RTiA9 Mod thread

13

Comments

  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,385
    edited September 2011
    Yep it is a hoss...

    This one is a little different than the first one I did - the 12 uf was OOS on the first one and I used dual 6's so my arrangement was different.

    I am getting faster though - clocked myself at... 1 hour and 45 minutes on this one! :)

    Going to throw it on the tester tomorrow!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,385
    edited September 2011
    This was an extremely difficult mod.

    Arranging the bypass caps on the stack was... interesting!

    I think it would actually be easier to replace the original caps if you could make room on my tower of power!!

    Turned out good, dont have enough drivers to test the whole speaker so I am testing each board separately -

    SKRILLEX sounds odd with no bass! lol
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,385
    edited September 2011
    I also find it interesting that the markings on the RTia boards for the values are never matched to the values on the caps.

    I am curious to see how they would sound using the board specs...
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • gdehlers
    gdehlers Posts: 6
    edited September 2011
    I would like a little more education on how you tested these crossovers. what is SKRILLEX
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,385
    edited September 2011
    I do quick measurements with a volt/ohm meter and will throw on the wt3 with drivers just to see what my receiver will see so I dont blow anything up and then I just run the crossovers full bore for about 20 minutes...

    skrillex is a dubstep artist lol
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • cstmar01
    cstmar01 Posts: 4,424
    edited September 2011
    Cool to see things are turning out well. I put my a9s into my 2 channel tonight and man they still sound good just a little bright still. Have to say if the mod helps clean that up a bit great speakers equals amazing speakers for the price
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,385
    edited September 2011
    Would be easy to clean the highs up - has a 9uf on the high frequency circuit - throw like an ESA series cap in there... change out the resistors on the board and would make for a quick improvement at a low cost!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • JimAckley
    JimAckley Posts: 1,138
    edited September 2011
    Trey, what is the big cap in the center's xover?
    - Computer Rig -
    YAΘIN MS-20L, polkaudio RT5

    - Main Rig -
    Pioneer SC-37, Overnight Sensations, Samsung 52" LCD

    - Currently In Progress -
    Curt Campbell's Uluwatu LCR, LMS Ultra Gjallarhorn, JBL W15GTi stereo subs, 2.1 entertainment system for the gf
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,385
    edited September 2011
    82uf (csia6)
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • ShadesPG
    ShadesPG Posts: 89
    edited September 2011
    skrillex with no bass might actually sound better than regular skrillex
    My Living Room
    2 Channel
    source > Sony DA555ES >
    Kenwood GE-74 > Marantz SR4400 > Rotel RB980BX > Polk SDA2.
    Pioneer VSX-D909S > Carver TFM-25 > Polk SDA1c.
    Pioneer Elite VSX-99 > PSB imageB25.
    Marantz 2226 > Polk SDA CRS.
    Yamaha RX-V690 > Velodyne Servo F1000.
    Home Theater
    source > Onkyo TX-DS898 > B&W CC6 (center), B&W DM603, B&W DM601, B&W Rock Solid (rears), B&W AS6.
    Bedroom
    source > Pioneer Elite VSX-92TXH> ML Quest, B&W DM600 (center), B&W DM601 (rears), Velodyne Servo F1000.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,687
    edited September 2011
    ShadesPG wrote: »
    skrillex with no bass might actually sound better than regular skrillex

    I disagree with that statement 100%.

    Sometimes Skrillex is the best way to start the morning "I want to kill everybody in the world...."... specially for us IT folks that have to stay up late/overnight to fix someone elses screwup :eek: and then be back into the office @ 9 the next morning.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • pdxfj
    pdxfj Posts: 376
    edited September 2011
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    I disagree with that statement 100%.

    Sometimes Skrillex is the best way to start the morning "I want to kill everybody in the world...."... specially for us IT folks that have to stay up late/overnight to fix someone elses screwup :eek: and then be back into the office @ 9 the next morning.

    That is way too true for those of us in the IT world.

    I found using old computer equipment for target practice is very therapeutic. One thing I use to do with one friend is to set keyboards at 50, 100, 150 yards then break out the 10-22's with scopes and bi-pods and call out keys to pick off.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,687
    edited September 2011
    pdxfj wrote: »
    That is way too true for those of us in the IT world.

    I found using old computer equipment for target practice is very therapeutic. One thing I use to do with one friend is to set keyboards at 50, 100, 150 yards then break out the 10-22's with scopes and bi-pods and call out keys to pick off.

