.

ben62670

Thanks Dennis. The Sonicaps take a long timer to burn in. Some say up to 400hrs. The "generic caps usually take around 80-100 to be nearly burned in.
Enjoy.
Ben

NJPOLKER

I have learned that burning in capasitors/resistors is like fine wine, better with age/time.

Driver_King

How much did it cost?

ben62670

For which speakers? Parts, labor, both? What parts...

Driver_King

All parts.

ben62670

Which speaker, and which parts? I normally suggest Sonicaps on the highs, and Dayton's on the lows, or a cheaper soulution that is very respectable is all Dayton's.

skrol

I too was skeptical about how much difference the X/O upgrade would make. I have been converted. The RDO194's may also surprise you. I installed RDO198 in my RTL11TLs and was very impressed with the openness. The X/O upgrade has taken it even further.

I am very thankful for the advice found here in the Polk forums.

Driver_King

How much would it cost to have my whole crossover upgraded on both speakers shipped including labor? How much would the works cost and the cheapskate version cost?:D

ben62670

Did you email me?

Driver_King

No, not yet.:p

Conradicles

You guys make me want to upgrade my SDA2B's even more! As soon as some of my stuff sells, I'll be upgrading the X/O's. Great post!
Good job Ben.

Conradicles

One more thing...I got the new RD0194's and a new inter-connect cable from Polk and it improved the sound tremendously. nest step...X/O

ben62670

Which IC cable? B/B, or P/B

Conradicles

B/B...they had it in stock for ~$46 shipped. It looks kind of cheesy, but sounds good IMHO.
I'll also be getting some of those sweet RCA cabs from you hopefully in the near future.

ben62670

Conradicles wrote: »

B/B...they had it in stock for ~$46 shipped. It looks kind of cheesy, but sounds good IMHO.
I'll also be getting some of those sweet RCA cabs from you hopefully in the near future.

I need to find out where to get the ends for the BB cable:(
I think Daboyz still has 2 pair for sale silly cheap in the Flea Market.
Ben

IrishNiner

or a cheaper soulution that is very respectable is all Dayton's

Ben, I agree, I just recently had RTA 15TL X/O's upgraded with Dayton 1% caps and Mills resistors and with poly switches removed was very happy with the results. I went with RDO 198's and Mortite for the drivers as well and with burn in just about complete, I can't stop grinning every time I fire them up. New fabric for the screens and smoked plexiglass tops and the transformation is complete.

Everyone of these upgrades/tweaks was a direct result of the advice and information shared on this forum, so thanks to all of you for that.

Also, I like to thank Jake (ZINGO) for doing the X/O upgrade. Top notch work,good advice and a very nice guy.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Farrell

zingo

ben62670 wrote: »

I need to find out where to get the ends for the BB cable:(

Cinch-Jones Company (www.cinch.com). The part number is P-302-CCT.

zingo

Thanks for the nod Ferrell and I always enjoy doing work for other members (it keeps me busy). I glad all of your upgrades came together so well and let's see some pictures!

dbnh

Dennis47 wrote: »

Recently I had my Polk SDA-2B and Monitor 7C speaker crossovers upgraded
with the help of ben62670. Ben did a great job: excellent workmanship and
quick turnaround time plus he's a nice guy...

Dennis

The day after Thanksgiving I installed a pair of 1C crossovers that ben62670 upgraded. X2 on all the positive comments re: Ben - thanks ever so much.

Additionally, I note that I commenced burning in the XO components by using the Isotek System Enhancer CD. The Isotek CD in my experience has always done a kicka@@ job in appreciably shortening the break-in period, and it has done it again. (I note that I copied the CD's track 2 to tape, and let the tape run 24 hrs/day through my system after installing the XOs.) I'll continue using the Isotek product for this work week simply because I can, but it seems the XOs are pretty much broken in at this point and are a "sound" / no-brainer improvement over the stock components.

My only regret is not having done it much sooner. Kudos, Ben, and thanks for helping out this NH Polkie. For those who want to appreciably shorten component break-in, try the Isotek disc.

ben62670

Thanks for the burn in link. I may build a jig to start burning in cables. I am a NE boy myself(CT). I spent a lot of time in VT, and NH. When the face fell off the old man of the mountain it really bugged me. You can keep the cold, but I will miss the streams, and jeeping with my 68 Bronco;)
Thanks
Ben

zingo

I'd be willing to burn in the speakers on the bottom of the linked page!

dbnh

ben62670 et al,

The crossover upgrade kills...period. Mo' betta' everything, system never sounded so good. Gotta love that wonderful detail retrieval, bigger and deeper soundstage, heightened impact, improved instrument and voice positioning, etc.

I concurrently did the Mortite tweek, which my gut tells me has enhanced my listening experience, too. Furthermore, I reapplied Walker SST to a few connectors; that tweak has always produced positive results, too.

With the snow coming down this morning, and Christmas music wafting through the house and halls, all's right today in wintery NH.