Help identifying - RTA 12 /12B / 12C?

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kistler_paul
kistler_paul Posts: 30
in Vintage Speakers
The seller has these listed at RTA 12 and they just have "RTA12“ on the crossovers. However they have a sideways tweeter like the 12b/c.
They also have a fuse rather than a polyswitch so would these be the 12B. Any I put would be greatly appreciated! These are for sale for 120$ locally and I'm highly tempted to pick them up (secretly hoping they turn out to be 12c B)o3i4acsrkpgq.png
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)
Current Setup
Speakers - Monitor 5JR+ Series 2 w/ RDO198's
- RTA 12b w/ Peerless Tweets
- AV Setup with Montior 7's & 4a's
Integrated Amplifier - NAD 3130
TurnTable - Panasonic RD-2900 w/ AT-VM95E
Streaming - Roon > Chromecast Audio > Topping D30 DAC
Cassette Deck - NAD 6240 > ADC Sound Shaper 10 Band EQ
CD Playback - Sony BluRay > Topping D30 DAC
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  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,067
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    FWIW this is a B. I'm sure there are multiple crossover variations for the same model like a lot of old Polk's though.

    kcmtn9m8aafy.jpg
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
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  • aprazer402
    aprazer402 Posts: 3,096
    edited May 2020
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    Review of RTA-12B
    http://www.hifi-classic.net/review/polk-audio-rta-12b-339.html

    RTA-12(A) with Vertical Peerless tweeter
    1u2i22gadq63.jpg
    Crossover of RTA-12(A) with Vertical Peerless tweeter
    25ez1tmsccqm.jpg
    RTA-12B with Horizontal Peerless tweeter
    8mjdgepyzy4d.jpg
    RTA-12C with SL-1000 tweeter
    l1cq1e7gcbr6.jpg
    RTA-12C with SL-2000 tweeter
    5bfr7zuprfkl.jpg

    Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks.
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  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,067
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    What are the little brown things wired in above the white caps in OPs picture and why don't mine have them?
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
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  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,067
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    To OP if they're in good shape, no frozen drivers, no torn surrounds, etc etc for $120 it doesn't matter if they're B or C's just get them. They'll sound good with the Peerless tweeters regardless of the variation and that's a good price.
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 49,794
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    Nightfall wrote: »
    What are the little brown things wired in above the white caps in OPs picture and why don't mine have them?

    Silver mica bypass caps and if your pic is your speaker, you have them too. Horrible things they are.
    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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  • Faustin
    Faustin Posts: 1,149
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    I agree, if the drivers are not frozen, buy them for $120
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  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,015
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    I third the motion to "BUY". ;)

    B)
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
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  • CH46E
    CH46E Posts: 3,546
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    No brainer! Go get'em! The certainly look like 12b to me.
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  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,067
    edited May 2020
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    You're right Jesse. Mine are just wired into the PCB instead of with long wire hovering above the caps. Dusty!

    tlufswv3inxc.jpg
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
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  • Gardenstater
    Gardenstater Posts: 4,182
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    A high end audio store in New Brunswick sold me 4 of those silver mica caps to modify my 7Bs shortly after I purchased them (from a store in Millburn), saying that the detail in instruments would be better. I never really noticed the difference to be honest, positive or negative. I didn't install them on the Sonicaps when I upgraded the crossover.
    George / NJ

    Polk 7B main speakers, std. mods+ (1979, orig owner)
    Martin Logan Dynamo sub w/6ft 14awg Power Cord
    Crown D150 amp
    Logitech Squeezebox Touch Streamer w/EDO applet
    iFi nano iDSD DAC
    iPurifier3
    iDefender w/ iPower PS
    Custom Steve Wilson 1m UPOCC Interconnect
    iFi Mercury 0.5m OFHC continuous cast copper USB cable
    Custom Ribbon Speaker Cables, 5ft long, 4N Copper, 14awg, ultra low inductance
    Custom Vibration Isolation Speaker Stands and Sub Platform
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kistler_paul
    kistler_paul Posts: 30
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    Got em.... He let me get them for 90$ because he kinda of gave me the run around figuring out a time to meet him... B)B)>:)o:)
    Current Setup
    Speakers - Monitor 5JR+ Series 2 w/ RDO198's
    - RTA 12b w/ Peerless Tweets
    - AV Setup with Montior 7's & 4a's
    Integrated Amplifier - NAD 3130
    TurnTable - Panasonic RD-2900 w/ AT-VM95E
    Streaming - Roon > Chromecast Audio > Topping D30 DAC
    Cassette Deck - NAD 6240 > ADC Sound Shaper 10 Band EQ
    CD Playback - Sony BluRay > Topping D30 DAC
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  • kistler_paul
    kistler_paul Posts: 30
    edited May 2020
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    3ppkk9wz29pt.jpg
    8ie9ns102wf0.jpg
    hrc3z5fb3b2q.jpg
    eqqui4h4oiyc.jpg
    2px1aw0beml7.jpg
    Post edited by kistler_paul on
    Current Setup
    Speakers - Monitor 5JR+ Series 2 w/ RDO198's
    - RTA 12b w/ Peerless Tweets
    - AV Setup with Montior 7's & 4a's
    Integrated Amplifier - NAD 3130
    TurnTable - Panasonic RD-2900 w/ AT-VM95E
    Streaming - Roon > Chromecast Audio > Topping D30 DAC
    Cassette Deck - NAD 6240 > ADC Sound Shaper 10 Band EQ
    CD Playback - Sony BluRay > Topping D30 DAC
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  • kistler_paul
    kistler_paul Posts: 30
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    Okay so, I can see already I'm gonna need a new power amp.... I'm currently using a NAD 3130 which is about 35wpc although it is a pretty high current amp so it's drives them okay at around 12 o'clock on the volume knob but low levels I almost prefer my 5jr+.....