    Personally I just want to re-arrange the keys on a persons keyboard to say things..... use your imagination :smile:
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • Tungx2
    Tungx2 Posts: 58
    edited October 2011
    just wondering, if the largest cap value is not sufficient, you can link two lower value caps together in parallel for the use of one large cap?

    for an example:

    if 82uf is not present, you can link two 41uf to fit into that slot? Would you join them as parallel circuit? or just link them together? (or something like that)
    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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  • Esreuter
    Esreuter Posts: 176
    edited October 2011
    Hey Vrm,

    what do you run the XO at full bore for 20mins?

    any particular reason a guy should do that?

    ESR:idea:
    AVR: Sony 5600ES
    Center: CS2II (Clarity Caps PX, Perfect Lay coil, Mundorf resistors)
    Front: Monitor 70 II (Clarity Caps PX, Perfect Lay coils, Mundorf resistors)
    Surrounds: Monitor 40 II (Clarity Caps PX, Perfect Lay coil, Mundorf resistors)
    Rear Surrounds: Monitor 40 II (Clarity Caps PX, Perfect Lay coil, Mundorf resistors)
    More to come :biggrin:
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  • jbooker82
    jbooker82 Posts: 1,627
    edited October 2011
    I believe he does that to conferm that there is no probelms with the xo. That way he doesnt ship them back and have something burn up or short out.
    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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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,385
    edited October 2011
    jbooker82 wrote: »
    I believe he does that to conferm that there is no probelms with the xo. That way he doesnt ship them back and have something burn up or short out.

    What he said
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited October 2011
    So I was thinking today...

    The LSI's have a cascade mid-range as does the RTI A series. I've read some owners swapping the top and bottom drivers to bring the primary driver more at ear level. Has anyone tried this with the A9's? I find my ear level is between the lower mid-range driver and tweeter, maybe more on par with the driver.

    Would there be any benefit to swapping the stock driver location? I'm set on doing crossovers in the future but this has intrigued me.
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited October 2011
    Anyone...?

    I might try this mod this weekend.
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  • mufsoman
    mufsoman Posts: 636
    edited October 2011
    This may be a dumb question, but....the wires running between the circuit boards and the binding posts shown in Vr3m's photo above appear to be very thin. What's the purpose of using heavy gauge speaker cables if the wire feeding the binding post is small in the first place? I've noticed this in other stock speakers also and even my SVS sub internal wiring. Even the wiring between the circuit boards and the individual speakers are thin. Ideally, shouldn't all internal and external wiring be the same gauge otherwise your only as good as your weakest link (or smallest wire)???
    Sony 83A80L TV and Roku Ultra
    Denon 3800
    Parasound HCA-2205A
    SVS Prime towers, center channel and bookshelfs (side surrounds)
    Atmos: Mirage Nanosats x 4
    Turbo MFW-15 x 2
    Panasonic DP-UB820
    APC H15
    Morrow MA4 & AQ Cobra IC's, AQ Midnight speaker cables
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,385
    edited October 2011
    That short of a distance does not make any distance and you wouldnt know it but that wire is like 3 bucks a foot... crazy right?

    It is DH Labs wire, copper silver plated :)
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • gp4jesus
    gp4jesus Posts: 2,016
    edited October 2011
    mufsoman wrote: »
    ...the wires running between the circuit boards and the binding posts... ...appear to be very thin. ... if the wire feeding the binding post is small in the first place? I've noticed this in other speakers also and even my SVS sub internal wiring. Even the wiring between the circuit boards and the individual speakers are thin...wiring be the same gauge ...only as good as your weakest link (or smallest wire)???
    Will this topic about wire ever be laid to rest?

    I apologize that what follows will confuse. I'm a big fan of re-wiring woofers, and, depending the range, mids. Your right about the thin wire, etc... At the same time these are very short runs that have affect things little unless you crank your system regularly (like me!).

    cheers tony
    Samsung 60" QN65Q7FAMFXZA QLED, Outlaw Audio 976 Pre/Pro, Samsung BDP, Amazon Firestick, Phillips CD Changer

    Canare 14 ga - LCR tweeters inside*; Ctr Ch outside
    BJC 10 ga - LCR mids “Foamed” & “Plugged**”, inside* & out
    8 ga Powerline: LR woofers, inside* & out
    *soldered **Rob the Man (Xschop)

    LR: Tri-amped RTi A7 w/Rotels*. Woofers - 980BX; Tweets & Mids - RB981*
    Ctr Ch: Rotel RB981* -> Bi-amped CSi A6
    Surrounds: Rotel 981* -> AR 12 ga -> RTi A3
    *all connected w/Premiere ICs
    5 Subs: Sunfire True SW Signature -> LFE & Ctr Ch; 4 Audio Pro Evidence @ the “Corners”

    Power Conditioning & Distribution:
    4 dedicated 20A feeds; APC H15; 5 Furman Miniport 20s
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,385
    edited October 2011
    gp4jesus wrote: »
    At the same time these are very short runs that have affect things little unless you crank your system regularly (like me!).

    cheers tony

    This is complete misinformation and retarded...

