RTia7 & CSia6 mod thread

VR3
VR3 Posts: 29,385
edited December 2011 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
Little bit of changes over my first RTai7 mod
- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
Post edited by VR3 on
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  • Tungx2
    Tungx2 Posts: 58
    edited July 2011
    So how is your CsiA6 mod going? what components did you put in it?

    Nice work so far!
    TV.......................Samsung 46" LCD LN46A550
    A/V Receiver.........Yamaha RX-V3900
    Amplifier.............. Emotiva XPA-1 Gen 2 for fronts, XPA-3 Gen 2 for center and Surrounds.
    BluRay Player.........Sony PS3
    Fronts...................RTia9 (modded)
    Center.............. ...CSiA6 (modded)
    Surrounds.............Empty for now. But waiting for a Fxi A6 deal on polk ebay.
    Rear Surrounds.... Deciding if front presence is the way to go instead.
    Sub..................... SVS PB12-plus/2
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,385
    edited July 2011
    Hey!

    I have not started on the CSiA6 but I am using Clarity Cap PX and ESA with Mills resistors
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Tungx2
    Tungx2 Posts: 58
    edited July 2011
    I opened my csia6 and i can't figure out what the yellow capacitor is?

    it reads 0.47J100V

    so i think it's 0.47 something at 100volts.

    but i'm in the process of ordering parts for my sonicaps, and i don't know what to replace the yellow component with.

    Dang!

    Also, sonicap doesn't offer 82UF capacitors, any recommendations?
    TV.......................Samsung 46" LCD LN46A550
    A/V Receiver.........Yamaha RX-V3900
    Amplifier.............. Emotiva XPA-1 Gen 2 for fronts, XPA-3 Gen 2 for center and Surrounds.
    BluRay Player.........Sony PS3
    Fronts...................RTia9 (modded)
    Center.............. ...CSiA6 (modded)
    Surrounds.............Empty for now. But waiting for a Fxi A6 deal on polk ebay.
    Rear Surrounds.... Deciding if front presence is the way to go instead.
    Sub..................... SVS PB12-plus/2
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  • Outfitter03
    Outfitter03 Posts: 563
    edited July 2011
    The something is a capacitor and the j means 5% tolerance. For the 82uf here are two choices:

    Two of these: http://www.parts-express.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?PartNumber=027-442

    One of these: http://www.madisound.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=356_5_351_385&products_id=8166

    5% tolerance would equal 4.1uf so either is within specification.
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  • Tungx2
    Tungx2 Posts: 58
    edited July 2011
    Thanks so much for the reply.

    so which would work to replace that 0.47J100V component?

    0.47uF / 600VDC
    4uF / 200VDC
    4uF / 400VDC
    4uF / 600VDC
    4.3uF / 200VDC

    Also, Sorry to be such a newbie at this. I wasn't able to find a good diagram to explain which capacitor on the MDF is for low/mid/high?

    dang, just for the 82uF is going to cost 41+30 dollars of shipping.

    I wonder what that 82uF is for. Perhaps I can leave that component alone on my CSi A6
    TV.......................Samsung 46" LCD LN46A550
    A/V Receiver.........Yamaha RX-V3900
    Amplifier.............. Emotiva XPA-1 Gen 2 for fronts, XPA-3 Gen 2 for center and Surrounds.
    BluRay Player.........Sony PS3
    Fronts...................RTia9 (modded)
    Center.............. ...CSiA6 (modded)
    Surrounds.............Empty for now. But waiting for a Fxi A6 deal on polk ebay.
    Rear Surrounds.... Deciding if front presence is the way to go instead.
    Sub..................... SVS PB12-plus/2
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  • Outfitter03
    Outfitter03 Posts: 563
    edited July 2011
    0.47uf.

    If you want further help it would be best to draw a little sketch of the circuit or possibly with some labeling added, post pictures of the traces on the PCB. Vr3MxStyler2k3 may be able to help if he is working on one of these.

    From the pictures it is not possible to know how the components all hook together.

    Most likely the 82uf capacitor shunts the low frequency signals below the bottom crossover point to the negative lead.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 51,674
    edited July 2011
    The .47uF is a bypass cap, which isn't needed when replacing the other caps with better quality. However, the value is kind of large for a bypass cap, so I would increase the value of whatever it is suppose to bypass by .5uF.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • PrazVT
    PrazVT Posts: 1,607
    edited July 2011
    dang, just for the 82uF is going to cost 41+30 dollars of shipping.

