What do you power your sda's with? [Archive]

ND13

11-03-2005, 10:51 AM

I'm powering my SRS 2s with a Parasound HCA 1200 II which is good for 315 wpc @ 4 ohms. Will be going to an all tube amp in the near future. I'm also powering my 2Bs with an AMC 2100 ss amp, which is 100 wpc @ 8 ohms, so I'd have to guess at 6 ohms that it's in the neighborhood of 125-150 wpc.

Both amps do an excellent job and I've yet to have any heat issues.

DAGLJAM6

11-03-2005, 11:26 AM

Adcom GFA555mkII on the SDA2's but soon to be replace with a Carver A500X then the GFA goes back on deck wth the SDA-CRS's, both amps paired with tubed pre's.
(Dodd ELP with the SDA2's and my trusty CJ PV10 on the CRS's.)

nadams

11-03-2005, 11:31 AM

SDA 2's being driven by my old receiver. I've beat the crap out of this receiver since I bought it and it just keeps ticking. I feel the need for more power, I just have to wait until I can afford to feel the need for more power...

100wpc x2, btw...

shack

11-03-2005, 11:32 AM

SDA-1Cs powered by a NAD C270. I have also run them off my DRA-685 with no problems.

BlueMDPicker

11-03-2005, 11:37 AM

2Bs - Counterpoint SA-100 tube/mosfet amp and Transcendent GG tube pre

2As - Dynaco ST70 and PAS 3X pre

SRS - DCM 75+75 and EE MiniMax tube pre, soon to be Carver Lightstar Reference amp and Lightstar Direct passive/active pre
300 wpc @ 8 ohms
600 wpc @ 4 ohms
1200 wpc @ 2 ohms
2400 wpc @ 1 ohm
4800 wpc @ 0.5 ohm

High current, coupled with low output impedence, seems to be what they thrive on.

Jstas

11-03-2005, 12:11 PM

SDA 2B's powered by an Adcom GFA-535 MkII

Seems kind of weak compared to the others here but the amp is pretty stout and runs about 85-90 watts per channel at the 6 ohm load that the SDA 2B's present. I haven't had it even get hot yet to the SDA's aren't even taxing it.

cfrizz

11-03-2005, 01:40 PM

LOL!!! :D

SDA 2's being driven by my old receiver. I've beat the crap out of this receiver since I bought it and it just keeps ticking. I feel the need for more power, I just have to wait until I can afford to feel the need for more power...

100wpc x2, btw...

Dennis Gardner

11-03-2005, 01:46 PM

SDA-1Cs driven with Odyssey Stratos. 150wpc into 8ohms.

criverajr

11-03-2005, 02:31 PM

SDA2,

Running them off B&K AVR307, and NAD Intergrated 250, both do a fine job, the NAD has yet to break a sweat.

CRj

read-alot

11-03-2005, 02:34 PM

Phase Linear 325 watts into 6 ohms which my SDA's are rated

400 watts into 4 ohms

Ricardo

11-03-2005, 03:37 PM

SDA 1B
Dared SL200A Tube pre
Adcom GFA-555 amp, 325w @ 4 ohm

WilliamM2

11-03-2005, 04:29 PM

SDA1C's powered by a Denon POA-2400 power amp.
200 watts @ 8ohms
300 watts @ 6ohms
400 watts @ 4ohms
750 watts at 2ohms!

Why doesn't Denon build equipment like this anymore?

F1nut

11-03-2005, 06:52 PM

SRS - DCM 75+75 and EE MiniMax tube pre, soon to be Carver Lightstar Reference amp and Lightstar Direct passive/active pre

Dibs on the DCM.

BlueMDPicker

11-03-2005, 07:15 PM

Dibs on the DCM.
You've always had dibs on it. No worries.

schwarcw

11-03-2005, 10:45 PM

My SDA-2s are also used in my HT. I'm using a Marantz SR6200 (110 wpc - 8 ohms). Just picked up 2.3's. I need 'mo puwr!!!

Carl

SCompRacer

11-03-2005, 11:59 PM

SRS 2's powered by a 75 WPC McAlister tube amp.