    2" of 18 guage wire can handle more power than you can throw at it.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • JimAckley
    JimAckley Posts: 1,138
    edited October 2011
    Drenis wrote: »
    So I was thinking today...

    The LSI's have a cascade mid-range as does the RTI A series. I've read some owners swapping the top and bottom drivers to bring the primary driver more at ear level. Has anyone tried this with the A9's? I find my ear level is between the lower mid-range driver and tweeter, maybe more on par with the driver.

    Would there be any benefit to swapping the stock driver location? I'm set on doing crossovers in the future but this has intrigued me.

    It just depends on your listening height. I swapped the drivers in my LSi25s because my ears were a great deal closer to the height of the lower woofers than the upper woofers, and I felt it brought things to a better level. Give it a shot and let us know what you come up with.
    - Computer Rig -
    YAΘIN MS-20L, polkaudio RT5

    - Main Rig -
    Pioneer SC-37, Overnight Sensations, Samsung 52" LCD

    - Currently In Progress -
    Curt Campbell's Uluwatu LCR, LMS Ultra Gjallarhorn, JBL W15GTi stereo subs, 2.1 entertainment system for the gf
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,385
    edited October 2011
    I find it interesting that Polk does not cut the lows out of the midrange drivers in the RT series towers...

    The RTi12 and A9 pump bass through the midbass drivers like no more tomorrow... strange
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • JimAckley
    JimAckley Posts: 1,138
    edited October 2011
    interesting indeed, seeing as they crossed out of the drivers on the LSi25s.
    - Computer Rig -
    YAΘIN MS-20L, polkaudio RT5

    - Main Rig -
    Pioneer SC-37, Overnight Sensations, Samsung 52" LCD

    - Currently In Progress -
    Curt Campbell's Uluwatu LCR, LMS Ultra Gjallarhorn, JBL W15GTi stereo subs, 2.1 entertainment system for the gf
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,385
    edited October 2011
    Yeah

    Actually come to think of it I dont think the A9 allows bass to pass through but the RTi12 definitely do...

    The crossovers in the RTi series get progressively better as the line gets more expensive... EX: the A9 uses a poly cap in the tweeter network and highpassed midbasses....
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • gp4jesus
    gp4jesus Posts: 2,016
    edited October 2011
    Vr3MxStyler2k3 wrote: »
    I find it interesting that Polk does not cut the lows out of the midrange drivers in the RT series towers...

    The RTi12 and A9 pump bass* through the midbass* drivers like no tomorrow... strange
    I love to hear others say what I've been saying for over a year... ...in spite of what Polk's website & CS says and and those who believe them. That said RTi A7*s for sure*; and likely their RTi predicessors, 10s.

    that said, Trey, when modding XOs, which brand & model cap do prefer for inline use? shunt use?

    thnx in advance, tony
    Samsung 60" QN65Q7FAMFXZA QLED, Outlaw Audio 976 Pre/Pro, Samsung BDP, Amazon Firestick, Phillips CD Changer

    Canare 14 ga - LCR tweeters inside*; Ctr Ch outside
    BJC 10 ga - LCR mids “Foamed” & “Plugged**”, inside* & out
    8 ga Powerline: LR woofers, inside* & out
    *soldered **Rob the Man (Xschop)

    LR: Tri-amped RTi A7 w/Rotels*. Woofers - 980BX; Tweets & Mids - RB981*
    Ctr Ch: Rotel RB981* -> Bi-amped CSi A6
    Surrounds: Rotel 981* -> AR 12 ga -> RTi A3
    *all connected w/Premiere ICs
    5 Subs: Sunfire True SW Signature -> LFE & Ctr Ch; 4 Audio Pro Evidence @ the “Corners”

    Power Conditioning & Distribution:
    4 dedicated 20A feeds; APC H15; 5 Furman Miniport 20s
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,385
    edited October 2011
    "I" prefer?? lol

    Clarity Cap MR lol

    What I recommend to folks looking to get their stuff modded -

    PX, SA, ESA, MR (any of those depending on their budget) if they opt for a PX I recommend bypassing with a ESA or MR...

    For shunt use, depending on what I am using elsewhere - I may just bypass them with a ESA or replace them with a PX series or Solen
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • JimAckley
    JimAckley Posts: 1,138
    edited October 2011
    So you don't like PX as an in line?
    - Computer Rig -
    YAΘIN MS-20L, polkaudio RT5

    - Main Rig -
    Pioneer SC-37, Overnight Sensations, Samsung 52" LCD

    - Currently In Progress -
    Curt Campbell's Uluwatu LCR, LMS Ultra Gjallarhorn, JBL W15GTi stereo subs, 2.1 entertainment system for the gf
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