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ADS Driver roll call

An ADS speaker should NEVER be used with any other drivers. It kinda defeats the whole process. Unless you would want to go to the trouble of finding and replacing the mids and highs with the real thing, I wouldn't bother with the 1590s. Why would anyone do such a blasmephous thing to a pair of the world's most perfect speakers?
 
Cspiegs said:
Hello. I recently acquired a pair of L1290's and one of the mid drivers has a little distortion. Although I only hear it with about 25% of the music I listen to (classical and jazz), I should address it. As I haven't found the exact replacement (206-0211) yet on eBay, can I replace it with another model? Or perhaps I should just pack up both pairs of mids and tweeters and send them to Richard So for refurbishing?

Also (although this might not be the best post for this question) what exactly are the sonic differences between the L1290 series 1 and series 2? If I had the opportunity to get a pair of L1590's, should I do that (my current listening room is 12' x 15' positioned widthwise)? I know the L1590's have a little bit more bass from the larger woofers but would it be overpowering in my room (and I have heard that the narrower cabinet of the L1290's makes a more focused sound field)? And I am using a Mirage 15" down-firing sub as well. And lastly I should mention that the tweeters and mid-range drivers on the L1590's were replaced with non ADS drivers (Vifa or Hi-Vi).
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If you purchase on E-bay you are getting a 30+ year old drivers with an unknown history. If you send yours to Richard So, you will receive back essentially new drivers, completely rebuilt with fresh, clean, supple domes ready for another 30 years. Personally I was shocked at how good the new domes looked, especially compared with the old ones. The originals had really become stiff and dirty. His prices are reasonable, and I think you are getting better value sending your drives to be rebuilt.

As an owner of 1590II and 1530's which I dearly love, you can't go wrong with either. I know there are those who prefer the 12xx series, which are also excellent, but I like the overall sound of my 15xx speakers. From what I understand, the Series II had much higher power handling capabilities due to a improved woofer and voice coil system. There may be other differences, possibly having to do with the ADS built in PA-1 amplifiers. I did extensive A/B comparisons comparing the 1530 and 1590II and to my ear the 1530s are better by the smallest of margins. It is tough to describe but they have more presence. Either is a stellar choice! I think the next big step up would be to bi-amp either series of the ADS. This can be done with either with the PA-1 amps or the C2000 crossover unit. Both options tend to be rare and expensive. Many of us believe that the ADS magic is largely from the mids and (lesser extent) the tweeters. All bets are off if the 1590II don't have the original drivers. I would pass unless the plan was to buy & refurbish some replacement ADS drivers, and get rid of the foreign invaders!
 
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JosephH said:
If you purchase on E-bay you are getting a 30+ year old drivers with an unknown history. If you send yours to Richard So, you will receive back essentially new drivers, completely rebuilt with fresh, clean, supple domes ready for another 30 years. Personally I was shocked at how good the new domes looked, especially compared with the old ones. The originals had really become stiff and dirty. His prices are reasonable, and I think you are getting better value sending your drives to be rebuilt.

As an owner of 1590II and 1530's which I dearly love, you can't go wrong with either. I know there are those who prefer the 12xx series, which are also excellent, but I like the overall sound of my 15xx speakers. From what I understand, the Series II had much higher power handling capabilities due to a improved woofer and voice coil system. There may be other differences, possibly having to do with the ADS built in PA-1 amplifiers. I did extensive A/B comparisons comparing the 1530 and 1590II and to my ear the 1530s are better by the smallest of margins. It is tough to describe but they have more presence. Either is a stellar choice! I think the next big step up would be to bi-amp either series of the ADS. This can be done with either with the PA-1 amps or the C2000 crossover unit. Both options tend to be rare and expensive. Many of us believe that the ADS magic is largely from the mids and (lesser extent) the tweeters. All bets are off if the 1590II don't have the original drivers. I would pass unless the plan was to buy & refurbish some replacement ADS drivers, and get rid of the foreign invaders!
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I had a pair of 1530's over 30 years ago and remember how good they sounded (probably the best sounding speaker I have ever listen to). The 90's series maybe slightly less in sonic attributes, but obviously it's footprint makes for better placement in my 12 by 15 room. And my subwoofer does makeup for the difference at the lower end.

My game plan would have been to purchase and use the 1590's (assuming they had the original drivers) for my front speakers and use my 1290's in the rear (my Yamaha preamp has digital sound field surround modes that emulate various concert Halls jazz clubs churches and other music venues). Currently I have my old pair of Wharfedale Rubiance tower speakers in the rear. I still may go this way assuming I can get the 1590's really cheap and have Richard So set me up with the original drivers.