EDIT: Plenty of power to rock the house.

ohskigod

11-04-2005, 12:34 AM

when I ran SDA 1B's in my 2 channel rig, it was driven by a Carver M4.0T amp 375 into 8 ohms, 500 into 4 ohms I believe. more than adequate for the Job. the same amp currently powers my Carver Amazings.

when I had the SDA 1B's in my gaming rig, I powerred them with an Integra ADM2.1 amp. I believe 105 into 8 ohms and 125 into 6 ohms. the amp just didnt seem to do justice for the SDA's, which is why they are now in storage. I would rather have them unused then not sounding good in any capacity.

RuSsMaN

11-04-2005, 01:32 AM

SRS 2's on a modded Anthem Amp 1.

40 watts, EL34 push-pull.

sda2mike

11-04-2005, 09:36 AM

sda 2b's (with new tweets!) powered by a marantz 2270. sounds really good! i don't push it past 10 o'clock. however, i've got the upgrade bug and i want to preserve the sweet marantz for my lifetime :D . in the future (near) i'd like to get a dared sl 2000a tube pre and the adcom gfa 555 amp.

Mike Reeter

11-04-2005, 07:32 PM

SDA SRS 2 powered by Parasound HCA 1500A...Drives them effortlessly,barely gets warm...Love it.

nadams

11-04-2005, 09:02 PM

So far, I think Russ wins for least wattage...

F1nut

11-04-2005, 09:13 PM

Nothing wrong with a SS amp that runs hot. Class A and amps biased towards Class A will run hot and are great for keeping the room warm this time of year.

Jstas

11-04-2005, 09:53 PM

So far, I think Russ wins for least wattage...

When I first got the SDA's, I tested operation after thier long journey home with an old Heathkit that I upgraded with Mullard tubes. That was pushing 10-20 watts per channel. I'm not exactly sure on total output but hey. Then again, it doesn't really count because that Heathkit isn't powering them now. It wasn't quite enough to do them justice either so it's probably best that it isn't powering them.

BobMcG

11-04-2005, 11:33 PM

SRS 2.3 / MONO: Two Hafler 9505 Diablo Trans.Nova amps
750w RMS- 8 ohms, each.
(250w RMS- 8 ohms if used in stereo)
(375w RMS- 4 ohms if used in stereo)

2B / STEREO: Yamaha M-85 amp
260w RMS- 8 ohms 430w dynamic power- 8 ohms
295w RMS- 6 ohms 510w dynamic power- 6 ohms
330w RMS- 4 ohms 660w dynamic power- 4 ohms
-------------------850w dynamic power- 2 ohms
30w RMS- 8 ohms when run in Class A mode.

CRS+ / STEREO: Carver M-1.0t amp
200w RMS- 8 ohms 350w to clipping- 8 ohms
-------------------500w to clipping- 4 ohms
(1000w RMS- 8 ohms if used in mono)

danger boy

11-05-2005, 01:16 AM

my little srs are powered right now with a NAD 2600A, i think 150 wpc @ 8 ohms

would like to move to a Carver or the like some time down the road. I'd like to have about 350 wpc going to them.

00p225

11-05-2005, 02:25 PM

Currently running my SDA-1C's with a 35wpc Eico HF-87 tube amp with EL34's. Previously a Soundcraftsmen PM-840, 200 wpc @ 8 ohms :)

Larry Chanin

11-05-2005, 07:14 PM

ND13

11-05-2005, 07:35 PM

Currently running my SDA-1C's with a 35wpc Eico HF-87 tube amp with EL34's. Previously a Soundcraftsmen PM-840, 200 wpc @ 8 ohms :)

DING DING DING!!!!! We have a winner, by a whole 5 less watts :D

djf

11-11-2005, 07:38 AM

I got the original SDA's in 86.

At first, I had an AKAI 35 wpc receiver which worked ok, nut I knew nothing really about what the SDA's could do then.

My next aquisition was a Kenwood KA-900 Audio Purist amp. Interesting amp, if I put bread on it, I could make my breakfast toast. This was an item I got from DAK elaectronics back in the late 80's, I blew it out once with the SDA's. The heat sink on this puppy could seat a few folks at a football game! Rated thd .003%.

