Polk Audio SDA SRS - Clarity : Duelund : Jantzen : DH Labs
VR3
Posts: 24,274
This is my 2nd SRS build using these components, I modified the chassis particularly for this build. This is the first time I also built a DH Labs Q-10 SDA cable 
Clarity Cap MR through out except in the larger values where ESA was used
Duelund resistors
Jantzen inductors + C-Coil
Supra Internal Wiring, WBT binding post
DH Labs SDA cable
(Polk logo was used at the request of the owner and is not offered under normal circumstances, will be blurred out on my website when posted)
Clarity Cap MR through out except in the larger values where ESA was used
Duelund resistors
Jantzen inductors + C-Coil
Supra Internal Wiring, WBT binding post
DH Labs SDA cable
(Polk logo was used at the request of the owner and is not offered under normal circumstances, will be blurred out on my website when posted)
- Not Tom
"No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
"No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
Comments
Compared to standard SDA SRS
"No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
I don't go into pricing on the forum but feel free to shoot me a PM or check out my website
"No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
"No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
I also do deposits/payment plans
"No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
I always describe all modifications as "removing a blanket" from the speakers. The standard fall into that description, everything kind of opens up, detail is brought out, bass is extended, sound stage is wider, etc etc etc...
The best way I can describe the Abbott from the Standard build is that the speakers start to disappear and what you are left with is a 3-D presentation of what is in the recording. You start to hear the shape, resonance, texture of a guitar, who is holding it, where they are in the room, depth to their scale compared to other instruments/musicians in the mix.
From a "detail and transparency" standard, I would say a standard build is 85-90% of that. From the stand point of transporting you to the mix versus listening to a set of speakers, the Clarity Cap MR has no competition. It is one of the best experiences I have ever heard, especially after break in.
Phil @Moose68Bash actually wrote up a review going from one of my standard builds to an Abbott build. He really captured the difference with his words.
http://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/167764/review-vr3-mods-s-monastery-level-the-abbot-srs1-2-to-srs12tl-conversion#latest
The SRS differs from the 1.2 and 1.2TL all the way down to the enclosure, I wouldn't particularly recommend trying to shoe horn a 1.2TL into a SDA SRS shell personally due to the driver, enclosure, etc differences.
I do have a set of 1.2TL here that I am offering 20% off an Abbott build, plus the modifications themselves are less than the SRS Abbott build....
So as an example, you can take the 1.2TL, modifications installed for only around a $1,000 more than the SRS modification... just an example.
On the flip side, I cant determine if with hearing loss one is worth more than the other...
I hope that helps...
"No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
I don't really like "over-selling" things - Phil @Moose68Bash actually did a standard build like the Monastery standard to the Abbott on a pair of 1.2TL... his write up is here -
http://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/167764/review-vr3-mods-s-monastery-level-the-abbot-srs1-2-to-srs12tl-conversion#latest
For me personally, I feel detail and transparency wise, the standard build is 85-90% of the Abbott... on the flip side I feel from the stand point of making the speakers disappear, texture, 3-d reproduction, the Abbott components take it to a whole new level. It is one of the only experiences where I would call it "being there" - you can sense the size, shape of a guitar, who is holding it and where, the texture of everything. It is hard to describe. I did a similar modification to my own personal speakers back in 2011 and that is why I am still doing it here today.
I cant decide though if the differences are worth it for you unfortunately, I take a lot of pride in my work and I think you would enjoy it. I do appreciate your service and sacrifice.
On the flip side, I do have a set of 1.2TL, that when purchased with modifications, the modifications are 20% off. You could literally have a set of Abbott modified 1.2TL (installed) for a little over a $1,000 more than the SRS Abbot build by itself...
I hope this helps (hopefully this response posts)
"No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
The SDA SRS is different down to the enclosure, I wouldn't personally recommend updating the SRS to the 1.2TL
"No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
"No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
"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
Rings are back from the powde coaters so all systems are go
"No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
SRS 2.3TL (Fully Modded)...Velodyne Optimum 8 subwoofer
1KVA Dreadnought
Marantz SA 8005
Pioneer PLX-1000 Turntable - Shure SC35C/N35X - V15III/VN35HE
Yamaha TX-540 Tuner...Sony BDP-S570
Sony PS4
Separate subpanel with four dedicated 20 amp circuits.
1. Amplification 2. Analog 3. Digital 4. Video
"All THAT IS LOST FROM THE SOURCE IS LOST FOREVER"
Not trying to be a buzz kill,but since they're going inside the cabinets and can't be seen from the outside. Why powder coat them?
"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
"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
SRS 2.3TL (Fully Modded)...Velodyne Optimum 8 subwoofer
1KVA Dreadnought
Marantz SA 8005
Pioneer PLX-1000 Turntable - Shure SC35C/N35X - V15III/VN35HE
Yamaha TX-540 Tuner...Sony BDP-S570
Sony PS4
Separate subpanel with four dedicated 20 amp circuits.
1. Amplification 2. Analog 3. Digital 4. Video
"All THAT IS LOST FROM THE SOURCE IS LOST FOREVER"
Exercise Room, Wadia 171 iPod Dock, PS Audio PerfectWave Transport, Innuos Streamer with Cat 6 cable connection to PS Audio PerfectWave MkII DAC w/Bridge II, AQ Sky XLRs, Perreaux PMF3150 Amp, Dreadnought, Supra Rondo 4x2.5 Speaker Cables, SDA 1Cs (Vr3 Mods Xovers).
Synology 713+ NAS on Gigabit LAN serving PW MkII DAC & DirectStream DAC.
"No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
"No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
"No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
"No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
I had a customer a few years had me do a build with a window and a blue led light, that was a lot of fun...
"No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
"No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
"No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro