Polk SDA 1C and Aragon 4004 Mk II
Texas42
Posts: 410
I know the Aragon is a 'dual mono' amp but it shares the same power supply (I'm assuming since it has one power switch). Does that mean it is a common ground amp? Or would I be better off using a jumper or wire to connect my two negative speaker outputs? In short, what is the best way to connect my Aragon to my SDA 1Cs correctly? Thanks much for any insight.
Comments
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I found the schematic for the MkI version and nothing there indicated there would be a problem. I also found the owner's manual for the MkII version and nothing was mentioned about connecting to common ground speakers. Do you have a volt/ohm meter available?
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They are not common ground. I have both the 4004mkii and the 8008bb both have one torrid for each side left and right. I had to build a dreadnought to be able to use my 2.3tl SDA's.
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would connecting the two negative terminals 'common ground' them?
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I also have a McIntosh Model 754 and an Audio Research D100A amp....I imagine both of those are common ground so perhaps I should just use them instead.
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would connecting the two negative terminals 'common ground' them?
I wish I knew the answer to that. Some amps that is absolutely a possibility, some it will be very bad. -
The only real solution is to build a Dreadnought.
Side note: strapping the negative outputs (if even possible) negates the benefits of a true dual mono topology.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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I have the ARC D100A amp schematic and both the left and right negative terminals are connected to ground, so it could be used with the SDA speakers with no problem. No additional wiring is necessary and it is a fine sounding amp.
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Falcon: Thanks for the input. That helps with what I have on hand.
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Good, I'm glad the information was helpful. I remember selling lots of the D100A amps and they were always well received.
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You should still build a Dreadnought as it improves the sound even with a common ground amplifier.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 -
You should still build a Dreadnought as it improves the sound even with a common ground amplifier.
Again, THIS!!!! ^^^^^^^^ -
Well, I checked out the Aragon with an Ohmmeter today and it was about 5 or 6 ohms. However, when I connected some zip cord between the two negative terminals, it dropped down to less than 1 ohm (about .5). I am assuming this 'common ground' will eliminate any SDA issues and make this amp capable of powering my SDA 1C's competently. Thoughts?
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It's not a question of using an external wire to create a common ground. That's what the speakers do as part of their design. The question is can the Aragon be damaged if it is connected to a common ground speaker. There are some amplifiers that the negative speaker terminal is producing electricity just like the positive speaker terminal. The speaker is being driven by both the positive speaker terminal and the negative speaker terminal. The only way to determine this accurately is with the amplifier connected to the speakers without the SDA cable and having the speakers playing take a volt/ohm meter set to AC volts. Put the negative probe of the meter on a grounding point, the outside shield of the RCA jack, for example. Put the positive probe on the red speaker terminal and you should see numbers rapidly going up and down. Then place the positive probe on the black speaker terminal and you should see 0 volts, no electricity being generated at the amplifier's negative terminal. This means when you connect the SDA cable the amplifier will not be shorted out.