But with the high end fading in the 69% range, I got more power. A Kenwood KA-900 straight amp. Rated power 100 WPC into 8 ohms, rated thd .09. My source goes into a BSR-3000 equalizer, then gets split, and I bi-amp the low end with the KM, and the high end with the KA. I have, in the last few days, rewired things, and don't get the hiigh end cutoff as much as I used to. I have ordered the polyswitches, and am considering oredering the upgrade to the SL-2000's.

I do not understand the emphasis on tube amps here, but I remember the old turntables and preamps, is there really an opinion that SS electronics can't do the job?

Also, if anyone has replaced the grill cloth, if they know what glues/apparatus to do it, please let me know.

Currently listening to: Phantom of the Opera

Recommended:
Elvis Costello: My Aim is True. Lots of weird guitar and organ chords
Thompson Twins: Into the Gap This is an extrordinarily powerful sonic experience, I would compare it to "Tubular Bells"
Yes: Close to the Edge A rock opera!
anything by Pink Floyd, but I agree Welcome to the Machine is probably best

If you have a digital copy of "Grease", the title track will make you almost wreck your car!

ND13

11-11-2005, 08:07 AM

I do not understand the emphasis on tube amps here, but I remember the old turntables and preamps, is there really an opinion that SS electronics can't do the job?

By no means is anyone saying that. Some just prefer the tube sound to SS sound. I'm using tube pre/ss amp combo at this time, but will be going to an all tube amp as soon as I can, but out of preference not necessity. :)

djf

11-11-2005, 08:21 AM

My personal preference is low THD and dynamic range. I remember the first CD player I ever heard (A Sony CDP-200) and I was astounded by the dynamic range.(It was a Billy Joel cd).

Interesting that if I record a CD onto my 7.5 ips AKAI r2r, the playback sounds better on the r2r.

The SDA's are the best home sound I've ever heard. Some may sound better at low volumes, or at certain frequencies, but these are overall the best investment I ever made.

I don't wanna blow out any more amps, so I'm diggin for suggestions.

So, so you think you can tell...

nadams

11-11-2005, 08:40 AM

djf- if you like Yes, try Fragile as well. Specifically, the beginning of track 4, tracks 6, 8, and 9. Hell, listen to the whole CD. So far, this is the best CD I have that I've found for listening to my SDA's....

djf

11-11-2005, 08:48 AM

Saw Yes in concert in 73 at Geneseo college, right before Fragile came out, sat on the gym floor and wondered what all those people were smokin!

Still tryin to find Topographic Oceans locally.

Listenin right now to "Blood on the Tracks".

bert26

11-11-2005, 09:23 AM

SDA SRS 2 - ADCOM GFA-555
200 watts at 8 ohms
Using HK DPR1005 as pre

SDA 1B's - Nakamichi PA-5
100 watts at 8 ohms
Using Nakamichi CA-5 as pre

djf

11-11-2005, 09:57 AM

I have an Ipod for sale with funky little ear thingies. Anybody interested?

,ooo4 WPC!!

Damn, I remember the KLH;s(excellent for classical). the JBL's, the Carvers and McIntosh's, one of the first components I owned was a Lafayette amp from Radio Shack.

00p225

11-11-2005, 10:27 AM

I think tube vs solid state on the sda series of speakers is just a matter of taste. Mainly, I feel a good quality tube amplifier just helps my sda-1c's in midrange tone/timbre, an area where they allready excel. The combo produces low fatigue listening for long periods.

djf

11-11-2005, 10:29 AM

There are some sounds you can only hear when it's night.

Current: ABC, the Lexicon of love.

Heard a story that Martin Frye got so bent he flushed his gold lame jackect down a toilet in Strassbourg, but don;t know how reliable it is....

mr2spyder

11-11-2005, 11:36 AM

Adcom- GFA 555.

