Documenting: My SDA-1c upgrades from start to finish

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  • plastic_avatar
    plastic_avatar Posts: 747
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    Figured I'd date and sign the terminal plates.

    Basic.

    No frills.

    Pink.

    Silly.

    fpqzl75ksrpz.jpeg
    q9t77mlfh8wh.jpeg
    The Thrifty Setups in Mah House Big thrifty stereo in the basement w/ my custom SDA-1C (built with help from kind forum members) * Beautiful 1966 MCM GE console upgraded w/ Bluetooth, Dual turntable, and Paradigm speakers in family room * Swanky 1980 Realistic system and great TEAC eq with dancing colored lights in the living room * custom 5B on a system for my Dad * Ye Olde college stereo in the garage
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  • invalid
    invalid Posts: 1,559
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    Looking good, now for the binding post upgrade
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  • plastic_avatar
    plastic_avatar Posts: 747
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    invalid wrote: »
    ...now for the binding post upgrade

    I know, right?

    I thought I had upgraded posts in the pile o' parts, but I didn't =(

    Will order soon.

    Vampires are seemingly the posts of choice here, but do you have a recommendation?

    The Thrifty Setups in Mah House Big thrifty stereo in the basement w/ my custom SDA-1C (built with help from kind forum members) * Beautiful 1966 MCM GE console upgraded w/ Bluetooth, Dual turntable, and Paradigm speakers in family room * Swanky 1980 Realistic system and great TEAC eq with dancing colored lights in the living room * custom 5B on a system for my Dad * Ye Olde college stereo in the garage
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  • Unknown
    Unknown
    edited October 2022
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    This content has been removed.
  • skipshot12
    skipshot12 Posts: 2,155
    edited October 2022
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    I’ll second pit’s Cardas’ recommend. On the spendy side but excellent.
    I have experience with the CCBP posts.
    Upgraded the speaker posts in my Legacy-Audio monobloc amps. They work great.

    Since I had a little accident in shorting out my binding posts, beer induced, I now go with insulated pieces.
    WBT are also very nice. Also spendy.

    Only two I’ve used.
    So I cannot recommend others…
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  • Gardenstater
    Gardenstater Posts: 4,932
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    @plastic_avatar 8 phase plug shims are off and away towards you, now in the clutches of the US postal service :)
    George / NJ

    Polk 7B main speakers, std. mods+ (1979, orig owner)
    Martin Logan Dynamo sub w/6ft 14awg Power Cord
    Onkyo A-8017 integrated
    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
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  • invalid
    invalid Posts: 1,559
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    I used these from meniscus audio for about $13 a pair.
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  • invalid
    invalid Posts: 1,559
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    https://meniscusaudio.com/?s=Binding+post+&post_type=product
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  • plastic_avatar
    plastic_avatar Posts: 747
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    Ooof. I'm almost ready to take the posts off my homebrews (nothing special, but better than stock)... might go with @invalid's choice to begin, and when I finish upgrading my 5B, I can swap these to those and buy a fancier pair (and print a better quality terminal plate... first go, not bad).

    I'm really thinking I wish I had different boards. The stock soldering is awful. And they'll be crowded when I get to soldering =( I was thinking about diy'ing it, but @VR3's stuff is so incredible, it seems like an insult to try [laughs]. But if I want to get the new coils... the stock board is an even bigger p-i-t-a for me...

    And the oldest has Rona again (we all had it in January). So I'll have time here to design... maybe.
    The Thrifty Setups in Mah House Big thrifty stereo in the basement w/ my custom SDA-1C (built with help from kind forum members) * Beautiful 1966 MCM GE console upgraded w/ Bluetooth, Dual turntable, and Paradigm speakers in family room * Swanky 1980 Realistic system and great TEAC eq with dancing colored lights in the living room * custom 5B on a system for my Dad * Ye Olde college stereo in the garage
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,407
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    Positive terminal on all but one vintage Polk speaker model goes on the left.
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  • plastic_avatar
    plastic_avatar Posts: 747
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    terminal swap = just had them in to check my print (paid no attention to the color, all is good)

    Found the Vitamin A. Went ahead and doped.

    The 2 bottom domes were thirsty. Lucky I guess, that the tops and bottoms were different in how tight the weave/fabric is. That way, they're matched in weight of oil. whether that really matters to the ear, though...

    dth4p0pxl41a.jpeg
    29gntyo87l5i.jpeg
    d29hxkgkug95.jpeg

    Sure makes them shiny.

    The Thrifty Setups in Mah House Big thrifty stereo in the basement w/ my custom SDA-1C (built with help from kind forum members) * Beautiful 1966 MCM GE console upgraded w/ Bluetooth, Dual turntable, and Paradigm speakers in family room * Swanky 1980 Realistic system and great TEAC eq with dancing colored lights in the living room * custom 5B on a system for my Dad * Ye Olde college stereo in the garage
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  • plastic_avatar
    plastic_avatar Posts: 747
    edited October 2022
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    Less shiny today.

