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Scottkit LK 48 with Polk Audio SDA 2A

Lauren H

Lauren H

New Member
Hello,

I recently purchased a Scottkit LK 48 and I wanted to make sure I can use it with my Polk SDA 2A's. I am pretty sure I can but would there be any downfalls?



Thanks!
 
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To use the SDA 2A's with the interconnect, the amp must be common ground for the two channels. A simple check with the unit off is to use your Multi meter and check to continuity between the two black (-) speaker posts. Zero ohms and you are good to go.
 
Lauren H said:
Hello,

I recently purchased a Scottkit LK 48 and I wanted to make sure I can use it with my Polk SDA 2A's. I am pretty sure I can but would there be any downfalls?



Thanks!
Click to expand...

Do as eickmewg suggests. However, even if it is common ground your tube integrated does not have enough juice to properly drive the SDA's.
 
Earlier in the year I bought an Elekit 8200 kit to try a single-ended tube amp. In ultralinear connection it puts out about 8 wpc. This amp drives my Polk SRS SDA 2.3's just fine. Folks generally say that Polk's need a lot of power, but for me the Elekit sounds as good as my Latino VTA ST 120 that puts out 52 more wpc than the Elekit. Maybe the Scottkit LK 48 will work just fine for your room and listening tastes. Give it a try.
 
eickmewg said:
Earlier in the year I bought an Elekit 8200 kit to try a single-ended tube amp. In ultralinear connection it puts out about 8 wpc. This amp drives my Polk SRS SDA 2.3's just fine. Folks generally say that Polk's need a lot of power, but for me the Elekit sounds as good as my Latino VTA ST 120 that puts out 52 more wpc than the Elekit. Maybe the Scottkit LK 48 will work just fine for your room and listening tastes. Give it a try.
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I don't know about that. I ran some 1C's in ultralinear on a Manley Stringray at 40wpc and that really wasn't enough. They sounded much better on a 75wpc ultra rare Spanish made Manley 75/75. My friend Chuck (RIP) had a pair of 100wpc Manley mono blocks that made his pair of 1.2's sing beautiful music.
 
Thanks a bunch for the info guys. I think the amp will power the SDAs as it has a minimum of 10wpc and the amp should push 20. Is this not the case? Trying to figure out all the odds and ends of these speakers.
 
I am new here (like an hour ago new here) and I can see there is a lot of knowledgable and experienced help. I have been away from Stereo / Hi Fi for several years, but I am trying to get back in. I am also looking at a pair of Polk Audio SD-2 speakers for under $100.00. They appear to be the ones that are described in Dswankey's spec sheet posted. Currently, I am using 2 Technics SE-9060 and 1 SU-9070 amps. I am unaware if these are common ground. Based on what eickmewg suggest a simple ohms test will determine common ground or not. 66271238_2700684826631494_7027157105798807552_n.jpg I am using 2 Technics SB-A71 and 2 Technics SB-A35 speakers and I feel they are loud but not crisp and clean. Your advice and suggestions are appreciated. Forgive me if this post and pictures do not appear correct. I am also new to forums. Thanks, Rick
 
Rick Morris said:
I am new here (like an hour ago new here)..... I am also looking at a pair of Polk Audio SD-2 speakers for under $100.00..... Currently, I am using 2 Technics SE-9060 and 1 SU-9070 amps. I am unaware if these are common ground. ..... Your advice and suggestions are appreciated.. Thanks, Rick
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Welcome aboard Rick!!! looking at the picture you posted those appear to be SDA-2A's. If in proper working condition along with the original interconnects the price you mention would be great.

The Technics SE-9060 mono power amps looks pretty robust and I don't think you would have any issue with them. If you have access to a mulitmeter do as @eickmewg suggested and you should have your answer.





66271238_2700684826631494_7027157105798807552_n.jpg
 
Dswankey said:
^ @F1nut

Not questioning you, however I'm curious as to why is that mono amps can't be used?
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Because of the SDA circuit design no SDA speaker can be driven with non-common ground amplifiers of which mono blocks certainly are. The exception is the 4th and 5th generation SDA with the pin/blade cable. They can use the Polk AI-1 or Dreadnought isolation transformer, which allows the use of any type of non-common ground amp.

Using a non-common ground amp or mono blocks will result in very bad juju.
 
F1nut said:
Because of the SDA circuit design no SDA speaker can be driven with non-common ground amplifiers of which mono blocks certainly are.
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I knew about the non-common ground I didn't know that Mono blocks were considered as such.
 
Dswankey said:
I never really understood what a "common ground" entailed so thanks for the clarification and that is why folks such as yourselves are much appreciated
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Ah, ok. Basically, it means the negative outputs are tied together internally creating a common ground. True dual mono amplifiers and mono blocks are non-common ground by default. A dual mono amplifier which shares a common ground isn't really a dual mono amplifier.

To complicate matters, some mono block amplifiers can be strapped by running a connection between the negative outputs. However, that should never be done without consulting the manufacturer first. If they say it's possible you are still better off using one of the isolation transformers as tying the negative outputs together will raise the noise floor.
 
Dswankey said:
Welcome aboard Rick!!! looking at the picture you posted those appear to be SDA-2A's. If in proper working condition along with the original interconnects the price you mention would be great.

The Technics SE-9060 mono power amps looks pretty robust and I don't think you would have any issue with them. If you have access to a mulitmeter do as @eickmewg suggested and you should have your answer.





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Thanks for the response. It appears that this raised a few questions that I never thought of.
 
F1nut said:
Ah, ok. Basically, it means the negative outputs are tied together internally creating a common ground. True dual mono amplifiers and mono blocks are non-common ground by default. A dual mono amplifier which shares a common ground isn't really a dual mono amplifier.

To complicate matters, some mono block amplifiers can be strapped by running a connection between the negative outputs. However, that should never be done without consulting the manufacturer first. If they say it's possible you are still better off using one of the isolation transformers as tying the negative outputs together will raise the noise floor.
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F1nut, I am glad you jumped in here. I have read through several posts and your experience and knowledge is overwhelming to me. I do have a thought or a question. The SE-9060 Amps can be switched from mono to stereo on the back of each amp. This is required when the amps are used in series. They also have grounding lugs to connect each amp to a common ground. Would this allow the use of the SDA-2As? I have not purchased the speakers yet. If I can use them correctly and take advantage of the quaility I am inclined to buy them with the help here.
 
Looking at pics of the rear panel I'm not seeing a grounding lug. I'm not even sure why it would.

Anyway, in stereo mode with the amp unplugged use an ohm meter between the negative outputs. If no resistance, it's not common ground.
 
F1nut said:
Looking at pics of the rear panel I'm not seeing a grounding lug. I'm not even sure why it would.

Anyway, in stereo mode with the amp unplugged use an ohm meter between the negative outputs. If no resistance, it's not common ground.
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You are correct. Its the 9070 Amps that have the grounding lugs. I thought it was the 9060. photo attached. 058.JPG
 
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