I-SIG

11-11-2005, 02:21 PM

Hi Keith,

I'm using a Parasound HCA-2200II to power my SDA-1Cs.
220 watts RMS x 2, 20Hz-20kHz, 8 ohms
385 watts RMS x 2, 20Hz-20kHz, 4 ohms

I'm using a Parasound HCA-2003 to power my SDA-CRS+s.
200 watts RMS x 3, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 8 ohms
300 watts RMS x 3, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 4 ohms

Larry

That 2200 is beast, ain't she :D

Works great on my SRS's. At 5ohms nominal, I figure I'm getting around 350 per side. :)

Wes

Larry Chanin

11-11-2005, 03:24 PM

That 2200 is beast, ain't she :D

Works great on my SRS's. At 5ohms nominal, I figure I'm getting around 350 per side. :)

Wes

Hi Wes,

Yes, I'm very happy with it, but I've occassionaly thought it would nice to go bigger. I've tinkered with the idea of getting an HCA-3500:

Continuous Power Output
350 watts RMS per channel from 20 Hz-20 kHz into 8 W, both channels driven
500 watts RMS per channel from 20 Hz-20 kHz into 4 W, both channels driven

Remember our old thread on the subject?

Parasound HCA2200II or HCA3500 safe with SDAs? (http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21094&page=1&pp=30&highlight=hca-3500)

Regards,

Larry

Shizelbs

11-11-2005, 03:34 PM

SRS 2s being driven by a Sunfire Reference Stereo amp. 250 @ 8 and 500 @ 4. Cold as ice.

schwarcw

11-11-2005, 06:37 PM

djf,

I heard YES twice in Pittsburgh during the '73 - '75 period. Unbelievable sound! Rick Wakeman was tremendous! Where did you see them?
Carl

I-SIG

11-11-2005, 07:28 PM

Hi Wes,

Yes, I'm very happy with it, but I've occassionaly thought it would nice to go bigger. I've tinkered with the idea of getting an HCA-3500:

Continuous Power Output
350 watts RMS per channel from 20 Hz-20 kHz into 8 W, both channels driven
500 watts RMS per channel from 20 Hz-20 kHz into 4 W, both channels driven

Remember our old thread on the subject?

Parasound HCA2200II or HCA3500 safe with SDAs? (http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21094&page=1&pp=30&highlight=hca-3500)

Regards,

Larry

I had forgotten about that one. :) I figure if there was really a problem, the blade-blade SRS's would've really shown it.

Wonder what the verdict is on the 3500? I'd love some more juice for the SRS's myself. I figure right now that $$$ is better spent on tweeters, binding posts, and crossover upgrades.

Wes

BobMcG

11-11-2005, 09:37 PM

Welcome to the forums.

I got the original SDA's in 86.

Which model SDAs do you have?

I do not understand the emphasis on tube amps here

If you read around more you may find that there is actually a bit more of an emphasis on the use of tube preamps...

djf

11-11-2005, 09:58 PM

They are the original SDA-SRS's, as previewed in SR Nov, 85. w/ the SL2000 tweeters, I am unsure of a part number on the midranges, but they are stamped with a manufacture date of Nov 18, 1985.

twochannel

11-12-2005, 09:17 AM

I have an original pair of SDA-SRS's that I puchased in 1986. I used two Adcom GFA-555's biwired in stereo for high and low freq's. You could warm your coffie on them. I upgraded to 565 mono blocks in the early 90's, and until a recent failure, they worked great. I just purchased a pristine and seldom used Adcom GFA-555MKII, until my mono amp is checked out. I think that I'm going to sell the mono-blocks because the upgraded 555MKII has better bass handling.

BobMcG

11-12-2005, 11:12 AM

They are the original SDA-SRS's, as previewed in SR Nov, 85. w/ the SL2000 tweeters, I am unsure of a part number on the midranges, but they are stamped with a manufacture date of Nov 18, 1985.

Nice!

BobMcG

11-12-2005, 11:21 AM

I upgraded to 565 mono blocks in the early 90's, and until a recent failure, they worked great. I just purchased a pristine and seldom used Adcom GFA-555MKII, until my mono amp is checked out. I think that I'm going to sell the mono-blocks because the upgraded 555MKII has better bass handling.

