Replaced my SDA 2B's

muncybob
muncybob Posts: 3,065
edited January 2009 in Vintage Speakers
Replace as in moved them to another room...I still have them. But I did pick up a pair of Vandersteen 2CE speakers with stands for a decent price recently and have placed them in my living room for music and movies. Moved the 2B's to my game room. I must say that the Vandy's have much clearer high & mids than the 2B's but the Polks do have more punch in the bass region. The 2B's only upgrade over time has been the tweeters last year. I had anticipated bringing the Polks back to the living room but we actually prefer the Vandys for serious music listening at this point.

I wonder if the crossovers in the Polks are upgraded along with the rope caulk and speaker basket tweaks mentioned if I will be wanting to bring the Polks back to the living room? Has anybody done something similar to this with perhaps a different brand speaker besides Vandersteen and then upgraded/tweaked their Polks....and then perhaps not had a clear "winner" between them?:confused:
Yep, my name really is Bob.
Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub.
Post edited by muncybob on
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited January 2009
    IMO, 2B's with the TL upgrade sound better than some of the larger and more desirable SDA's. The TL upgrade includes the RD0-198 tweeter and an additional cap in the HF section of the crossover. While you're in there, it would make sense to upgrade the rest of the caps and also install mortite. Then who knows, you may still prefer the Vandy's or you may throw them up for sale.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • MillerLiteScott
    MillerLiteScott Posts: 2,561
    edited January 2009
    I will agree with Mike. /\/\/\/\
    I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D
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  • muncybob
    muncybob Posts: 3,065
    edited January 2009
    The upgrade to the 2B's is on the to do list for sure! Doubt I'll ever part with the Polk's...hell, I've had them for so long they are part of the family! Looking forward to the upgrade to give them new life. Obtaining new speakers that you like is always an enjoyable and time consuming endeavor since a lot of the music I have now sounds different and I feel like I have to listen to everything again, which is hopefully how I feel once the 2B's are upgraded.
    Yep, my name really is Bob.
    Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub.
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  • CLPolk
    CLPolk Posts: 133
    edited January 2009
    You wouldnt be from Muncy,Pa would you?
    • SDA SRS 2
    • SDA 1A
    • Monitor 11
    • Monitor 7B
    • CS350lsi
    • RM-6600
    • FX500i
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited January 2009
    I've really enjoyed the TL upgrade in my CRS+, and I would assume the 2Bs would have the same effect (even though I've never heard them). The only problem is you would have to upgrade the tweeters again. :eek:
    Jake
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  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,501
    edited January 2009
    muncybob,

    As of tonight I have 326 hours (am told they keep getting better up to 400) on my "purchased in 1987 and just rebuilt" Walnut SDA-2B's. I absolutely cannot believe the sound coming out of them.

    I concurrently rebuilt SDA SRS 2's that have 268 hours on them now with the original intent of selling the 2B's and keeping the SDA SRS 2's as my "prime" speakers. The jury is still out until both have over 400 hours, but I'm already seriously rethinking that strategy.

    After the mods, SELLING the 2B's WILL NEVER HAPPEN. The 2B's are stunning. I performed the "TL" mod where you add a 5.6 uf cap to the circuit that allows you to use the RDO198-1 (SL3000 replacement) versus the RDO194-1 (SL2000 replacement). This is a must do as the 198 straightens out any high frequency problem the speaker had in the past.

    AGAIN, I WILL NEVER SELL THESE (SDA-2B) SPEAKERS. The sound is simply that good.

    This thread may save you some time: http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74945

    Highlighting the mods:

    2 RDO198-1 tweeters
    All Sonicap Caps and Mills on both high-pass and low-pass crossover sections
    Cardas CCGR Binding Posts
    Dynamat Extreme on Passives and 6.5 drivers
    Removed Gaskets and used Mortite on all drivers
    Added MIT Speaker Interface Cables to the mix

    To Do:
    --- upgrade stock blade/blade connection to Cardas CCGR and obtain Ben's Silver Interconnect Cable.
    --- might also get AI-1 Cable to allow for bridging my vintage "non-strappable when in non-common ground bridged mode" NAD 2600A's.