Of course, I could just save some money and have Richard refurbish my 1290s and be done with it (then I have more money for records).
 
I wanted to let everyone know I am liquidating most of my a/d/s drivers. I have over 100. If anyone needs any let me know. If this is not the place to do it also advise me! Thx
 
fastang05 said:
I wanted to let everyone know I am liquidating most of my a/d/s drivers. I have over 100. If anyone needs any let me know. If this is not the place to do it also advise me! Thx
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The proper place would be in Barter Town. You need to be a subscriber to post ads and see the postings. There, you can list what you have and prices. Or people interested, can PM you.
 
fastang05 said:
I wanted to let everyone know I am liquidating most of my a/d/s drivers. I have over 100. If anyone needs any let me know. If this is not the place to do it also advise me! Thx
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Hi, Im having a issue sorting out a PB1500 woofer issue. I sent the originals to R So to rebuild in a S10 build thinking it would deliver tighter base. I have been informed by Monty Ross that the original drivers were 4 ohm and Mr So rebuilds are 6ohm cutting down the performance level from 100 watts per speaker to around 65watts. Also the stiffness of the cone is intended not for a sealed inclosure. I did this because someone here on K recommended I do so. Oh well, Now the tricky part is the PB1500 has 4 diferent woofer numbers, I have one of these numbers which is the 1st number 206-0335 however it measures 6 ohms resistance. So with the cabinet being a 4 ohm system I at a loss. I do not know what the other numbers measure in resistance. On the 1992 parts list it goes as written: 206-0335, 0327, 0328, 0329. So I guess with all your drivers any luck here?
 
I'd have to look at the schematic, but it's possible the woofers are wired in parallel to the amp which would result in a 3 ohm (DCR) load... keeping in mind DCR is generally a bit lower than nominal impedance, that could mean that your woofer measuring 6 ohms DCR is actually a nominal 8 ohm driver. For there to be power loss, the originals would have had to be lower impedance, meaning 4 ohm nominal/2 ohm nominal load to the amp if wired in parallel. If nothing else, the amp won't be quite as stressed if you end up with a slightly higher impedance load. Whether the power difference is audible is another issue with other factors like room size, placement, type of material you listen to etc.

Is he using a car audio driver to replace the originals? The vast majority of ADS home systems were sealed enclosure, so it's unusual to run into a driver in that family that wasn't designed for sealed enclosure use, though certainly might be designed for different volume air space.

Just ask Richard, he'll be able to clarify.

John
 
Hello guys. I had stumbled into a pair of L620's awhile back that are missing the tweeters. Can one of the A/D/S Guru's tell me what tweeter model came in a pair of the early version 620's? The serial number is 10596-1 (I know for sure that one is accurate)..... the other one is in the 10xxx-1 range.
They have the 206-0328 woofers in them. and I read earlier in this thread, post #39, member Bigstereo wrote his has the 206-0100 but his serial numbers are much higher then mine.
I hope they use the 206-0100 because I have a pair of those that have been freshly rebuilt by Mr. So. They are out of a pair of beat up L420's.... the cabs are destroyed.
I also have a functioning pair of the 206-0112. I just want to bring them back to original so any info would be helpful. If I missed this information somewhere I apologize.
Many Many Thanks
 
Awesome, Thank you Blue Shadow. I jsut posted some pics of them in the "speakers with questionable upgrades" thread.
Thanks again. cant wait to get started
 
L980 mid and tweeter reference pics, and original cost Schedule scans.
I'm currently restoring this set of L980s. Came with original boxes and paperwork.

Cheers, Glenn
IMG_2404.jpg IMG_2413.jpg Mid wire connection.jpg IMG_5426.jpg IMG_5446.jpg ADS Accessory Cost Schedule CV.jpg ADS Accessory Cost Schedule P.2.jpg ADS Accessory Cost Schedule P.3.jpg
 

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Hi Guys. Where would I find the A/D/S database that is referenced earlier in this old thread? I found a link to a "sportsbill"??? but it doesnt seem to work anymore.
If I have missed something obvious, I apologize.
Thank you
 
The database was referenced by members Njord Noatun and Jdurbin1... way back in posts #'s 25 and 26.....on page 2. But it was in 2008. Maybe it doesnt exist anymore.
Thanks again
 
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