That failure was likely due to the fact that the SDA-SRSs weren't made to be powered by mono blocks, bridged to mono or (other) non-common ground stereo amps.

nadams

11-12-2005, 11:32 AM

Bob- how would it have lasted nearly 10 years, then? Just curious...

rskarvan

11-12-2005, 12:16 PM

SRS 3.1TL's powered by Krell KAV250A (250wpc).

twochannel

11-12-2005, 01:05 PM

Adcom GFA-565 mono blocks can be used with most SDA speakers that cannot use the A-1 speaker interface cable by connecting both amps negative speaker output together by using a jumper wire. This makes them common ground on the output side. If you don't make the Adcom amps common ground, you will damage the speakers crossover network before you damage the amp. Care must also be taken on the 120 volt input power to eliminate a possible ground loop, by connecting them on the same grounded circuit.

BobMcG

11-12-2005, 09:13 PM

Bob- how would it have lasted nearly 10 years, then? Just curious...

I can't give you a definitive answer to that but I believe it was in the luck of the draw.

Years ago my brother had a pair of amps damaged in the same manor but it happend slowly over a long period of time. (Can't remember exactly but say around a year or more.) One amp was obviously badly damaged at that point and the other one was only just showing that it too was starting down the same road. Why not both at the same time and rate??? This was even after talking to the amp manufacturer about joining the two chassis together to create a common ground setup so we thought we had that covered.

On the other hand there are some who have had bad problems sooner rather than later so go figure.

george daniel

11-13-2005, 06:40 AM

Sda 1c's powered by Belles 350A :)

W WALDECKER

11-13-2005, 07:53 AM

Sda 1c's powered by Belles 350A :)Hey George, i thought that deal was dead in the water. you lucky dog!there is a guy on the audiocircles who just bought the Belles 350 A and gave it a first impression mini review and some of the other heavy hitters over there also listened to it and were saying that it compares very favorably to the McCormack DNA 500. you must be in audio Nirvana right about now!thanks....WCW III

george daniel

11-13-2005, 08:26 AM

W WALDECKER

11-13-2005, 09:00 AM

Long story short; agon,agree to buy,send mo. priority tracking(when I left the post office, I had a strange feeling that something was not right),3 days later No receipt,seems that the clerk had flipped the last two digits of the zip, seller gets a little concerned, puts it back up for sale,two weeks pass and "presto" the mail arrives, seller e-mails me, still has it, ships, got it last wednesday,meantime I'm rebuilding x-overs,so it sounds pretty darn good through 5 jrs and the uld-15 velo,I'll post pic's, part #'s and prices when my order of sonicaps arrive.I'm going to pull the trigger on the mono's with Klaus for the other set of 1c's that I have to pick up from another club member,got another tube pre in the makings,wife is happy since I've sold most of my other gear,,all I do is endorse checks for her deposits,,but she does not get ALL of it. Two things that I've always lived by,but never always act on them
#1-Trust your gut feeling (should have @ the post office)
#2- Careful what you ask/wish for, you just might get it.
Thanks for turning me on to Klaus,did he say that he has a 380 lb. amp :eek: ;)yeah George,he has a 380 lb power amplifier. its a Symphonic Line Kraft 400 stereo unit. 450 wpc class A with banks of capacitors larger than 12 oz beer cans and you can fry an egg on it when it is cranked up! built in the 1990s and now available only by special order it retailed for $36,000 bucks and is still to this day considered one of the best sounding solid state amplifiers in existance.i also know a guy named Marbles over at the audio circles that owns a pair of Kraft 400 Monos! how cool is that ? thanks....WCW III

george daniel

11-13-2005, 10:25 AM

Any pic's of this monster :eek:

W WALDECKER

11-13-2005, 11:06 AM

Any pic's of this monster :eek:Hey George,if you look at Marbles pictures in the gallery section of the audiocircles he has some pictures of one of the Kraft 400 monos with the hood off of it. imagine having 900 watts of Class A power! it boggles the mind. thanks....WCW III

Larry Chanin

11-13-2005, 12:33 PM

I had forgotten about that one. :) I figure if there was really a problem, the blade-blade SRS's would've really shown it.

