Can I do this with the SDA-SRS??

Lightstar1

I know that the original SDA-SRS speakers require an amplifier that is common ground but I am not sure if the one I have is. Could someone tell me if I can connect my Carver Lightstar Reference 2.0 amp and Carver 4000T Pre-amp to my set of original SDA-SRS speakers? Is the Lightstar Reference 2.0 a common ground amp?? Is there anything I need to know about this set-up? Thanks for your help!!

Lightstar1

Osarion

That's a dual mono with 2 power cords right? I would guess it's not common ground. Maybe check on the Carver forums if nobody here knows. Nice amp Btw!

F1nut

The 2.0 has only one power cord. However, I don't know if it's common ground or not. Do you own a VOM?

Lightstar1

Do I own a VOM??...sorry F1nut, I am a little stupid sometimes so what is a VOM? By the way, you are correct, the 2.0 has one power cord. I used to visit the Carver forum but honestly didn't get a lot of help especially when I mentioned I had problems with a ribbon I sent in for repair to a certain exclusive "expert", spent good money and enjoyed that new ribbon for very few hours of music before it had a problem. Got absolutely no offer for some relief from that "expert". Oh yes, I got the "try this, and try that" but nothing worked. So....thought it would be best to ask over here to see if someone could tell me for sure if the 2.0 Carver Reference amp could be used on the original SDA-SRS big boys.

TNRabbit

Lightstar1 wrote: »

Do I own a VOM??...sorry F1nut, I am a little stupid sometimes so what is a VOM? By the way, you are correct, the 2.0 has one power cord. I used to visit the Carver forum but honestly didn't get a lot of help especially when I mentioned I had problems with a ribbon I sent in for repair to a certain exclusive "expert", spent good money and enjoyed that new ribbon for very few hours of music before it had a problem. Got absolutely no offer for some relief from that "expert". Oh yes, I got the "try this, and try that" but nothing worked. So....thought it would be best to ask over here to see if someone could tell me for sure if the 2.0 Carver Reference amp could be used on the original SDA-SRS big boys.

Here's the link you're referring to: http://www.carveraudio.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7189

I read that and all the other threads you posted; the repair was 3-4 years old, & obviously out of warranty (not their fault), even though you stated you'd only used them 8 hours total in those 4 years (again, not their fault). Also, SEVERAL folks tried to help you with the problem, but the thread died when you didn't get back to us. Also, on the "got no offer for some relief", Toy Maker offered to repair them if you were close by, which you weren't. It didn't sound like you were interested in shipping them back to him, but I'm certain if you'd inquired, he'd have offered a discounted repair. So if you're going to make hints/accusations, I suggest you put ALL the information out there instead of slamming someone who isn't here to defend themselves.

A VOM is a Volt/Ohm Meter and used for testing continuity; F1Nut is suggesting you check for common ground on the amp with the VOM. Of course, you could always ask Bob Carver directly: bob.sunfire@gmail.com

ViperZ

TNRabbit wrote: »

A VOM is a Volt/Ohm Meter and used for testing continuity; F1Nut is suggesting you check for common ground on the amp with the VOM. Of course, you could always ask Bob Carver directly: bob.sunfire@gmail.com
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To dissemimate what he is really saying is: take a multimeter, set it to measure resistance, and measure the resistance between negative terminals of your amplifier. If you measure close to 0 Ohm, your amp is common ground.

kcoc321

ViperZ wrote: »

To dissemimate what he is really saying is: take a multimeter, set it to measure resistance, and measure the resistance between negative terminals of your amplifier. If you measure close to 0 Ohm, your amp is common ground.

thanks Viper. Is that method an universal way to check for common ground?
I have a friend that just got some SDSII's and he needs to know about his amp.

ViperZ

kcoc321 wrote: »

thanks Viper. Is that method an universal way to check for common ground?
I have a friend that just got some SDSII's and he needs to know about his amp.

Pretty much, yes.