    All that being said, what would you guys recommend as a power amp for a good pairing with a NAD 3130 as my preamp. How many wpc? Around 100?


    Thanks! I always value yalls opinion on this forum!
    Current Setup
    Speakers - Monitor 5JR+ Series 2 w/ RDO198's
    - RTA 12b w/ Peerless Tweets
    - AV Setup with Montior 7's & 4a's
    Integrated Amplifier - NAD 3130
    TurnTable - Panasonic RD-2900 w/ AT-VM95E
    Streaming - Roon > Chromecast Audio > Topping D30 DAC
    Cassette Deck - NAD 6240 > ADC Sound Shaper 10 Band EQ
    CD Playback - Sony BluRay > Topping D30 DAC
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  • CH46E
    CH46E Posts: 3,546
    edited May 2020
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    100 watts will run them pretty well. Mine sounded great with my NAD906 bridged and running 90watts per. I also had great sound with a Parasound HCA750a at 75 watts per. They are not a terrible hard speaker to power.

    If you can, go for 150 to 250 watts.

    Make sure you have them in the right spot. One is left and the other right. The one you pictures should be your right speaker. The other speakers should be L12B xxxxx.

    Check and clean your fuse and fuse holder. If it has corrosion it will mess with the tweeter.

    Also check to see if they are sealed or leaking a lot of air. You can push and hold the passive radiator in and see how long it takes for the woofers to return to normal resting position. Should be longer than 3 seconds or so.

    I have been looking at the Emotiva A-300 amp to power mine. I'm using my larger Hafler amp to run some much more power hungry speakers than my 12B. So a second amp would be nice.

    I think the Emotiva is 150 @8 ohms and 300 @ 4 ohms. And at $399.00 it might be hard to beat.


    Great score man.
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  • kistler_paul
    kistler_paul Posts: 30
    edited May 2020
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    Turns out the inner woofer on the left speaker isn't working... And I didn't catch it at first.. So I'll need to replace that and they could probably go for a crossover rebuild soon as well...

    Anyone got an extra MW6503 laying around they'd wanna get rid of?
    Post edited by kistler_paul on
    Current Setup
    Speakers - Monitor 5JR+ Series 2 w/ RDO198's
    - RTA 12b w/ Peerless Tweets
    - AV Setup with Montior 7's & 4a's
    Integrated Amplifier - NAD 3130
    TurnTable - Panasonic RD-2900 w/ AT-VM95E
    Streaming - Roon > Chromecast Audio > Topping D30 DAC
    Cassette Deck - NAD 6240 > ADC Sound Shaper 10 Band EQ
    CD Playback - Sony BluRay > Topping D30 DAC
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Gardenstater
    Gardenstater Posts: 4,182
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    I see one on eBay, vintage 1990. Shipping can probably be talked down because it is excessive: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Polk-MW6503-Woofer-6-5-SDA-Monitor-good-condition/153942229711?epid=1133827614&hash=item23d7ac02cf:g:kK0AAOSwf3pergsp
    George / NJ

    Polk 7B main speakers, std. mods+ (1979, orig owner)
    Martin Logan Dynamo sub w/6ft 14awg Power Cord
    Crown D150 amp
    Logitech Squeezebox Touch Streamer w/EDO applet
    iFi nano iDSD DAC
    iPurifier3
    iDefender w/ iPower PS
    Custom Steve Wilson 1m UPOCC Interconnect
    iFi Mercury 0.5m OFHC continuous cast copper USB cable
    Custom Ribbon Speaker Cables, 5ft long, 4N Copper, 14awg, ultra low inductance
    Custom Vibration Isolation Speaker Stands and Sub Platform
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 24,556
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    kistler_paul wrote: »
    Turns out the inner woofer on the left speaker isn't working... And I didn't catch it at first.. So I'll need to replace that and they could probably go for a crossover rebuild soon as well...

