whats a good price- SDA 1's

cstmar01

On craiglist someone is selling Polk Audio SDA 1 for 300.00 its a pick up in Milwaukee.
http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/ele/1454873628.html
Now I would like to get into some more vintage stuff as just for fun and was wondering if 300.00 is a good deal on these or not. I would have to drive about 2 hours to get them so the cost of gas would be in there as well but if they are worth it, I might have to do it.
Thanks!

Tony M

Make sure he doesn't have 2 left speakers...

sellers will take $ off for gas usually..

leroyjr1

That seller is an **** hole. He had them posted for $150 a couple weeks ago and when I went to pick them up he told me he changed the price to $300 because he got so many emails on the speakers. Still a great buy at $300. He's not too far from my job if you need me to pick them up for you.

cstmar01

hmm. I didn't realize the SDA had a designated L R configuration. How can you tell, will it acutally say on there? Lee did you happen to get to see these in person at all? I was just wondering in what kind of condition they are in. Thats such a BS move to say 150 then move to 300. Hmm with crap move like that I dont' know if I would want to deal with him.

cstmar01

tony millard wrote: »

Make sure he doesn't have 2 left speakers...

sellers will take $ off for gas usually..

wow I need to get my eyes checked. It does say left on the back in both pics. This coming into work 2 hours early and staying 2 hours late is taking a toll on my brain.

leroyjr1

cstmar01 wrote: »

hmm. I didn't realize the SDA had a designated L R configuration. How can you tell, will it acutally say on there? Lee did you happen to get to see these in person at all? I was just wondering in what kind of condition they are in. Thats such a BS move to say 150 then move to 300. Hmm with crap move like that I dont' know if I would want to deal with him.

No, didn't see them. When I first talked to him he stated they were excellent no dents or scratches, just a little dusty. He also doesn't have the inner connect cable but I'm sure he'll take $250ish. The speakers should say left/right.

cstmar01

I left him a message asking him a few questions about them and if he would be willing to come down in price at all. I'll see if he responds back at all. Thanks for the info Lee, I'll let you know if I get any further development with it. 250 isn't bad. I could deal with that as long as they are in good condition and not beat to death.

cstmar01

sooo I guess he said he's pretty firm on the price 275 is what he said he would let them go for, he said he was kinda firm because another guy is looking at them and thats what he told him. I guess his brother originally got them some where and he bought them off of him. sooo hmm. I guess 275 isn't too bad for speakers and this would be my first pair of vintage. any thoughts??

leroyjr1

cstmar01 wrote: »

sooo I guess he said he's pretty firm on the price 275 is what he said he would let them go for, he said he was kinda firm because another guy is looking at them and thats what he told him. I guess his brother originally got them some where and he bought them off of him. sooo hmm. I guess 275 isn't too bad for speakers and this would be my first pair of vintage. any thoughts??

$275 is a great deal if they're in the condition he stated.

bluecomet

Does he have two left speakers or did he take two pictures of his left speaker. If for some reason they are two left speakers I have a feeling that would mess up the SDA effect. If the interconnect is blade/blade Polk still has them, if not Ben could make you one if it is pin blade. They look like they are SDA 1C in the studio version. I have the same set and they are great. It's a good deal if he has a left and a right speaker to make the set.

dpowell

I just paid $450 for a mint pair of SDA 1C's out here in CA. They are MINT and also came with the cable. As bluecomet said, Ben on the forum here can make the cable for you. Also, one way I believe you can tell the difference between the 1B's and the 1C's is that the 1B's had dual sets of binding posts and the 1C's only have 1 pair. You won't be able to do the left/right balance test without the SDA cable but you can do the bass radiator test where you press it in and hold it and watch the 4 midrange drivers to see if they flex out, then back in after a couple of seconds. That will tell you if you have any cabinet issues.

Like others said, be sure he has a left and right side. The pix only show two left channels but he might have just been a lazy picture taker.

dpowell

Looking at the connection diagram on the back of the speakers he has pictured, it appears there is only 1 pair of binding posts being pictured. You could have your hands on a pair of 1C's and $275 is below current market value if they are in good shape. Freddy just sold his MINT in original boxes for $400 not too long ago so I don't think you can go wrong if all else is well. Good luck!

BTW, what will you drive them with? Forum members here encouraged me to pick up a nice tubed power amp and I'm glad I did.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90582

cstmar01

ops, I forgot to add that he did say the are a left/right its just he posted the one pic twice. Hmm I honestly don't know what to drive them with. I mean I have an HT set up right now that I have some cheap mono blocks (emotiva xpa-1s) that are so-so that are driving my RTIa9's but I would want to try and find something much better for these. I know tubes are nice but don't know much about what to look for and Freddy was giving me some suggestions too lol. Thanks for the suggestions. I would have to try and get out there this weekend to pick them up if I can. I'll have to let you guys know if I get them or not!

concealer404

cstmar01 wrote: »

ops, I forgot to add that he did say the are a left/right its just he posted the one pic twice. Hmm I honestly don't know what to drive them with. I mean I have an HT set up right now that I have some cheap mono blocks (emotiva xpa-1s) that are so-so that are driving my RTIa9's but I would want to try and find something much better for these. I know tubes are nice but don't know much about what to look for and Freddy was giving me some suggestions too lol. Thanks for the suggestions. I would have to try and get out there this weekend to pick them up if I can. I'll have to let you guys know if I get them or not!

