Polk Audio SDA SRS 1.2TL Crossover Modification Thread

VR3
VR3 Posts: 25,112
edited May 2014 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
This one should be a lot of fun!

1) The speakers will be recorded stock!
2) Parts list is as follows -

Tweeter Network -Clarity Cap MR
Clarity Cap ESA
Mundorf Mox Resistors
Jantzen Inductors

Midbass/SDA Network -Clarity Cap ESA
Jantzen Inductors

Gimpod boards too
NL2 Connections for the SDA, Supra Rondo wire, Upgraded binding post

200 Hours or so of burn in

3) Record them modified!

This will be a fun project for sure!
- Not Tom

"No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
Post edited by VR3 on
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  • toucanet
    toucanet Posts: 570
    edited December 2012
    I'm all eyes on this one.

    Good luck!
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 25,112
    edited January 2013
    Off to record these bad boys stock! :)

    Still waiting on the inductors though to mod these!
    - Not Tom

    "No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
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  • DarqueKnight
    DarqueKnight Posts: 6,642
    edited January 2013
    Also make note of the changes in spatial properties between the stock and modified versions.
    "So hot it burns Mice!"~DK
    "Polk SDA-SRSs are hopelessly out of date both sonically and technologically... I see no value whatsoever in older SDA speakers."~Audio Asylum Member
    "Knowledge, without understanding, is a path to failure."~DK
    "Those who irrationally rail against something or someone that is no threat to them, actually desire (or desire to be like) the thing or person they are railing against."~DK
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  • Reagan
    Reagan Posts: 85
    edited January 2013
    ...in the results of this mod! (Especially since I own the pair to be modded)

    Reagan
    Speakers: Polk 1.2TL w/VR3 mods and Dreadnaught interconnects
    Amplification: ARC Reference 110 w/KT150s; Cary Audio SLP-05 w/Ultimate Upgrade
    Vinyl: VPI HW19 MK III (Heavily Modded); Origin Live Silver Tonearm; Hana ML Cart; Pete Riggle VTAF; VPI TNT Platter; SAMA; Iphono3
    Digital: Aurender N100H; Benchmark DAC1
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  • PolkieMan
    PolkieMan Posts: 2,446
    edited January 2013
    You are replacing all of the inductors too?

    VR3 wrote: »
    Off to record these bad boys stock! :)

    Still waiting on the inductors though to mod these!
    POLK SDA 2.3 TLS BOUGHT NEW IN 1990, Gimpod/Sonic Caps/Mills RDO-198
    POLK CSI-A6 POLK MONITOR 70'S ONKYO TX NR-808 SONY CDP-333ES
    PIONEER PL-510A SONY BDP S5100
    POLK SDA 1C BOUGHT USED 2011,Gimpod/Sonic Caps/Mills RDO-194
    ONKYO HT RC-360 SONY BDP S590 TECHNICS SL BD-1
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 25,112
    edited January 2013
    Yes, all board mounted and SDA
    - Not Tom

    "No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
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  • drumminman
    drumminman Posts: 3,396
    edited January 2013
    Reagan wrote: »
    ...in the results of this mod! (Especially since I own the pair to be modded)

    Reagan

    Have you spent much time with the 1.2's before the mods? I'm interested in a before and after comparison given that you're using, among other components, Clarity Cap MR's.

    You're investing some serious coin!
    "Science is suppose to explain observations not dismiss them as impossible" - Norm on AA; 2.3TL's w/sonicaps/mills/jantzen inductors, Gimpod's boards, Lg Solen SDA inductors, RD-0198's, MW's dynamatted, Armaflex speaker gaskets, H-nuts, brass spikes, Cardas CCGR BP's, upgraded IC Cable, Black Hole Damping Sheet strips, interior of cabinets sealed with Loctite Power Grab, AI-1 interface with 1000VA A-L transformer
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  • Reagan
    Reagan Posts: 85
    edited January 2013
    I've had the 1.2 TL's for about 10 years but am the original owner of SDA 1A's and 2'A's. I did the crossover upgrade on the 2A's and was quite pleased with the results. Reagan
    Speakers: Polk 1.2TL w/VR3 mods and Dreadnaught interconnects
    Amplification: ARC Reference 110 w/KT150s; Cary Audio SLP-05 w/Ultimate Upgrade
    Vinyl: VPI HW19 MK III (Heavily Modded); Origin Live Silver Tonearm; Hana ML Cart; Pete Riggle VTAF; VPI TNT Platter; SAMA; Iphono3
    Digital: Aurender N100H; Benchmark DAC1
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  • drumminman
    drumminman Posts: 3,396
    edited January 2013
    Reagan wrote: »
    I've had the 1.2 TL's for about 10 years but am the original owner of SDA 1A's and 2'A's. I did the crossover upgrade on the 2A's and was quite pleased with the results. Reagan