    Anyone got an extra MW6503 laying around they'd wanna get rid of?

    I do not think that is the correct driver. Everything I've ever seen was mw6600 or mw6501 for those speakers.
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  • kistler_paul
    kistler_paul Posts: 30
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    The speakers in mine are MW6503.. Turns out one is replaced circa 2000 (in the same speaker actually). And the one that is frozen is circa 1987 and also has a m10 label on it. I will post a picture soon when I get back home. I haven't checked to right speaker because it's working perfectly and it's sealed really nice so I'm just going to leave it be... I am curious to see if they are MW6503 as well but I'd assume so.. Maybe I'll pop her open and check...
    Current Setup
    Speakers - Monitor 5JR+ Series 2 w/ RDO198's
    - RTA 12b w/ Peerless Tweets
    - AV Setup with Montior 7's & 4a's
    Integrated Amplifier - NAD 3130
    TurnTable - Panasonic RD-2900 w/ AT-VM95E
    Streaming - Roon > Chromecast Audio > Topping D30 DAC
    Cassette Deck - NAD 6240 > ADC Sound Shaper 10 Band EQ
    CD Playback - Sony BluRay > Topping D30 DAC
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kistler_paul
    kistler_paul Posts: 30
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    Here is a photo of the sticker off the one that is messed up. I don't have a photo handy of the one that's been replaced in that speaker. kce0dtit3v4x.jpg
    Current Setup
    Speakers - Monitor 5JR+ Series 2 w/ RDO198's
    - RTA 12b w/ Peerless Tweets
    - AV Setup with Montior 7's & 4a's
    Integrated Amplifier - NAD 3130
    TurnTable - Panasonic RD-2900 w/ AT-VM95E
    Streaming - Roon > Chromecast Audio > Topping D30 DAC
    Cassette Deck - NAD 6240 > ADC Sound Shaper 10 Band EQ
    CD Playback - Sony BluRay > Topping D30 DAC
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kistler_paul
    kistler_paul Posts: 30
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    I wonder if this has to do with the fact that mine have the Peerless tweeters in them?
    Current Setup
    Speakers - Monitor 5JR+ Series 2 w/ RDO198's
    - RTA 12b w/ Peerless Tweets
    - AV Setup with Montior 7's & 4a's
    Integrated Amplifier - NAD 3130
    TurnTable - Panasonic RD-2900 w/ AT-VM95E
    Streaming - Roon > Chromecast Audio > Topping D30 DAC
    Cassette Deck - NAD 6240 > ADC Sound Shaper 10 Band EQ
    CD Playback - Sony BluRay > Topping D30 DAC
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 24,556
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    OK I need to ask, are we talking about monitor 10's or RTA 12's ??

    Those mw6503 are correct for monitor 10 but not for RTA 12's.
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  • kistler_paul
    kistler_paul Posts: 30
    edited May 2020
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    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    OK I need to ask, are we talking about monitor 10's or RTA 12's ??

    Those mw6503 are correct for monitor 10 but not for RTA 12's.

    These came out of my RTA12Bs they are just labeled with this. They are out of the same speakers I've been referring to throughout the thread
    Current Setup
    Speakers - Monitor 5JR+ Series 2 w/ RDO198's
    - RTA 12b w/ Peerless Tweets
    - AV Setup with Montior 7's & 4a's
    Integrated Amplifier - NAD 3130
    TurnTable - Panasonic RD-2900 w/ AT-VM95E
    Streaming - Roon > Chromecast Audio > Topping D30 DAC
    Cassette Deck - NAD 6240 > ADC Sound Shaper 10 Band EQ
    CD Playback - Sony BluRay > Topping D30 DAC
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 24,556
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    Every schematic from Polk here on the site lists one of two drivers. The MW6600 was first use then they went to the MW6501. I'm not real sure they used the MW6503. I'd check all the drivers and try to make them all the same. either 6600 or 6501. I've always thought these two drivers were very very close in parameters as speakers that used them in most cases no crossover changes were made. My SDA1 signatures came with MW6600 and MW6501. SDA1 came with all MW6600 and SDA1a came with all MW6501 drivers. The crossovers are the same with the exception of fuses were switched out for polyswitches for the SDA1a. My SDA1 signature was a transitional speaker between the SDA1 and SDA1a

    RTA 12B schematic
    https://us.v-cdn.net/5021930/uploads/attachments/4/6/7/2/8/18713.pdf


    MW 6503 1.82 5.24 N 3.55 E - 3N/M 6.54 Ohms 29 Hertz

    MW 6501 1.47 5.96 N 3.25 E - 3N/M 7.75 Ohms 31 Hertz

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  • CH46E
    CH46E Posts: 3,546
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    kistler_paul wrote: »
    I wonder if this has to do with the fact that mine have the Peerless tweeters in them?