    I wonder what that 82uF is for. Perhaps I can leave that component alone on my CSi A6

    I ended up springing for it but I think it'll be on a separate breadboard that I'll have to hot glue to the inside cab. I'm sure Trey'll post a pic when he gets to the CSi A6
    Dali Optikon 1Mk2
    NAD D3020 V2
    Schiit Bifrost 2/64

    ..the rest are headphone setups.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,385
    edited July 2011
    Here is an updated pic - just running these at full tilt to make sure everything looks solid....

    Once they are done testing I am going to go pick up some shorter threaded rod and I am going to do the CSiA6 with the same method and mount the 82uf on top..
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • PrazVT
    PrazVT Posts: 1,607
    edited July 2011
    I get what you're saying now about the 'same method' - that'll make installation a little easier.
    Dali Optikon 1Mk2
    NAD D3020 V2
    Schiit Bifrost 2/64

    ..the rest are headphone setups.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,385
    edited July 2011
    CSiA6 done!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • PrazVT
    PrazVT Posts: 1,607
    edited July 2011
    LOL that is quite a cap ;) But it should fit fine. Thanks Trey!
    Dali Optikon 1Mk2
    NAD D3020 V2
    Schiit Bifrost 2/64

    ..the rest are headphone setups.
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  • Tungx2
    Tungx2 Posts: 58
    edited July 2011
    So how did it sound after the upgrade?

    Worth the upgrade on the CSI A6?

    Looking forward to hear from you.

    Good job on the upgrade!
    TV.......................Samsung 46" LCD LN46A550
    A/V Receiver.........Yamaha RX-V3900
    Amplifier.............. Emotiva XPA-1 Gen 2 for fronts, XPA-3 Gen 2 for center and Surrounds.
    BluRay Player.........Sony PS3
    Fronts...................RTia9 (modded)
    Center.............. ...CSiA6 (modded)
    Surrounds.............Empty for now. But waiting for a Fxi A6 deal on polk ebay.
    Rear Surrounds.... Deciding if front presence is the way to go instead.
    Sub..................... SVS PB12-plus/2
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  • jbooker82
    jbooker82 Posts: 1,627
    edited July 2011
    It was worth it on mine. Trey did a good job and they sound great.
    AVR: Onkyo Tx-NR808
    Amplifier: Carver A-753x 250 watts x 3
    Fronts: Polk RTI A7 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Center: CSI A4 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Rear: FXI A4
    Sub: Polk DSW Pro 660wi
    TV: LG Infinia 50PX950 3D
    Speaker Cable: AudioQuest Type 8
    IC: AudioQuest Black Mamba II
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  • PrazVT
    PrazVT Posts: 1,607
    edited July 2011
    Hey guys - got the crossovers today and I've run into a snag. The Parasound HCA-1000A amp that powers the center seems to have bit the dust. I got as far as installing the CSi A6 crossovers and putting drivers back in and then realized I wasn't getting any sound of the speaker.

    Took the center apart again to make sure everything was in tact, tried another amp and they are working. So looks like the center amp crapped out - ugh. That's 2 / 3 used amps dying on me (the other was the 2200ii). Anyway - will use the receiver for power right now until I get a new amp (Parasound 2125 or A23 perhaps). I should have everything hooked up by tonight so I'll report back.

    Thanks again Trey!
    Dali Optikon 1Mk2
    NAD D3020 V2
    Schiit Bifrost 2/64

    ..the rest are headphone setups.
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  • PrazVT
    PrazVT Posts: 1,607
    edited July 2011
    Connected up the RTi A7s - had to chip a little off the breadboards to get the xo's in but they're in :). Played a few tunes and first thing I noticed was the improved clarity. Highs are a wee bit harsh, but went through the same with the LSi9s. They'll settle after the burn in period.
    Dali Optikon 1Mk2
    NAD D3020 V2
    Schiit Bifrost 2/64

    ..the rest are headphone setups.
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  • jbooker82
    jbooker82 Posts: 1,627
    edited July 2011
    yea the wood opening isnt much larger than the plastic binding plate.
    AVR: Onkyo Tx-NR808
    Amplifier: Carver A-753x 250 watts x 3
    Fronts: Polk RTI A7 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Center: CSI A4 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Rear: FXI A4
    Sub: Polk DSW Pro 660wi
    TV: LG Infinia 50PX950 3D
    Speaker Cable: AudioQuest Type 8
    IC: AudioQuest Black Mamba II
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  • sandworms
    sandworms Posts: 1,043
    edited July 2011
    Vr3MxStyler2k3 wrote: »
    CSiA6 done!

    looks awesome, please give us a review!
    Samsung pn64f8500
    Sonus faber venere 2.5
    Sf venere center
    Oppo 105d
    Squeezebox touch
    Parasound hca1500a
    Apc power filter
    Audioquest cables asst
    Polk rtia3 SB
    Polk fxia6 sl,sr
    Dual hsu vtf3 mk3

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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,385
    edited July 2011
    Hey Praz!
    Glad to hear they arrived in one piece! The brightness will go away with time!

