1st post - new owner of SDA 2B!

telewacked
telewacked Posts: 5
edited March 2009 in Vintage Speakers
I got a nice pair of these locally from an audio enthusiast and am really enjoying them. I am currently driving them with a Marantz 2330B. The gentleman I purchased them from thought that I would need better / more power than the Marantz to get the most out of them. His advice was to get a SS power amp in the 200 wpc range (Adcom, Rotel, etc) and use the Marantz as a preamp to start.
Does anyone have any advice about this (I'm on a budget of <$500)

I would also really like to move to a Dynaco ST70 (or something similar - I love vintage tube gear / my second system is HH Scott 222B) sometime soon when funds allow. Would that be a good choice to drive the SDA's, considering that the power is pretty low?

I appreciate any advice
Doug
Post edited by telewacked on
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Comments

  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited March 2009
    My experience with my SDA-1Cs are Carver TFM-25 and 45, 45 is what I am currently using and it is great. Others prefer the Adcom 555s and Parasound. Also, with a AMP upgrade suggest some decent ICs like CP's Ben silvers:D and speaker cables like AudioQuest Type 4 or Kimber cables or Bens as well:cool:

    I sure you will get big thumbs up for tubes (tubes rule BTW) but I have no experience with tubes.

    Welcome to CP and congrats on joining the SDA league.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited March 2009
    The Adcom 555 would be a great choice for your sda2b's and it pushes out 200 watts @ 8 ohms. They run about $300 and they're very easy to find. Well within your budget.
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  • zarrdoss
    zarrdoss Posts: 2,562
    edited March 2009
    welcome to club SDA ur I mean club Polk, check the for sale on here a bunch of great stuff from mostly trustworthy people. I had some sda 2b,s with an Onkyo receiver and they sounded great, just depends on how loud you listen to your music and what works for you, Generally an amp pre amp combo would be ideal for these, Enjoy
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  • zarrdoss
    zarrdoss Posts: 2,562
    edited March 2009
    Adcom 555II on here no affi.


    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80507
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  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited March 2009
    The ST70 (I believe it's common ground)would do just fine. Tubes and SDAs go together like PB&J. 1 tube watt is like 2-3 ss watts. Your 2Bs are quite efficient. If you do decide on SS, get a high current amp.
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
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  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,501
    edited March 2009
    Welcome aboard!

    It's hard to find anyone who does not have love for the 2B. I've driven mine hard with NAD products (7600 receiver and 1700 preamp / 2600A amp) for over 22 years. Either combo can be had for about $325 delivered if you watch eBay carefully, and the 7600 is a no-holds-barred receiver that actually compares equally well to almost any separates out there. When you become completely and insanely addicted to upgrading your new rig, you will enjoy a receiver as it saves you the $500-$600 you'll end up shelling out for an IC between the preamp and amp. :D
    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
    MF x-DAC V8, HAInfo NG27
    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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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,461
    edited March 2009
    welcome to CP... this place will definately cause you to loose weight as my wallet gets lighter every time i log in...
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
    edited March 2009
    Welcome to C.P. I'm glad you snagged the 2's...I was within an eyelash of getting them myself when they were first listed.

    But,to my surprise,I showed some restraint:D and held off.

    A very nice pair of SDA's you have,when you get your power together,you should look into performing a few modifications on your new jems.
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited March 2009
    Welcome to Club Polk. I would look for a used Adcom GFA-545, or GFA-555 amp and take the left over money and upgrade the tweeters and crossovers. You can always sell the amp latter if/when you feel the need to upgrade.
    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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  • strider
    strider Posts: 2,568
    edited March 2009
    As a fellow 2B owner, I can tell you that you shouldn't get hung up on the watt rating of the amp; current's where it's at. They are relatively efficient speakers.

    Right now I've got a Rotel 980BX, which is rated at 120 watts into 8 ohms. I enjoy this amp much more then when I had a 251 wpc Carver.

    I think your plan of an ST-70 could be very enjoyable.
    Wristwatch--->Crisco
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited March 2009
    Can anyone tell me the ohm and efficiency rating of the 2b's?




    Thanks


    Nick
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,133
    edited March 2009
    I know they are 6 ohm, but not sure about the eff.
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited March 2009
    Thanks.


    I just found the manual on line. Just stated that they were 6 ohm.

    But the literature keeps talking about how there very efficient. But they didn't state and specs for it.




    Nik
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited March 2009
    about 91-92db
    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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  • AudioGenics
    AudioGenics Posts: 2,567
    edited March 2009
    great speakers
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited March 2009
    ben62670 wrote: »
    about 91-92db



    Interesting.....

    and Thanks.




    Nick
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  • sda2mike
    sda2mike Posts: 3,131
    edited March 2009
    congrats on your 2Bs!!

    see my sig

    i wouldn't be in a great hurry to upgrade your power source just yet. that marantz is quite the beast and will drive your 2Bs nicely. my 2270 ran mine for 6 years!

    then, i got more power.

    i think you'll enjoy each upgrade that you do if you do them incrementally:cool:

    1st IMHO, you should go with the RDO194s!
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  • telewacked
    telewacked Posts: 5
    edited March 2009
    Thanks for the information (to you and everyone else that replied)
    Can you explain what you mean by current vs. watts (preferably in real simple terms)?
    For example, the ST-70 is 35wpc while my Marantz is 130wpc and the Rotel you mention is 120wpc. How / where does "current" come into play?


    strider wrote: »
    As a fellow 2B owner, I can tell you that you shouldn't get hung up on the watt rating of the amp; current's where it's at. They are relatively efficient speakers.

    Right now I've got a Rotel 980BX, which is rated at 120 watts into 8 ohms. I enjoy this amp much more then when I had a 251 wpc Carver.

    I think your plan of an ST-70 could be very enjoyable.
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  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,501
    edited March 2009
    Mike Reeter wrote: »
    . . . look into performing a few modifications on your new jems . . .

    I f you reach the point you want to upgrade, there are many great threads in the forum that will help you see what others have accomplished. I recently documented my upgrades at http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74945.
    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
    MF x-DAC V8, HAInfo NG27
    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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  • telewacked
    telewacked Posts: 5
    edited March 2009
    Mike Reeter wrote: »
    Welcome to C.P. I'm glad you snagged the 2's...I was within an eyelash of getting them myself when they were first listed.

    But,to my surprise,I showed some restraint:D and held off.

    A very nice pair of SDA's you have,when you get your power together,you should look into performing a few modifications on your new jems.

    Funny, I almost got the first set (SDA 2)...got busy and didn't return a call. When I did call, they were sold, but lo' and behold, he had another set he hadn't put up for sale, the 2B's that I got.

    Nice speakers!
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