    Last, the SDA SRS 2's are very, very good and not burned in yet and have a commanding presence that is perhaps 10% stronger than the 2B's on the bottom and in the midrange, but I'm not sure the four 194's will 4 ever equal the two 198's in the 2B's

    The SRS2 thread is at: http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74946
    VTL ST50 w/mods / RCA6L6GC / TlfnknECC801S
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 w/mods
    TT Conrad Johnson Sonographe SG3 Oak / Sumiko LMT / Grado Woodbody Platinum / Sumiko PIB2 / The Clamp
    Musical Fidelity A1 CDPro/ Bada DD-22 Tube CDP / Conrad Johnson SD-22 CDP
    Tuners w/mods Kenwood KT5020 / Fisher KM60
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    Herbies Ti-9 / Vibrapods / MIT Shotgun AC1 IEC's / MIT Shotgun 2 IC's / MIT Shotgun 2 Speaker Cables
    PS Audio Cryo / PowerPort Premium Outlets / Exact Power EP15A Conditioner
    Walnut SDA 2B TL /Oak SDA SRS II TL (Sonicaps/Mills/Cardas/Custom SDA ICs / Dynamat Extreme / Larry's Rings/ FSB-2 Spikes
    NAD SS rigs w/mods
    GIK panels
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  • muncybob
    muncybob Posts: 3,065
    edited January 2009
    CL........Yes. Well, actually Pennsdale...used to live right in Muncy but now we are country bumpkins.

    I look forward to the upgrade...whichever it is. I upgraded the tweeter last year and while I did appreciate a difference in the sound I still have some problems with high end. Mine are the walnut version also. Perhaps I'll be looking to sell these tweeters and go for the TL version....just don't tell my wife!:eek:
    Yep, my name really is Bob.
    Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub.
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  • CLPolk
    CLPolk Posts: 133
    edited January 2009
    WOW! Small World I'm from Montoursville!! about 3 miles from you!!
    • SDA SRS 2
    • SDA 1A
    • Monitor 11
    • Monitor 7B
    • CS350lsi
    • RM-6600
    • FX500i
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  • muncybob
    muncybob Posts: 3,065
    edited January 2009
    CL...indeed! PM'd you.......I wonder if there are other Polkies in beautiful northcentral PA?
    Yep, my name really is Bob.
    Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub.
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  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited January 2009
    muncybob wrote: »
    CL...indeed! PM'd you.......I wonder if there are other Polkies in beautiful northcentral PA?

    I'm in Berwick... only about 45 minutes from you guys. Do computer work up that way some times.
    Ludicrous gibs!
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  • muncybob
    muncybob Posts: 3,065
    edited January 2009
    Haven't been to Berwick in awhile...guessing you do some work in Williamsport?....that's where I go 5 days a week.:)
    Yep, my name really is Bob.
    Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub.
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  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited January 2009
    Actually, I do some work on the side for a local business that has an office in Montoursville. He's got a total of 5 offices scattered around the area.

    Also familiar with the area, as my Uncle has property on the river up there, I shop at the Muncy mall, and my brother went to Penn Tech :)

    45 minutes isn't the far away in this long state of ours. We should get together some time.
    Ludicrous gibs!
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited January 2009
    Sounds like the makings of a PA mini Polkfest !!! (w/rolling rocks ?):D
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  • muncybob
    muncybob Posts: 3,065
    edited January 2009
    I'll have to stick with a true PA beer and supply the Yuengling!:o
    Yep, my name really is Bob.
    Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub.
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  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited January 2009
    Good man! Just make sure it's bottled or a keg ;)

    None of this cans crap...

    and gdb- you'd be welcome to come up and join :D
    Ludicrous gibs!
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  • muncybob
    muncybob Posts: 3,065
    edited January 2009
    Yep, normally buy bottles. But when my buddies bring cans over they make for great target practice!...after we drink them of course!:o
    Yep, my name really is Bob.
    Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub.
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited January 2009
    I really like the Black and Tan Yeungling but it's gotten very expensive in my area in MD:( OH and thanks for the invitation but google maps shows it's approx. a 200 mile hike, and since I spend my $$ on electronics instead of car maintenance...well...:D
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  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited January 2009
    Made a new thread in the Gatherings and Special Events - http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?p=995295#post995295
    Ludicrous gibs!
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