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

Options
1…78101213…30

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    edited October 2022
    Options
    This content has been removed.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    edited October 2022
    Options
    This content has been removed.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    edited October 2022
    Options
    This content has been removed.
  • westmassguy
    westmassguy Posts: 6,850
    Options
    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    looks like they just carry the black now.

    https://store.haveinc.com/p-49380-canare-4s11-starquad-speaker-cable-14-awg-cut.aspx

    It can be a pain to find on their site since they carry so many kinds of Canare and other cable, you can get lost.
    If you need say 100' call them and ask if they can offer you a better price than the 1.39 a foot. They are happy to work with you.

    Try : https://www.redco.com/Canare-4S11.html
    Home Theater/2 Channel:
    Front: SDA-2ATL forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/143984/my-2as-finally-finished-almost/p1
    Center: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/150760/my-center-channel-project/p1
    Surrounds & Rears: Custom Built forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/151647/my-surround-project/p1
    Sonicaps, Mills, RDO-194s-198s, Dynamat, Hurricane Nuts, Blackhole5
    Pioneer Elite VSX-72TXV, Carver PM-600, SVS PB2-Plus Subwoofer

    dhsspeakerservice.com/
    · Share on Facebook
  • plastic_avatar
    plastic_avatar Posts: 747
    edited October 2022
    Options
    The Canare seems like a good deal, thank you wmg and pt2.

    What banana plugs do you guys use? The generic ones I have are... difficult.

    ( And now I see wmg's entry of https://www.amazon.com/GLS-Audio-Locking-Generation-Connector/dp/B000O8AHLA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8 )

    BAH! But they are no longer on Amazon =(

    Similar design:

    https://www.amazon.com/FosPower-Speaker-Connectors-Receiver-Amplifiers/dp/B06Y9129X1/ref=sr_1_18?crid=2OEHHWLB96UB1&keywords=gls+banana+plug&qid=1666461912&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIyLjQ4IiwicXNhIjoiMC4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMDAifQ==&sprefix=gls+banana+plug,aps,80&sr=8-18

    Why would this company consider this design to be better than the full plug?

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L4NT17Z?pd_rd_i=B091YR4JRK&pf_rd_p=55defc4a-7c1e-47a7-8d1d-5cc458cca688&pf_rd_r=VYFEFDQGZ5Z57W8DT1EM&pd_rd_wg=Eax45&pd_rd_w=299Sy&pd_rd_r=260503ac-a136-4ab8-8978-a6b61fb87f34&th=1

    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
    · Share on Facebook
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Options
    This content has been removed.
  • skipshot12
    skipshot12 Posts: 2,155
    Options
    p_a,

    Hard to find a high current high watt amp amp at that price point.
    Some of the older Perreaux amps fit the bill but from memory it would be in 1k & higher range. Plus having to go through them because of age adds to the cost.
    The old Perreaux 2250’s, not positive on that model number, are really nice once gone through.
    · Share on Facebook
  • plastic_avatar
    plastic_avatar Posts: 747
    Options
    @skipshot12 Well, damn. Going from high-end consumer to low-end audiofancy is a big price jump. I'll start keeping my eye out next Spring. Thank you for the info.

    I believe the road-worthy Yamaha amps I have (and the other series with VU meters) are as good as the equivalent home versions (with those pretty red meters) from the early to mid-eighties. There are design differences, but I honestly think the sound quality debate between the lines is overblown. I'm grateful to have something that will drive the 1C competently until I have the funds to upgrade again to see what experience audiofancy gear can give me.

    @pitdogg2 Used the images from your links to find a similar plug that'll get here sooner than the December delivery. Thank you for the help! I'm waaaay more excited about plugs than is probably normal...

    On foaming the inside of the mw baskets:

    Absolutely a pain in the keister to remove, for me.

    I am 100% o.k. with the risks, but fair warning to people without steady hands! Only press to stick when you're sure!

    @Gardenstater had some ideas for a less... sticky... variation. Interested to see where that goes.

    This week's progress:

    I'll have all 8 mw matted and foamed in the next few days. Then plugged. This week, all the drivers will be ready for reinstall! Woot!

    That^ includes my fine looking Wuhans ;)

    And I'll install the custom terminal plates.

    After those^ are done:

    - Clean cabinets.

