question about vintage setup, power concerns

new2sda2

Hey y'all,

Let me start by describing my current setup.

Polk SDA 2b's (the signature series, w/ only 2 mid's)
Marantz 2270 (newly recapped and serviced)
Pioneer Pl-700 tt
Generic dvd/cd player

The system sounds great, and I am very pleased with its performance, EXCEPT at high volumes. I'm a young guy, and occasionally when I'm listening to loud music, it demands to be played louder than normal listening volume. By loud, I mean that I will turn the receiver's volume knob past the half way point, but anything with a beefy base or midrange sound, like rock will seemingly cause a cracking sound. This sound happens on both speakers, but not synchronized. It occurs during "louder" bass passages, and when I increase the bass knob on the receiver it exacerbates the cracking, meaning that it happens with more frequency.

I am trying to determine if I am experiencing a speaker issue or a power supply issue. Is this due to the fact that the speakers are being pushed to their capacity? Or is this caused by the receiver failing to deliver the necessary power. Or, could my rather old house be failing to deliver enough voltage? Or is there some corrosion, or failure in one of the receiver's components, or are cross overs getting old?

I was told that the marantz 2270 is a powerful receiver, but these polk sda 2's don't seem too wimpy either. Also, I am using 14 gauge, good quality speaker wire, so I wouldn't think that to be a limiting factor.

I am too inexperienced to know. I asked my stereo technician, and he said there were too many variables for him to diagnose the problem over the phone. I thought I'd put it you guys on the forum for any suggestions.

MillerLiteScott

Welcome NewSDA2. You need a quality high current amp to push the 2B's. I have 2B's and have never heard any crackling or even distortion and elevated levels. You are going to do damage if you are not responsible with the volume knob or get an amp as described above.

Scott

ViperZ

MillerLiteScott wrote: »

Welcome NewSDA2. You need a quality high current amp to push the 2B's. I have 2B's and have never heard any crackling or even distortion and elevated levels. You are going to do damage if you are not responsible with the volume knob or get an amp as described above.

Scott

By quality high current amp he means you'd need a beast of an amp.. at least Adcom GFA-555 or better two...

dkg999

I have a restored Marantz 2270B and while a great sounding vintage receiver it's going to die trying to drive 2B's to the level you are indicating. You're going to need something with a lot more current, and the Adcom brand suggestion would be a good economical yet quality recommendation.

cnh

+1

Adcom and 2Bs a budget match made in heaven. You can't get more value than that...for your dollar. I have a GFA-555 and well....it's all been said above!

cnh

Systems

Or a Parasound HCA 2200 II should do the job. Its still kind of vintage. Maybe a Pioneer SX-1980?

heiney9

The Pioneer won;t cut it either. Adcom will do a better job than any receiver, vintage or not.

thuffman03

There are a lot of amps that would make those sing. Anything over 200 wpc should be fine. I really like my Carver TFM 25's. Something like that would work well.

ViperZ

thuffman03 wrote: »

There are a lot of amps that would make those sing. Anything over 200 wpc should be fine. I really like my Carver TFM 25's. Something like that would work well.

(and I just happen to have a TFM-24 for sale - same as 25, but with LEDs instead of meters )

thuffman03

+1 for the TFM 24. I have had one of those also. I like the LED's bouncing up and down. It's pretty cool to watch.

bluecomet

IF you can find a Luxman M-117 amp buy it. You won't be sorry. It has a tube like sound that is sweet. I power my SDA's with it. It is just another option.