    The Peerless tweeter is the correct tweeter for the 12B.
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  • kistler_paul
    kistler_paul Posts: 30
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    Okay so.. Here are the two midwoofers on the right channel.. 64dq7pm6ko4c.jpg
    pu6bp5qlfxvz.jpg
    Current Setup
    Speakers - Monitor 5JR+ Series 2 w/ RDO198's
    - RTA 12b w/ Peerless Tweets
    - AV Setup with Montior 7's & 4a's
    Integrated Amplifier - NAD 3130
    TurnTable - Panasonic RD-2900 w/ AT-VM95E
    Streaming - Roon > Chromecast Audio > Topping D30 DAC
    Cassette Deck - NAD 6240 > ADC Sound Shaper 10 Band EQ
    CD Playback - Sony BluRay > Topping D30 DAC
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kistler_paul
    kistler_paul Posts: 30
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    And here is the midwoofer that's been replaced on the left channel... 5ujdnd3npvwi.jpg
    Current Setup
    Speakers - Monitor 5JR+ Series 2 w/ RDO198's
    - RTA 12b w/ Peerless Tweets
    - AV Setup with Montior 7's & 4a's
    Integrated Amplifier - NAD 3130
    TurnTable - Panasonic RD-2900 w/ AT-VM95E
    Streaming - Roon > Chromecast Audio > Topping D30 DAC
    Cassette Deck - NAD 6240 > ADC Sound Shaper 10 Band EQ
    CD Playback - Sony BluRay > Topping D30 DAC
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kistler_paul
    kistler_paul Posts: 30
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    The right channel both has MW6600x and is dated 81.... So possibly these speakers had the left channel replaced with the incorrect midwoofers (mw6503 in 1987...and then again in 2000?)
    Current Setup
    Speakers - Monitor 5JR+ Series 2 w/ RDO198's
    - RTA 12b w/ Peerless Tweets
    - AV Setup with Montior 7's & 4a's
    Integrated Amplifier - NAD 3130
    TurnTable - Panasonic RD-2900 w/ AT-VM95E
    Streaming - Roon > Chromecast Audio > Topping D30 DAC
    Cassette Deck - NAD 6240 > ADC Sound Shaper 10 Band EQ
    CD Playback - Sony BluRay > Topping D30 DAC
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kistler_paul
    kistler_paul Posts: 30
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    I actually bought the MW6503 from ebay... Should I try to see if I cancel the order and find MW6600x drivers?
    Current Setup
    Speakers - Monitor 5JR+ Series 2 w/ RDO198's
    - RTA 12b w/ Peerless Tweets
    - AV Setup with Montior 7's & 4a's
    Integrated Amplifier - NAD 3130
    TurnTable - Panasonic RD-2900 w/ AT-VM95E
    Streaming - Roon > Chromecast Audio > Topping D30 DAC
    Cassette Deck - NAD 6240 > ADC Sound Shaper 10 Band EQ
    CD Playback - Sony BluRay > Topping D30 DAC
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Gardenstater
    Gardenstater Posts: 4,182
    edited May 2020
    Options
    I vote for cancelling the order and trying to find MW6600s. Another option could be to go all MW6501s if you can get a really sweet deal. All this is unless someone else can say they have seen Polk put the 6503s in with your crossover, but I wouldn't bet against pitdogg2.
    Post edited by Gardenstater on
    George / NJ

    Polk 7B main speakers, std. mods+ (1979, orig owner)
    Martin Logan Dynamo sub w/6ft 14awg Power Cord
    Crown D150 amp
    Logitech Squeezebox Touch Streamer w/EDO applet
    iFi nano iDSD DAC
    iPurifier3
    iDefender w/ iPower PS
    Custom Steve Wilson 1m UPOCC Interconnect
    iFi Mercury 0.5m OFHC continuous cast copper USB cable
    Custom Ribbon Speaker Cables, 5ft long, 4N Copper, 14awg, ultra low inductance
    Custom Vibration Isolation Speaker Stands and Sub Platform
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 24,556
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    kistler_paul wrote: »
    The right channel both has MW6600x and is dated 81.... So possibly these speakers had the left channel replaced with the incorrect midwoofers (mw6503 in 1987...and then again in 2000?)

    Polk still had mw6600/mw6501 in 1987 so there would have been no reason to sell someone the mw6503's

    In 2000 they had made a run of very popular drivers and the mw6501 was one of them. The only difference between original and new was the dust cap now covered the voice coil leads on the drivers on the new production drivers.

    The mw6600 does come up often on ebay. The mw6501 well that one is really rare on ebay. Very rarely do I see them.

    How many you after?
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