    - I'm going to go ahead and assemble the crossovers with the stock coils. I'll take them out and replace them when my order comes in around Christmas. That way, I can at least have 1 before/after comparison to share ;) As it is, my first comparison will just be between my Monitor 12 and the 1C. I think that's a great comparison, btw. Wuhans vs. the 198. SDA vs. normal stereo w/ speakers of similar design. Differences in bass. It'll be a hoot =)

    - Put together the SDA cable and new banana-plugged speaker wires.

    - Install Hurricane nuts.

    - Re-roll and re-place polyfill mats to make sure they're snug and where they should be.

    - New gaskets for the drivers. Armacell on mw and passive, poster putty for the Wuhans.

    - Install xschop's heavy duty rings when drivers are mounted.

    - Test with and without VR3's sweet felt diffraction pads. I've got velcro to stick them on.

    Mods/things after the new year:

    - Blackhole5 or similar behind mw. a good comparison awaits on that.

    - Possible dowel bracing from face to rear around passive. Another good comparison opportunity.

    - Possible density matting in passive chamber like my Monitor 12. Will it give me the same improvements for the 1C.

    - Custom stands and spikes.

    Now, what did I forget?

    I mean, besides the DK Dreadnaught...
    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
    · Share on Facebook
  • skipshot12
    skipshot12 Posts: 2,155
    edited October 2022
    Options
    p_a,

    That list will keep you busy for a bit :o

    How much BH5 are you in need of?
    I have some left over after completing my mechanical upgrades to my SDA SRS'.

    I went with 4"x4" pieces of BH5 behind the MW drivers and am happy with the results.
    I'll not be needing what I have left over.

    PM me if you're interested for the price of shipping....
    · Share on Facebook
  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 5,820
    Options
    I vote bracing front to back in addition to the MW rings if you can and at 11 o'clock and 1 o'clock near the PR.
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
    · Share on Facebook
  • plastic_avatar
    plastic_avatar Posts: 747
    Options
    I have 2.5 mw to go!

    Had to parent. Delayed. No biggie. I love being a Dad. Best job in the world.

    Bracing = yeah... that's a cheap, easy, quick mod. I'll probably just do it over Christmas.

    BH5 = msg'd.
    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
    · Share on Facebook
  • plastic_avatar
    plastic_avatar Posts: 747
    Options
    @skipshot12 BH5 has arrived! Thank you =)

    wvo8dwsmvy90.gif

    Revised plans

    v1

    done:

    - xschop's phase plugs
    - aluminized rubber on basket exteriors
    - Gardenstater's Armacell basket interiors
    - build VSAT88 Wuhans
    - build terminal plates

    to-do (next 2 weeks):

    - SDA cable
    - crossovers, minus new coils
    - driver seals
    - Hurricane nuts/bolts
    - xschop's backer rings
    - VR3's anti-diffraction pads
    - CLEAN THE 1C AND MAKE 'EM PRETTY!!!

    v2

    tests/installs to-do (Thanksgiving to Christmas):

    - BlackHole5 behind mids
    - front-to-back dowel reinforcement of front face.
    - aluminized rubber on passive chamber walls
    - build adjustable stands
    - install spikes

    v3

    to-do (as soon as they arrive, likely after Chrustmas):

    - coils

    v4

    wishlist:

    DarqueKnight's Dreadnaught
    replace wiring

    This is totally going to suck if I end up gating the SDA effect ;)

    5g38ckg9r52s.jpeg
    1cuycv39a1m6.jpeg
    j5jd6vt1igff.jpeg
    sob0xaci5e6i.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
    · Share on Facebook
  • skipshot12
    skipshot12 Posts: 2,155
    Options
    Sa-Weet…. 👍
    · Share on Facebook
  • skipshot12
    skipshot12 Posts: 2,155
    edited October 2022
    Options
    ^ What do you mean by the sda,
    Are you going to abandoning that?
    · Share on Facebook
  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 5,820
    Options
    Coming along nicely.
    Are you doing stainless fasteners?
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
    · Share on Facebook
  • plastic_avatar
    plastic_avatar Posts: 747
    Options
    @skipshot12 I've got to make the replacement SDA cable. I have the original. I'd like to compare the two once I get it up and running. Not abandoning.

    @xschop Stainless fasteners? Sweet Mother Mary, what did I miss on my parts list? Fasteners for what?
    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
    · Share on Facebook
  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 5,820
    Options
    Hurricane nuts and MW rings are 8-32
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
    · Share on Facebook
  • invalid
    invalid Posts: 1,559
    Options
    You can get fasteners for hurricane nuts at the hardware store, I used black Allen bolts, you probably might even be able to find stainless.
    · Share on Facebook
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Options
    This content has been removed.
  • skipshot12
    skipshot12 Posts: 2,155
    Options
    plastic_avatar wrote: »
    @skipshot12 I've got to make the replacement SDA cable. I have the original. I'd like to compare the two once I get it up and running. Not abandoning.