Wonder what the verdict is on the 3500? I'd love some more juice for the SRS's myself. I figure right now that $$$ is better spent on tweeters, binding posts, and crossover upgrades.

Wes

Hi Wes,

Yes, I've got blade-blade 1C's and have have no problems.

Assuming we'd be buying the 3500 on the used market, I guess it would be wise to require the seller to measure the resistance across the negative terminals and report back.

I finally broke down and did the tweeter upgrade on my 1C's and CRS+. It's definately an improvement. I can now play them at near reference levels without experiencing harshness.

I think the binding posts upgrade is one of those "feels good" things you do that don't really effect performance.

I wish I had the skills to do the crossover upgrades.

Larry

dbnh

11-13-2005, 01:41 PM

I'm going to pull the trigger on the mono's with Klaus for the other set of 1c's that I have to pick up from another club member....Thanks for turning me on to Klaus,,,

More kudos for Klaus (and Odyssey Audio) in the house!

kkowal

11-16-2005, 12:41 PM

SDA SRS 2'S Are Powered By a Pioneer sx1080 The Generous side of 120wpc.

egp823

11-18-2005, 04:16 AM

I am using a yamaha M-85 260 watts /ch to run my CRS+.

Tour2ma

11-18-2005, 04:57 AM

SRS's bi-amped by 4 of 5 ch's of a Sunfire Signature Cinema Grand...

Me likee...

I-SIG

11-18-2005, 02:30 PM

Hi Wes,

Yes, I've got blade-blade 1C's and have have no problems.

Assuming we'd be buying the 3500 on the used market, I guess it would be wise to require the seller to measure the resistance across the negative terminals and report back.

I finally broke down and did the tweeter upgrade on my 1C's and CRS+. It's definately an improvement. I can now play them at near reference levels without experiencing harshness.

I think the binding posts upgrade is one of those "feels good" things you do that don't really effect performance.

I wish I had the skills to do the crossover upgrades.

Larry

Larry, I know how you feel about x-over upgrades. :( Mybe I can pay F1 or Doro to do that for me once I get the funds to buy the parts. That'll be awhile with tripled housing costs.

Same on the tweeters, plus I need to get bucking magnets to shield these hawses from the TV. Does EMF affect DLP TV's?

I fully agree on that about getting the selling to measure across the binding posts. I'd love to find one. I'd probably have to run a drop cord from another circuit to power the rest of the system with that puppy!

Wes

thehaens@cox.net

11-18-2005, 03:42 PM

1.2's powered w/ a Parasound HCA-1500 on the bottom end and the top end w/ the A outputs on the Sony DA7ES.........

1A's Pioneer SX-1080

1B's HK 3470

Scott

Larry Chanin

11-21-2005, 01:40 PM

Larry, I know how you feel about x-over upgrades. :( Mybe I can pay F1 or Doro to do that for me once I get the funds to buy the parts. That'll be awhile with tripled housing costs.

Same on the tweeters, plus I need to get bucking magnets to shield these hawses from the TV. Does EMF affect DLP TV's?

I fully agree on that about getting the selling to measure across the binding posts. I'd love to find one. I'd probably have to run a drop cord from another circuit to power the rest of the system with that puppy!

Wes

Hi Wes,

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I discovered that the forum's email notification of posting replies was set to weekly instead of immediately.

[I hope the other Club members will indulge this off topic response.]
I'm not sure about EMF affecting DLP TV's, but my guess is if it were effected at all it would be less sensitive than CRT's. My reasoning is that it is the charged electrons in a CRT that is effected by magnets. These electron beams can extend relatively close to the sides of the TV cabinet where they are effected by closely placed unshielded magnets. DLP's operate on moving microscopic mirrors. If these mirrors rely on magnetic forces to move, then they might be susceptible the influence of magnets. However, the computer chip that the microscopic mirrors is mounted on is probably no more than a square inch in size, and it's likely it would be mounted in the interior of a TV where it is less likely to be effected by unshielded speaker magnets placed near the TV. All this is just a guess on my part.

Larry