Greetings from a recent RTA and SDA owner!

[Backtothe80s]

I've been reading this forum in recent months, and wanted to finally jump in and involve myself in Club Polk! My name is Bruce, and I live in eastern PA. Over the past 6 months, I've sought out and purchased a bunch of audio gear that I wished I could have had since the 80's, hence my login name. Some might call it a mid-life crisis, but the good news is that I'm enjoying it! I'm not sure the neighbors share my enthusiasm, but I'm pretty respectful, and generally shut down early.

My recent purchases include a couple of Adcom GFA 555 amps (to go with the Adcom GFA 545 that I actually did purchase in the 80's), an Adcom GTP-600 A/V preamp/processor, a Carver tfm-55x, a pair of Polk RTA 11t’s, and a beautiful pair of Polk SDA SRS 2's. Since I'm currently not married, I was able to avoid the whole issue of the SRS 2's having a very low wife approval factor. My girlfriend encourages my hobby! I had purchased a Samsung 50" 1080p about a year and a half ago. I also had some Klipsch KG4's, an old Nakamichi BX2 tape machine (also purchased in the 80's), and a couple of DVD/CD players not worth mentioning. Basically, I decided I had denied myself long enough, but that’s a thing of the past now.

I've grown to know and trust some of you just from my readings here and have already taken your good advice and upgraded to the RD0194 tweeters in the SRS2’s. I fully plan to do the crossover refreshes as soon as I identify and write down the specific parts list. Based on my readings, I’ll probably use Dayton caps (should I spend the cash and get film?) and Mills resistors. I’ll do the recommended application of Mortite at the same time I do the crossovers. I know there are threads out there for this already with great information and detail from Greg (Inspiredsports), Ben, Drew (NJPOLKER) and Sal to name just a few.

My strongest interest is in music, but I want a decent HT as well. My current 2 -channel rig is clearly the GTP-600, TFM-55x, the Polk SDA SRS 2's, and an older Yamaha CD machine. The current project is to add the Polk RTA 11t's as surrounds, driven by one of the GFA 555's, but I may still be shopping for another TFM 55 or 45. That leaves the other GFA 555 to power a center channel, which I have yet to purchase. I'm thinking about modifying a Polk SDS CRS to run as a center, but haven't decided yet. I'll definitely take suggestions from you fine folks on that issue. All of this is fully dependent on me finishing the remodelling of downstairs, since I really don’t have ample space in the current room.

Anyway...enough about my mid-life crisis. I hope all of you welcome me, as I may have questions/comments as I put the system together downstairs. Please feel free to offer suggestions on the crossover upgrades or the center channel.

Bruce

[Ricardo]

Welcome Bruce!!

Solen is another cheap & proven alternative for the capacitors. Of course the Dayton metallized will also work.

[leroyjr1]

Welcome Bruce !!

[jimmydep]

Welcome to the CLub Bruce!!

Nice system


Jimmy

[AudioGenics]

Welcome to Club Polk !
enjoy...

[ben62670]

Welcome Bruce. Glad to see you did a little research before diving in. The Dayton caps are film caps. You may want to consider the SoniCaps on the highs. I started a thread a while back on cheaper caps. It was very nice to have others chime in with their opinions.
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61727
As for a center channel are you good with wood working? Polk has been kind enough to share their XO diagrams, and enough driver parameters to build a nice center that matches there other vintage speakers using their parts.
Have fun.
Ben

[Dawgfish]

Welcome aboard! I am an RTA and recent SDA owner myself. I applaud your tast in speakers. Here's to many happy years at Club Polk.

[Backtothe80s]

Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome!

Ben...I am, in fact, reasonably good with wood, and would probably find the center channel a fun and rewarding project. It'll have to wait until after the remodelling project is finished, though. Thanks for the comments on the caps, too. I definitely want to maximize the high-end performance without spending an arm and a leg. Hopefully, the bulk of my spending is behind me, but somehow I doubt it.

From my readings, I have learned that you're the respected authority on the XO jobs, so I value your opinion. When I do that job, I'll refer closely to the previous threads for additional tips.

[Pycroft]

Welcome and congrats on teh speakers. Just got some RTA 11TL's, and I love them. Congrats on having a g/f that approves of your hobby too :) I make purchases without my wifes knowledge, and try to explain it off later :)

Pycroft

[ben62670]

If you have ever seen a circle jig for cutting the speaker, and XO holes then you are good to go. I am sure I have an XO around here that would work just fine for a center channel. I went through a buying frenzy a while ago, and I have them collecting dust. As far as the XO's if you have the stuff to redo them, and are comfortable soldering then there are plenty of people here that are more than willing to help.
Ben

[Backtothe80s]

I just saw that JVC posted a link today to a guy in Baltimore that has some RTA11 bare cabinets for sale. I could pick them up on a day trip. What do you think about using one of those cabinets as a starting point? Would it work well in a horizontal position? I already have a couple of MW6511's (and SL200's) ready to be popped in. I'd need the XO and PWs.

[Face]

The off axis response wouldn't be great.

[ben62670]

Those are big cabinets. With the two passives mounted off center the imaging would be off.

[Backtothe80s]

Thanks, Face. I absolutely love your auto-signature message.

[BB3]

Backtothe80s,

I'm glad that you joined this great Polk Audio Forum. Welcome Aboard Sir.
You and I also share some similarities as fas as speakers are concerned, so please don't ever hesitate to ask me about something.
Take Care Of Yourself And Most Importantly, Happy Listening.--BB3

[heiney9]

Welcome Bruce!