    Had to sop up some oil from around the base of the domes.

    Permeating the weave nicely.

    Stock, the fabric had a crinkly quality. Not like the 2000 dome, but on the same quality of deformation feel/sound shelf- when handling and poking around. Not nearly as sharp, but nit supple like the newer domes. I hope the doping smooths out that characteristic, without killing the sparkle.

    I'll put a doped Wuhan in the 5B to compare.

    Doped Wuhan:
    h08g8212eyrs.jpeg
    mf3xlru0qmld.jpeg

    198 (omg, sooooo dusty):
    v1mv42rfgc2p.jpeg
    lhsfrvljq5k9.jpeg

    The 198 looks like the outer ring of fabric was doped.

    I didn't do that on the Wuhans... should I? I didn't because I worried about loosening the glue holding the dome to its plate...
    The Thrifty Setups in Mah House Big thrifty stereo in the basement w/ my custom SDA-1C (built with help from kind forum members) * Beautiful 1966 MCM GE console upgraded w/ Bluetooth, Dual turntable, and Paradigm speakers in family room * Swanky 1980 Realistic system and great TEAC eq with dancing colored lights in the living room * custom 5B on a system for my Dad * Ye Olde college stereo in the garage
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  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 5,820
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    I don't think the outer rings matter much, but may help in faster break-in?

    The important thing is to not have any excess oil in the circular pleats.

    Looks good
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
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  • Unknown
    Unknown
    edited October 2022
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    This content has been removed.
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,407
    edited October 2022
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    It appears there are 3 different oils used in the liquid form of vitamin A depending on the manufacturer. Either cod oil, olive oil or coconut oil.

    Cod, olive and coconut oil will turn rancid and olive oil will become a gummy mess. I'm not sure if the other two will.

    NONE of those oils has any business on a fabric tweeter dome.

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  • Gardenstater
    Gardenstater Posts: 4,932
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    That one he used has soybean oil, gelatin, glycerin, purified water, and 3,000 mcg Retinyl Palmitate per capsule. Vitamin A is an antioxidant which would tend to keep the soybean oil from oxidizing (becoming rancid).

    I have no idea what manufacturers use for doping their tweeter domes and I suspect it is a highly guarded proprietary secret in each case.

    Here's a thread where it is discussed:

    https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/soft-dome-tweeter-coatings.79999/

    Two interesting mentions were (up to page 2):

    Oppanol (polyisobutylene) and Silicone (1 part Permatex 81730 Windshield and Glass Sealant thinned with 3 parts hexane)
    George / NJ

    Polk 7B main speakers, std. mods+ (1979, orig owner)
    Martin Logan Dynamo sub w/6ft 14awg Power Cord
    Onkyo A-8017 integrated
    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
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,407
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    Vitamin A, however, is sensitive to oxidation caused by light and metal in the presence of oxygen
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  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 5,820
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    The oil suspension won't allow oxygen contact with the retinoic acid, the reason for its encapsulation in oil.

    The doped wuhans will sound very similar to 194's.
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
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  • Gardenstater
    Gardenstater Posts: 4,932
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    Another thread: https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/re-doping-a-silk-dome-tweeter.588100/
    George / NJ

    Polk 7B main speakers, std. mods+ (1979, orig owner)
    Martin Logan Dynamo sub w/6ft 14awg Power Cord
    Onkyo A-8017 integrated
    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
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  • invalid
    invalid Posts: 1,559
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    Doesn't this procedure add mass to the tweeter?
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  • plastic_avatar
    plastic_avatar Posts: 747
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    It's an affordable experiment.

    If these go South, I'll have money to replace them with either more Wuhan domes, or upgrade to a different dome, or get the 194.

    As it is right now, everything is fine =)

    I'll try them out in the 5B soon.

    I never thought I'd be messing with as much as I have. It's fun =)

    Went ahead and doped my one working 5B. It's all in the name of science!
    2xchw5bcows5.jpeg
    The Thrifty Setups in Mah House Big thrifty stereo in the basement w/ my custom SDA-1C (built with help from kind forum members) * Beautiful 1966 MCM GE console upgraded w/ Bluetooth, Dual turntable, and Paradigm speakers in family room * Swanky 1980 Realistic system and great TEAC eq with dancing colored lights in the living room * custom 5B on a system for my Dad * Ye Olde college stereo in the garage
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  • Gardenstater
    Gardenstater Posts: 4,932
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    Do you think you could blot the excess off with something non lint forming like maybe lens tissue that is used to clean camera and binocular lenses? Seems like a lot there :#
    George / NJ

    Polk 7B main speakers, std. mods+ (1979, orig owner)
    Martin Logan Dynamo sub w/6ft 14awg Power Cord
    Onkyo A-8017 integrated
    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
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  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 5,820
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    Just use a dry Q-tip to soak up the excess.
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
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  • Gardenstater
    Gardenstater Posts: 4,932
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    OK but not my DollarTwentyFiveTree Qtips. Very shedding of fibres prone they are :)
    George / NJ

    Polk 7B main speakers, std. mods+ (1979, orig owner)
    Martin Logan Dynamo sub w/6ft 14awg Power Cord
    Onkyo A-8017 integrated
    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 Facebook
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,407
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    This thread has taken what not to do to an entirely new level.
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  • plastic_avatar
    plastic_avatar Posts: 747
    edited October 2022
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    They're thirsty. It soaks up soon after sheen.It's all good.

    It ends up like looking almost exactly like the doping layer on the 198.

    But yes, I go back over to soak up any excess after it soaks in.

    We shall see how it goes!
    The Thrifty Setups in Mah House Big thrifty stereo in the basement w/ my custom SDA-1C (built with help from kind forum members) * Beautiful 1966 MCM GE console upgraded w/ Bluetooth, Dual turntable, and Paradigm speakers in family room * Swanky 1980 Realistic system and great TEAC eq with dancing colored lights in the living room * custom 5B on a system for my Dad * Ye Olde college stereo in the garage
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  • plastic_avatar
    plastic_avatar Posts: 747
    edited October 2022
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    Not 100% soaked in yet, I think, but couldn't wait.

    Much better than the 2000. Much smoother than the stock Wuhan dome.

    Here's an example. Kid's voices sound appropriately shrill and guitar has nice tone. Gotta start recording these with my good mic.

    https://youtu.be/lTqD1-teqME
    The Thrifty Setups in Mah House Big thrifty stereo in the basement w/ my custom SDA-1C (built with help from kind forum members) * Beautiful 1966 MCM GE console upgraded w/ Bluetooth, Dual turntable, and Paradigm speakers in family room * Swanky 1980 Realistic system and great TEAC eq with dancing colored lights in the living room * custom 5B on a system for my Dad * Ye Olde college stereo in the garage
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  • plastic_avatar
    plastic_avatar Posts: 747
    edited October 2022
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    @invalid

    Yeah, a lot of mass, if you let them drink up a ton like mine did.

    I was worried it would ruin the sound... stifle those high pitched high notes, ruin its transient abilities, etc.

    Not to my ears, and no more than any other doped tweeter (194, 198, etc.).

    Unscientific, but that's what I have- just ears.
    The Thrifty Setups in Mah House Big thrifty stereo in the basement w/ my custom SDA-1C (built with help from kind forum members) * Beautiful 1966 MCM GE console upgraded w/ Bluetooth, Dual turntable, and Paradigm speakers in family room * Swanky 1980 Realistic system and great TEAC eq with dancing colored lights in the living room * custom 5B on a system for my Dad * Ye Olde college stereo in the garage
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  • Gardenstater
    Gardenstater Posts: 4,932
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    Bass sounds pretty slamming on the 5B video. Was that just the 5B playing, or both that and the Monitor 12?
    George / NJ

    Polk 7B main speakers, std. mods+ (1979, orig owner)
    Martin Logan Dynamo sub w/6ft 14awg Power Cord
    Onkyo A-8017 integrated
    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
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  • plastic_avatar
    plastic_avatar Posts: 747
    edited October 2022
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    The right-side 12 is about 7 feet away to the right.

    I was surprised at the sound coming out of the 5B. So much so, I moved to unplug the right channel, stopped in front of the 12 to take in its presence, then moved back in front of the 5B to listen again while I was recording. Hence the chopped off vid.

    170 solid watts into 2 channels at 8 ohms really makes that little speaker come alive when you crank it. I really want another p2250 amp so I can get the full 500 it's capable of.

    I was about 4 feet in front of the 5B, mic at mw height, hands cupped towards speaker.

    I stopped recording, moved back to center and played it again. The 12, with its new crossover bits and 198, definitely had a sparkle my Wuhan w/ an original crossover lacked- a little crackle and pop that was extra and pleasing.

    Odd thing was, if I stood in front of the 12, I could very distinctly hear the tweeter in the 5B. If I stood in front if the 5B, I could hear a presence of sound on the right side of the room that made the little guy sound smaller.

    I'll do a 5B x2 example before Christmas, I hope.

    I'm excited to hear the tweeters in the 1C.
    The Thrifty Setups in Mah House Big thrifty stereo in the basement w/ my custom SDA-1C (built with help from kind forum members) * Beautiful 1966 MCM GE console upgraded w/ Bluetooth, Dual turntable, and Paradigm speakers in family room * Swanky 1980 Realistic system and great TEAC eq with dancing colored lights in the living room * custom 5B on a system for my Dad * Ye Olde college stereo in the garage
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