    Cool - looking forward to your impressions.
    "Science is suppose to explain observations not dismiss them as impossible" - Norm on AA; 2.3TL's w/sonicaps/mills/jantzen inductors, Gimpod's boards, Lg Solen SDA inductors, RD-0198's, MW's dynamatted, Armaflex speaker gaskets, H-nuts, brass spikes, Cardas CCGR BP's, upgraded IC Cable, Black Hole Damping Sheet strips, interior of cabinets sealed with Loctite Power Grab, AI-1 interface with 1000VA A-L transformer
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  • PolkieMan
    PolkieMan Posts: 2,446
    edited January 2013
    Are they available for the 2.3 Tls too?
    VR3 wrote: »
    Yes, all board mounted and SDA
    POLK SDA 2.3 TLS BOUGHT NEW IN 1990, Gimpod/Sonic Caps/Mills RDO-198
    POLK CSI-A6 POLK MONITOR 70'S ONKYO TX NR-808 SONY CDP-333ES
    PIONEER PL-510A SONY BDP S5100
    POLK SDA 1C BOUGHT USED 2011,Gimpod/Sonic Caps/Mills RDO-194
    ONKYO HT RC-360 SONY BDP S590 TECHNICS SL BD-1
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 25,112
    edited January 2013
    Most definitely!
    - Not Tom

    "No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 25,112
    edited February 2013
    https://soundcloud.com/vr3mods/polk-audio-sda-srs-1-2tl-stock

    Stock recording posted
    - Not Tom

    "No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 25,112
    edited February 2013
    I would have to say we captured the imaging capabilities of the SDA really well.. :)
    - Not Tom

    "No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 25,112
    edited February 2013
    Alright,

    1.2TL recording posted - lets see if Soundcloud likes me tonight!

    http://soundcloud.com/vr3mods/polk-audio-sda-srs-1-2tl-stock
    - Not Tom

    "No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
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  • Oldfatdogs
    Oldfatdogs Posts: 1,874
    edited February 2013
    Sounds good to me.Who is singing?
    Dan

    Found it Thanks
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 25,112
    edited February 2013
    That is Millage Gilbert.

    How do you feel we captured the SDA staging?
    - Not Tom

    "No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
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  • Oldfatdogs
    Oldfatdogs Posts: 1,874
    edited February 2013
    From what I can tell with my computer speakers it sounds real good.I wish I could give some more helpful feedback than that,but on these speakers just not possible.

    Dan
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 25,112
    edited February 2013
    I have another 1.2TL coming for modifications that is what I would describe as "Balls Deep"

    Clarity Cap MR on the entire tweeter network, all 12uf and .25uf caps and the midbass/SDA is all ESA.

    I am a little pumped about this!!
    - Not Tom

    "No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,293
    edited February 2013
    So Trey what are you impressions?
    Carl

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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 25,112
    edited February 2013
    Of the recording?

    I have a lot of opinions but I want to hear everyones opinions first... :)
    - Not Tom

    "No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 14,984
    edited February 2013
    I am really thinking about putting the Clarity MR12's in my crossovers. I'm sure I will have to reconfigure my setup for them.

    Maybe I just buy them and plan on doing a full point to point external crossover..
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 25,112
    edited February 2013
    I have a brilliant idea to make the MR work and not even make it look like a mountain ;)

    Stay tuned!
    - Not Tom

    "No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 25,112
    edited February 2013
    We *might* need more room! :)
    - Not Tom

    "No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
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  • ZLTFUL
    ZLTFUL Posts: 5,499
    edited February 2013
    "Does this board make my caps look big?"

    "I think we need a bigger board..."

    Damn you Donkey Kong...stop throwing those barrels at me!
    "Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."

    "Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 25,112
    edited February 2013
    I can't wait to do the mod using the MR 12s... it is going to be SICK! :)
    - Not Tom

    "No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited February 2013
    Tony should build a new board. You know, his original seems to have gotten a bit cramped.
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 25,112
    edited February 2013
    1.2TL with ESA/Jantzen - half way done! :)
    - Not Tom

    "No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 25,112
    edited February 2013
    All wired up! :)
    - Not Tom

    "No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 14,816
    edited February 2013
    Who was it that said size doesn't matter?

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~

    ~ I have found excellence ~

    ~ The best way to enjoy digital music reproduction is to never listen to good analogue reproduction ~

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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 25,112
    edited February 2013
    Yeah those things are monsters! Three per crossover!! :)
    - Not Tom

    "No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
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