I concur with Ricardo about the Solen's, but I just replaced the Solen high pass cap in a pair of Monitor 5B's I recapped about 2 years ago with a Clarity Cap PX series and am very happy. It's a bit smoother and offers a bit better imaging than the Solen. The Clarity cap is less "hard edged" and blends a little better. I kept the Solen in the low pass.

http://www.madisound.com/manufacturers/claritycap/px.php

Here's a great site that rates some of the more popular caps.

http://www.humblehomemadehifi.com/Cap.html

I highly recommend Clarity Caps over Dayton and Solen for use in the high pass parts of the crossover. For SDA's I love the Sonicap line as the SDA's are worth spending a little more money. I have Sonicap's in my SDA 1C's.

Stick around, enjoy, contribute, have fun!

H9

[devani]

welcome bruce...you are in the right place....and right speakers

[JohnLocke88]

Welcome, Bruce, I have just recently gotten into vintage Polk Speakers, and I must you're in good hands here. There are many knowledgeable sources (not myself for the most part :D).

Welcome to the hobby and to CP.

[ben62670]

Thanks H9. I have been wanting to try the Clarity Caps. I will never use Solen's again in the high pass. I still use them as shunts when Dayton doesn't have the uf value that I am looking for. Have you added them to the cap shootout that I posted a while ago?
Ben

[heiney9]

Thanks H9. I have been wanting to try the Clarity Caps. I will never use Solen's again in the high pass. I still use them as shunts when Dayton doesn't have the uf value that I am looking for. Have you added them to the cap shootout that I posted a while ago?
Ben

Ben, I've been very impressed with the Clarity Cap PX series. Essentially about the same price as Solen, Dayton, Jantzen, etc. They seem to perform well beyond their price point. Clarity produces (3) other lines above them, I can only imagine how good those sound. I know Face is a big advocate for Clarity Caps. The thing is the Solens aren't horrible........but for about the same $$$ or even less there are better alternatives

I'll add what I can to your post when I get a chance. I still owe Gavin (MIT cable shootout) a review of the MIT's.....that comes first.

H9

[Fongolio]

Welcome Bruce. Good introduction.

Kelvin

[Face]

Ben, I've been very impressed with the Clarity Cap PX series. Essentially about the same price as Solen, Dayton, Jantzen, etc. They seem to perform well beyond their price point. Clarity produces (3) other lines above them, I can only imagine how good those sound. I know Face is a big advocate for Clarity Caps. The thing is the Solens aren't horrible........but for about the same $$$ or even less there are better alternatives
The ESA's are a big bang for the buck. They do most of what the big boys do, with a little warmth and a little less transparency.

[Backtothe80s]

Thanks again to everyone for the feedback and warm welcome. I'll need to sit down and do price comparisons of the different caps and make a decision about what I should buy. Hopefully, I'll pull the trigger on the XO parts by this weekend.

[Paden501]

Wow Bruce. That's a heck of a setup that you've put together for yourself there. Welcome to the forum, from one PA member to another.

[F1nut]

I'll need to sit down and do price comparisons of the different caps and make a decision about what I should buy.

That's the wrong way to go about it.

[Backtothe80s]

So...Jesse...I'm afraid that what I'm hearing from you is that money should be no object, right?? Am I right? Yeah...I was afraid of that. (from post #8: "Hopefully, the bulk of my spending is behind me, but somehow I doubt it.") Thanks for the feedback/suggestions. Keep 'em coming!

[cfrizz]

Welcome to Club Polk Bruce!

[ben62670]

The ESA's are a big bang for the buck. They do most of what the big boys do, with a little warmth and a little less transparency.

What can you compare them too? I still need to check out those MOX resistors you recommended. I can't see the Wire wounds sounding as good as films.
Thanks
Ben


Ben, I've been very impressed with the Clarity Cap PX series. Essentially about the same price as Solen, Dayton, Jantzen, etc. They seem to perform well beyond their price point. Clarity produces (3) other lines above them, I can only imagine how good those sound. I know Face is a big advocate for Clarity Caps. The thing is the Solens aren't horrible........but for about the same $$$ or even less there are better alternatives

I'll add what I can to your post when I get a chance. I still owe Gavin (MIT cable shootout) a review of the MIT's.....that comes first.

H9

I have been looking and looking at those caps for a while. The only difference I see between the two lower end models is the dielectric. One set is 250v the other is 600v. Using the same materials/construction I don't see them sounding different.

[danz1906]

Welcome to the Club!

[Face]

What can you compare them too? I still need to check out those MOX resistors you recommended. I can't see the Wire wounds sounding as good as films.The MOX have a little sheen to them, but I found them more transparent than Mills.

ESA's are as much of an upgrade over Dayton as Dayton are over stock...if not more. Expect better spatial information, soundstage, dynamics, with some warmth. They're not bad in electronics either. There are applications where I'd prefer these over Clarity MR's and Duelund VSF's.

[F1nut]

I trust in Face. :D

[ben62670]

The MOX have a little sheen to them, but I found them more transparent than Mills.

ESA's are as much of an upgrade over Dayton as Dayton are over stock...if not more. Expect better spatial information, soundstage, dynamics, with some warmth. They're not bad in electronics either. There are applications where I'd prefer these over Clarity MR's and Duelund VSF's.

Thanks Bro I will have to get some.


I trust in Face. :D

Me too! I have seen way too many people talk about what is better than what, and never heard one or either of the whats;)

[Toolfan66]

I like a little face in the morning.:)


I know "I am way off topic"...

[Bugstyvy]

Welcome! I am jealous!!

[deronb1]

Welcome! Fellow RTA owner and new SDA owner as well. These guys here certainly know their stuff, but like anything else, there are varrying opinions on gear, upgrades, etc. Trust your ears and watch your wallet! :cheesygrin:

You might consider RTA 8Ts for surrounds as opposed to 11Ts. Really no need for passives in a surround application.

[drumminman]

Uhhhh, this thread's 3 years old :razz: