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

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  • ken brydson
    ken brydson Posts: 9,101
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    xschop wrote: »
    Just use a dry Q-tip to soak up the excess.

    That's what she said...🤣
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  • plastic_avatar
    plastic_avatar Posts: 747
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    Oof.

    and

    Ewwww.
    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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    It only takes one maybe two light coats. Should not add any more mass than what an RD0 has added.
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
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  • plastic_avatar
    plastic_avatar Posts: 747
    edited October 2022
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    @Gardenstater

    Here's it alone.

    I included more of the song, so the sound of the kid's voices would show more..

    - It would be fuller if I had another 5B plugged in on the right, instead of it pushing 1 channel solo.

    - The guitar solo sounds like I expect.

    - Sound is darker than the 12. 3 fewer mw, an original crossover, and no cabinet/basket mods = yeah. And it can't compete with the presence of a 12 and up on the ladder.

    - The pudding lyric is only on the right side. Kinda wigged me out not hearing it on this recording. Thought I was lising my mind.

    https://youtu.be/MlDP_dvPr_I

    But the key but here is:

    Pros of my Wuhan experience so far:

    - The tweeter works.
    - The doping smoothes out the sound, it's not as brittle.
    - The tweeter sounds better than a 2000.
    - The tweeter mod for 4 speakers is about 25-30% the cost of getting the 194.
    - Satisfaction that I did the basics, and way more than required, on my own.
    - Gratitude for the friends that jumped in to help and/or advise.
    - All the new things I learned.

    Negatives of my Wuhan experience, to date:

    - TIME!
    - Fear of trying it.
    - Equipment to replace or modify tweeter plates.
    - Not knowing, yet, how it will sound in the 1C.
    - Not knowing how it sounds compared to a 194.
    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
    edited October 2022
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    Not bad at all considering. It sounded like it wasn't in mono.

    So there is no:
    Dynamat/Noico/other on the exterior of baskets for MW and PR
    Armacell or other on the interior of basket for MW
    Semi - rings made of steel for top 2 and bottom 2 screws of MW
    BH5 square or other behind the MW
    Upgrade to XO components
    Upgrade to internal wiring and Binding Posts
    Anti Diffraction Wool for tweeter
    8 Hole Mod for better coupling of MW to baffle

    This little guy will make a perfect test bed to add each of those one at a time. Good times.
    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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  • skipshot12
    skipshot12 Posts: 2,155
    edited October 2022
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    Well, let's see if this works.
    Loaded a few videos to youtube to see if I can post...

    https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Et2U_D17ryI
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  • plastic_avatar
    plastic_avatar Posts: 747
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    @skipshot12

    Wow. Huge difference.

    And your fitting and painting work is awesome.

    Yours is all new Range Rover sleek, and mine is all prototype Jeep [laughs].
    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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  • skipshot12
    skipshot12 Posts: 2,155
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    Ok, let's see if we can add some of the damping videos...

    https://youtube.com/shorts/8DHfbtiyg7w?feature=share

    https://youtube.com/shorts/aCkwymRYR_0?feature=share

    https://youtube.com/shorts/q1v7wH4dLYc?feature=share

    https://youtube.com/shorts/jjNi59DoeQY?feature=share


    Still not doing something right. Have to go to youtube to watch.
    There's a way to get the videos here but, I'm not that good yet.
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  • skipshot12
    skipshot12 Posts: 2,155
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    plastic_avatar wrote: »
    @skipshot12

    Wow. Huge difference.

    And your fitting and painting work is awesome.

    Yours is all new Range Rover sleek, and mine is all prototype Jeep [laughs].


    Bahahaaaa....
    I'm anal to a fault!
    Even raking leaves yesterday I was going back to pick up two leaves I didn't get into the garbage bag. The wife says you don't need to pick up every last one! My answer, yes I do. Dang it... now I can sleep tonight.
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  • plastic_avatar
    plastic_avatar Posts: 747
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    @Gardenstater

    The tweeter does have my diffuser 'dome' with the ring of heavy wool and then the soft lamb's wool in the middle. That and the custom plate are non-standard.

    I didn't use the 'backer' gasket between the dome base and metal plate. I used glue for an air-tight seal.

    On the ones for the 1C, I used backers. I need to compare to the 5B one to decide if i'll rip 'em out or let them stay.

    And the mw has my printed version of xschop's phase plug.

    Everything is as you say.

    Definite plans for the 5B while I wait to order and receive 1C coils (Jeezus, by Christmas, I hope):

    - phase plugs
    - rings
    - dyna/foam the baskets
    - Hurricane nuts/bolts
    - foam gaskets
    - terminals
    - XO

    Will likely do, but maybe after I finished up the 1C:

    - BH5
    - internal front face brace
    - wiring
    - fix the finish on the cabinets in a few places
    - new grille cloth
    - spikes
    - external wool tweeter diffraction killer
    - stands

    These will look awesome with that Realistic stereo, if I ever have room, but... honestly... I think I'm a **** to big watts now. I can't believe the difference between the dedicated amp and my receivers/integrateds.

    So, now this is a combo:

    Documenting the upgrades to my 1C and 5B, from start to finish.

    or

    How I learned to stop worrying and love the mod.
    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
    edited October 2022
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    lol @ How I Iearned to stop worrying and love the mod. I think this earns you the nickname of Dr. Strangemod ha ha

    I have been following the tweeter mods with interest. I just didn't comment because I actually didn't know what the effect would be of the diffuser and didn't want to pretend I did. That's what makes this fun. Now. We need to print up a back plate of 1/4 wavelength absorbers/maze like the KEF Metamaterial and bore a hole through pole piece to it. Might be violating a patent I don't know lol.
    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
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    OMG

    Doctor Strangemod

    I love it.

    And no idea if the little diffuser dome I made is worth the effort, but the tweeter sounds pretty good to me.

    Probably totally inadequate compared to chop's drilled pole piece+lamb's wool mod.

    That's a mod I want to hear.



    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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  • skipshot12
    skipshot12 Posts: 2,155
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    I’ll second Dr. Strangemod….
    Made me raff.

    George, you have a nickname that you’ll have to splain to friends outside of this forum.
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  • plastic_avatar
    plastic_avatar Posts: 747
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    Surprise equipment upgrade!

    yf5ezoi072v2.jpeg

    Underneath that Aldi bag is a Yamaha p2250.

    It will run mono with my existing p2250.

    WATTS!!!! I haz much watts!!!!

    I'm excited.

    $100 + $60 in gas + 6 hours of my time + beautiful Fall colors and a surprisingly pleasant drive through Ohio = TOTALLY WORTH IT! Woot!

    Bring it, mah Frankenpolks! BRINNNNNG IT!
    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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    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    How do you plan on using those 2 amps with your SDA 1C's?

    Shhhh....don't ruin the well deserved surprise.
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  • Gardenstater
    Gardenstater Posts: 4,932
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    He is going to use them for his Monitor 12s
    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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    Oh well...thought that would help put those poor ruined speakers out of their misery
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  • plastic_avatar
    plastic_avatar Posts: 747
    edited October 2022
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    For now, I was looking forward to pumping all that into my 12's. Sorry. Was very excited about it =)

    And I like having a backup since I'm selling my AX-596.

    But since we're talking about it, couldn't I build a Dread if I wanted to try the 1C in that configuration?

    Orrrrr, in a strange twist, could I mod the 1C to bi-amp? And how would you split that up correctly..

    Annnd, also, at the very least, in a year or so, if I want, I can sell these for more than the $460 invested (that includes gas to go get them). Then I get something new =)
    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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    Well, new future daydreams of a Dread'ed 1C running the p2250 in bridged mode are dashed. I have to play with the bridged amps on the Monitor 12 only.
    6 ohms. Boo. Needs to be 8 for these amps.
    So, I'll still get to play with more power on the Monitors, but I'll have to sell the pair to upgrade if I want more than what the p2250 gives me on the SDA. And that's cool, because if I do that I can look at amps in the $800 range.
    Or the hacksaw to bi-amp is something that might be fun ;)
    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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    FYI, while bridging an amp results in higher power it also results in a higher noise floor. Best to avoid bridging.
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  • plastic_avatar
    plastic_avatar Posts: 747
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    =(
    @F1nut
    I thought seeing the difference in impact/dynamism would be worth the test. My 1st p2250 is dead quiet in the silences.
    I was so impressed going up from my previous integrated, I figured the extra oomph would be noticeable.
    You think the added noise will be enough of a negative to cancel out the other potential gains?
    Looking ahead, what did/do you use to drive SDAs?

    New sub-topic to my main thread is now:
    'For my 1C: What amps around $800 would be worth upgrading to? Amps that would do more than the p2250?'

    Then, after the new year, I can decide whether to keep what I have or upgrade =)

    I am totally going to hook the Monitors up to the bridged amps to see what it does, though. I have to.!It's the closest I've ever gotten to power that is out of my price league =) And otherwise, the 2nd amp will just sit there until the 1C are finished...
    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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    Pro amps, while providing high wpc power, are not noted for their high fidelity and fidelity is what most are trying to obtain. Your goal may be different.

    A high current amp matters more than a high power amp.

    The noise floor is evident while music is playing. The sound has less clarity, is strident and fatiguing, especially at higher volume levels.

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  • invalid
    invalid Posts: 1,559
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    Not to mention bridged amps see half the impedance of the speaker load, so I believe the 1C is 6ohm in bridged mode your amps will be dealing with 3ohm load.
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  • skipshot12
    skipshot12 Posts: 2,155
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    What F1 said and I’ll add to that,
    Although the wattage output is increased by a ****-pot the current capability is compromised.
    The reason why they suggest no loads below 8 ohms.
    8 & above ok.

    It’s best to go with high current amps even if the watts isn’t of the same value… to a point.

    I’ve never understood the reason of why to bridge an amp.
    If someone can explain the benefits I’d appreciate it.

    Skip
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,407
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    Bridging allows for higher sound pressure levels, but that's about it.
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  • skipshot12
    skipshot12 Posts: 2,155
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    Okay but, I have a question regarding that…
    How does one bet higher sp without current?
    Only way that can happen is with easy to drive speakers yes?

    Doesn’t that eliminate speakers of 4 ohms & less?
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