Common ground amp means that the grounds are tied together. The reason why grounds may not be tied together is due to some kind of feedback circuitry on the channels, or to reduce noise propagation, etc.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6341

Lightstar1

TNRabbit....sorry I upset you but you don't know all of the facts but how could you??? I didn't state them all. The repair lasted very short period of time. As a matter of fact, I had contacted the repairer about the ribbon buzzing right after I got it back and reinstalled it...again, the standard suggested fixes. The ribbon in question has been out of service for all but a few hours in the time frame since it was repaired. None of the suggested fixes by others worked but I don't proclaim to be anything more than a novice. The "offer" would have required me to once again pay shipping and as I understood repair of the ribbon....but I could have misunderstood...I didn't feel confident enough at that point to have invested in one ribbon the price that I could purchase a pair of good used Amazings. I expected the ribbon to last for years, not weeks or months. My mistake here was to even mention it and for that I apologize....I just am relaying my experience and mine could have been a unique circumstance. I am sure that the repairer is very knowledgeable in the repair of the Carver ribbons and again, it is possible that my case was "unique". The guys on the Carver form are a good bunch and the "lack" of help I referred to above was only referring to the ribbon repair. After I had posted, I realized what "VOM" meant, I was thinking at first it was a speaker term but then it made sense...thanks for the help. Thanks ViperZ for spelling it out for me...I will check it out.
Lightstar1

heiney9

TNRabbit wrote: »

Here's the link you're referring to: http://www.carveraudio.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7189

I read that and all the other threads you posted; the repair was 3-4 years old, & obviously out of warranty (not their fault), even though you stated you'd only used them 8 hours total in those 4 years (again, not their fault). Also, SEVERAL folks tried to help you with the problem, but the thread died when you didn't get back to us. Also, on the "got no offer for some relief", Toy Maker offered to repair them if you were close by, which you weren't. It didn't sound like you were interested in shipping them back to him, but I'm certain if you'd inquired, he'd have offered a discounted repair. So if you're going to make hints/accusations, I suggest you put ALL the information out there instead of slamming someone who isn't here to defend themselves.

A VOM is a Volt/Ohm Meter and used for testing continuity; F1Nut is suggesting you check for common ground on the amp with the VOM. Of course, you could always ask Bob Carver directly: bob.sunfire@gmail.com

Why would you drag this CRAP over here to the Polk Forum? Some of you Carver guys just love to get the stick out and poke...............don;t you. Keep that crap over there where it belongs!!!!! :rolleyes::rolleyes:

All you had to do was post the 2nd paragraph to answer the OP's question.

H9

Lightstar1

Heiney9...you are absolutely right and it wouldn't have happened had I not mentioned it so it is my fault. I should have stayed on track and my comments had nothing to do with the help I needed.....I went off on a tangent that I thought was explaining why I was asking here but certainly was not necessary....hope you guys accept my apology.....
Lightstar1

heiney9

I know that many members are members of both forums...............but this stuff starts out innocuous enough and then it just explodes and spirals downhill. That's the only reason I commented.

Using the VOM to measure resistance between the negative speaker terminals will indicate for certain if you have a common ground amp.

GL

H9

Lightstar1

Just thought I would let you all know that the test with the VOM determined that the Carver Reference 2.0 Amp is in fact a common ground amp....so....a couple of hours ago I finished connecting it to my SDA-SRS speakers along with a Carver 4000T pre-amp and...HOLY COW....sure made a difference in the sound! Thanks for the help.

Lightstar1

heiney9

Enjoy!!!!!

Lightstar1

Thanks Heiney....now I have got to get back to Ben and have my crossovers upgraded...the left channel SDA array doesn't work and in testing the left crossover several months back (last winter!!) I discovered no signal coming from the crossover to the SDA array. I was about ready to have Ben do the work when I had a whole group of personal events take place that kept me from following through. Hopefully I can get this done since I understand that Ben is the best!! He sure was helpful and very nice over the phone and in our e-mails.

Thanks!

Osarion

Congrats on getting it all hooked up! I guess the original Lightstar was the one with 2 power cords? Got any pics of your amp/setup? I need to see some audio ****.

F1nut

Hopefully I can get this done since I understand that Ben is the best!!

He is the only one here willing to do it for money. If that makes him the best, then........

F1nut

I guess the original Lightstar was the one with 2 power cords?

That is correct. They are two very different amps.

Lightstar1

F1nut....you mean there is someone here willing to do it for nothing (other than the parts of course)??? The main reason why I didn't go ahead with it is because the loss of my position so money is tight... I read from others their satisfaction as far as Ben's work and I realize there are others here that do the crossover upgrades....some even do it themselves but I am not in the same league as you guys so I wouldn't attempt it. Any ideas or suggestions on how I might be able to get the job done right and a little sooner/less expensive would be greatly appreciated!