NJpolker has a Carver m1.5t for sale that would be a good match i think after it was re-conditioned.

Did Freddy recommend a Moscode?

kawizx9r

concealer404 wrote: »

NJpolker has a Carver m1.5t for sale that would be a good match i think after it was re-conditioned.

Did Freddy recommend a Moscode?

LOL

I would've but if you try to look for one.......well, don't hold your breath

NO ONE sells them, since they all love'm so much. I sure as hell do, and I'll gladly put it up against higher-priced amps.

Looks like everyone else took care of you Chris! Those speakers do need to be cleaned up though but if they're in as great of condition as the seller states then they're a no brainer at $275.

On second thought, I'd recommend a Moscode (Stephen Sank modded) if you have the funds for one and if you can find one

cstmar01

hmm we'll see what happens I guess. I asked him when he would be availble and when the posting would expire. I also offered him a little less due to the fact I'm driving but we'll see. How much do those special interconnects run for these? just curious.
Thanks!

gdb

More than a few members have replaced/upgraded the stock IC cable and receptacles with better stuff and have reported being glad they did. Might be an option for you too.;)

bluecomet

$275.00 for studio SDA 1C's is an awesome price. I wouldn't haggle too much with him. I would be in my car driving if I were you. I wouldn't want to see you lose them by low balling him. Someone else could easily come along and be willing to pay more for them. Just some advice. If you want them, go get them. You will be glad you did.

cstmar01

well I don't try to low ball, I just asked if he would lower any more seeing i'm driving and I'm just waiting for a response. I would have to try and get there this weekend as it would be a 2 hour drive or so for me, and now with the holiday don't want to get stuck in traffic. I am going to see what he says. If he's 275.00 firm then I'll probably take them, its just going to be finding the time to get out there and getting them.

geppy1

I paid $350 for my Studio 1cs and they are mint. At $275 that is a heck of a deal Remember on sites where guys are into stuff the opinion on pricing is a little less then what things can and do go for. SDAs on Ebay go for huge prices sometimes. There are 1Cs on there now at over $400 with days left. Granted they are the regular version but I bet they go for over $500 I saw a pair of 10As go for $339 a few weeks ago. Telescopes go for $500 on ebay that no one on Astromart or Cloudy Nights would pay $200 for. Same applies to stereo gear. Amps and such on Ebay sell for more sometimes then anyone on Audigon would ever pay. Ya never know. keith

cstmar01

well I guess the ad runs out 12/9/09 but I would still have to pay 300.00 I guess for these even though he said that 275.00 is the lowest he would go for an in town person. so if I buy them now 300.00 if I wait and the person who called "dibs" on them when the ad runs out gets them for 275.00 and then if he falls through I get them for 275.00. Dumb if you ask me to say I'll give him to so and so for 275.00 but you 300.00. Whatever. If I find the time in the next two weekends to get down there and pick them up and see them in person I will otherwise I'm going to have to wait a bit.
Also kinda annoying to keep putting Jesus quotes in his emails. Sorry just something that bugs me because its really not professional in a sales aspect but I guess no one is formal in anything these days. Oh well my rant. Any way thanks for the advice though guys, its now down to if I can find some time to run over to Milwaukee and pick them up.

leroyjr1

I still have his number. I'll look for it and get back to you. Before you come down I could go take a look at them for you. Let me know.

dpowell

Don't use mono blocks with these!!! You must use a common-ground amp with SDA speakers.

JohnLocke88

cstmar01 wrote: »

well I guess the ad runs out 12/9/09 but I would still have to pay 300.00 I guess for these even though he said that 275.00 is the lowest he would go for an in town person. so if I buy them now 300.00 if I wait and the person who called "dibs" on them when the ad runs out gets them for 275.00 and then if he falls through I get them for 275.00. Dumb if you ask me to say I'll give him to so and so for 275.00 but you 300.00. Whatever. If I find the time in the next two weekends to get down there and pick them up and see them in person I will otherwise I'm going to have to wait a bit.
Also kinda annoying to keep putting Jesus quotes in his emails. Sorry just something that bugs me because its really not professional in a sales aspect but I guess no one is formal in anything these days. Oh well my rant. Any way thanks for the advice though guys, its now down to if I can find some time to run over to Milwaukee and pick them up.

While I would consider $300 a fair price, guy sounds like a ****. I would wait for a non-**** to deal with.

cstmar01

dpowell wrote: »

Don't use mono blocks with these!!! You must use a common-ground amp with SDA speakers.

If I did go with them I wasn't planning on using the mono's but get something just for them. I was probably going to look at tubes possibly but now with some fixing of my stupid exploder I don't know if I'm going to be able to get them, as I don't know when my car would be decent enough to drive out to get them without having to worry about it falling apart on the way back. Stupid piece of junk.

dpowell

They are great sounding speakers. Hopefully you will be able to figure out a way to get them.