    Sucks to hear about that amp! Thanks for the opprotunity to mod your crossovers and let me know what ya think!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • PrazVT
    PrazVT Posts: 1,607
    edited July 2011
    Trey - you did an awesome job man!! Very professionally done and yes - they made it back in one piece :) Definitely worth the wait.

    I had to take a break for a few hours after putting the speakers back together. Going to clean up the HT area (too many wires ..ugly) and hopefully in a couple of hours I can fire it all up!

    As for the amp - yeah kinda sucks. But I paid $275 for it and Parasound will probably charge me $230 to fix, so decided on replacing it with a newer, lightly used Parasound 2125 off of Audiogon.
    Dali Optikon 1Mk2
    NAD D3020 V2
    Schiit Bifrost 2/64

    ..the rest are headphone setups.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,385
    edited July 2011
    Ah shucks!

    Thanks man!!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • PrazVT
    PrazVT Posts: 1,607
    edited July 2011
    Finally finished reorganizing the whole rack, positioning the speakers, and running Audyssey. Listening to some McCartney, Lennon, and Beatles FLACs in PLII mode to test out the center - wow the front stage has been transformed! It's like the day I hooked up an amp to the A7s. Clean, powerful sound - more detailed - very nice. and the center sounds more integrated and seamless. Once it's back on amp power it'll be even better.
    Dali Optikon 1Mk2
    NAD D3020 V2
    Schiit Bifrost 2/64

    ..the rest are headphone setups.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,385
    edited July 2011
    Bad ****!!!

    Thats totally awesome!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • PrazVT
    PrazVT Posts: 1,607
    edited August 2011
    Rather than start a new thread - perhaps I should add it on here. I've run audyssey about 10 times today after noticing that every time I do it, the right RTi A7 is ~1dB louder than the left one. The speakers are perfectly symmetric w/ the same amount of toe in.

    I checked all the ICs, the speaker jumpers, swapped out the speaker cable and checked the volume level on the Halo A21 amp and everything seems ok. But Audyssey keeps setting the right RTi A7 -0.5dB or it'll set the left one +0.5dB. I set the mic at the absolute middle as well. Verified with my spl meter that the left speaker tends to measure at 77.6dB while the right speaker is pushing 78.2dB or so.. very odd.

    Is there any risk of speaker output being uneven when the crossovers are modded? Just trying to rule out things..

    Thanks,

    Praz
    Dali Optikon 1Mk2
    NAD D3020 V2
    Schiit Bifrost 2/64

    ..the rest are headphone setups.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 51,674
    edited August 2011
    Since they are not left/right specific, swap sides and test again.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,385
    edited August 2011
    .... That is incredibly odd...

    1db louder? Wow - I cant think of anything that could cause such a monster. We used the same parts across the board and I dont think there is any issue that could cause this. We used the same values everywhere as well..

    Keep me updated.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 51,674
    edited August 2011
    Chances are that Audyssey is picking up a room anomaly and compensating for it.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,982
    edited August 2011
    F1nut wrote: »
    Chances are that Audyssey is picking up a room anomaly and compensating for it.

    Yep !!! thats what my money would be on..
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  • PrazVT
    PrazVT Posts: 1,607
    edited August 2011
    F1nut, I think you're right - with street traffic and perhaps my positioning of the mic, I may have repeatedly been off a bit each time. I just ran it one more time after adjusting the mic and both speakers measured exactly the same.

    Trey - sorry, didn't mean to cast any doubt on your work. You did an incredible job :) Perhaps I'm getting a little too obsessive about this stuff!
    Dali Optikon 1Mk2
    NAD D3020 V2
    Schiit Bifrost 2/64

    ..the rest are headphone setups.
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  • PrazVT
    PrazVT Posts: 1,607
    edited August 2011
    Yep !!! thats what my money would be on..

    I think you guys are right. As it is, my living room is shaped funny. It's kind of an asymmetrical trapezoid (one end is at an angle) b/c I have a corner apt. Time to put the tape measure away ;)
    Dali Optikon 1Mk2
    NAD D3020 V2
    Schiit Bifrost 2/64

    ..the rest are headphone setups.
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