    @xschop Stainless fasteners? Sweet Mother Mary, what did I miss on my parts list? Fasteners for what?

    👍
    · Share on Facebook
  • plastic_avatar
    plastic_avatar Posts: 747
    Options
    Took a break for a couple of days.

    That meant too much time to wonder about tweaks.

    Sooooo... Spring has a new mod on the horizon: Daytons for the top tweeters.

    Seems there are 3 upgrade paths (in order of expense)::

    - Wuhans
    - Daytons
    https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/168239/a-real-sl-2000-hack-replace-stock-burnt-voice-coils-with-silk-diaphragm-dome/p17
    - 194s

    Reverse that, and you've got the upgrades in order of time involved and complexity.

    I want something with a little sparkle at the top than I think the Wuhan gives me. Come Spring, I'm putting a swap to Daytons in the upper tweeter slots. We'll see how they sound. xschop has put them in as a drop-in replacement for the 2000, if I understood correctly.

    Thought keeping the Wuhan for the handoff from the mw makes sense. I'll see when the time comes.

    Another thought:

    Maybe we should have a specific Vintage Mods thread? The diy one doesn't quite fit.

    Just thinking that it could be a drama-free zone (dfz) for mods. All the stickies we want up top (some from here, but we also put in the VSAT88 tweeter mod thread, basket foaming, etc.). Might make the playground more enjoyable between the Montagues and Capulets.
    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
    · Share on Facebook
  • plastic_avatar
    plastic_avatar Posts: 747
    Options
    Fir a forum section title, putting Polk in the name would help.

    Vintage Polk mods/upgrades

    or something like that.
    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
    · Share on Facebook
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,407
    Options
    You want sparkle, use the SL2000.

    A separate section for ruining speakers is NOT going to happen.
    · Share on Facebook
  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 5,820
    edited October 2022
    Options
    He said sparkle, not...ear ache.

    The DFZ, not for whiners....would be a catchy name.
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
    · Share on Facebook
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,407
    Options
    I think the DMS would be more appropriate.
    · Share on Facebook
  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 5,820
    Options
    N.ot
    S.afe
    F.or
    W.hiners
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
    · Share on Facebook
  • plastic_avatar
    plastic_avatar Posts: 747
    Options
    DMS?

    The ruining part... has that happened?

    Mods go from matting baskets to the TL, from Dreads to Wuhans, and all kinds of things in-between.

    Why wouldn't it make sense to have a dedicated forum topic for it? It would help a lot of people to have the data in one location.

    It could have everything someone who wants to do work on their speakers could go for dedicated stickies for each particular mod/upgrade.

    I know you think I'm ruining my speakers, but we have different metrics. That's o.k., purists and hot rodders can live in peace =)

    There could even be a big warning/disclaimer as sticky #1, listing all the mods and potential dangers. That would be really helpful, and answer a lot of questions before anyone gets started.

    I used to do technical writing and instruction. I can help make it work =)
    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
    · Share on Facebook
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,407
    Options
    I've been modding speakers and audio gear long before most here, so far from a purist. As for vintage Polk speakers there are tried and true mods and then there are ones that defy logic.

    We already have a DYI/tweak section. Polk is not going to create yet another one.
    · Share on Facebook
  • plastic_avatar
    plastic_avatar Posts: 747
    Options
    You run the forums for Polk?

    I didn't realize that.

    Is that part of being President, or is that separate?

    Is there a charter that explains all that? I'd love to read it- like how often are elections, how long do positions last, how do you campaign/vote, are there other club positions I don't know about?

    Other clubs/committees with chairs or presidents I've been involved in have other positions like secretary, treasurer, liaison, master of records- or whatever equivalents there are. Who reports to whom? What's the process for requesting changes? Yada, yada, yada.

    I helped created an open source employee recognition program with a really robust committee system and ratified charter covering all the deets, so this stuff fascinates me =)

    Point me in a direction and I'll read up on all of it!

    Sorry, this kind of documentation/org-charting/decision-making-structure is my jam.

    [charter nerd excitement]
    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
    · Share on Facebook
  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 5,820
    Options
    Presidents are only reflections of their teleprompters.
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
    · Share on Facebook