Used SBL's in Vietnam

Posted by: JohnMak on 25 February 2004

I have been offered a used pair of SBL's here in Vietnam (Black unfortunately) for USD1,000.
The serial number is 89090 - which I cannot find listed??

Obviously the mastic gasket/seal is broken and needs redoing. I can remember seeing somewhere on this forum, instructions on how to do it but now I cannot find it.

Can anyone comment on wether this is good value (the same guy also has a pair of Active ATC SCM50's on their stands for sale at USD5,000)

He has indicated I can have the SBL's down after the weekend for a weeks trial (he's not so keen to let me bring the ATC's down here)but this is going to be difficult without the gaskets in place I guess.

Can anyone comment re the value, the strange serial numbers and where I could find the re-sealing instructions.

Many thanks.
Posted on: 25 February 2004 by --duncan--
Can't advise you on the s/n - contact Salisbury?

Set up guide is here

Although it's a faff you should seal them even for your trial. They sound very different with an imperfect seal.

Regarding price, do you know if they have the mark II mid-bass driver? If they do it and if they are in good condition that would be a good price from a UK dealer. You might factor in the cost of a new pair of tweeters if the've had a hard life. There can't be many SBLs in Vietnam (correct me if I'm wrong!) so it's hard to judge the market. If you like the sound they make, you'll think they are great value. Black is the approved flat-earth finish of course!

duncan

Email: djcritchley at hotmail.com
Posted on: 25 February 2004 by JohnMak
Hi djc,
Many thanks for the feedback.
I tried to download the setup instructions but my computer tells me the "URL has been filtered" and it won't let me download.
Would it be possible to email me direct at my personal email johnmcmillan2000@hotmail.com ???

I can't believe how good these speakers are. I'm sitting here playing heaps of CD's. The new Steely Dan is awesome. Even my girlfriend came through and couldn't believe the difference.
And they're not even set up properly .... and playing through my whimpy Sony 900ES DVD player and home theater amp. I'm gobsmackedd.
Posted on: 25 February 2004 by Martin D
Oh Dear
Sorry about this - i've just posted the same information on the thread next door!
Martin
Posted on: 25 February 2004 by blythe
quote:
Originally posted by JohnMak:
I have been offered a used pair of SBL's here in Vietnam (Black unfortunately) for USD1,000.
The serial number is 89090 - which I cannot find listed??

89090 would make them 1993 according to the Naim history page..... The first "0" is ommitted. Look at 089090

Computers are supposed to work on 1's and 0's - in other words "Yes" or "No" - why does mine frequently say "Maybe"?......
Posted on: 26 February 2004 by JohnMak
Help still needed please.
Does anyone have the set-up intsructions and re gasketting guide for Naim SBL's in a format they could email to me at my personal email address - johnmcmillan2000@hotmail.com.

I can't get the one on this forum to download???
Posted on: 26 February 2004 by Jay
Just sent it to you John.

Jay
Posted on: 26 February 2004 by Jay
It bounced back John.
Posted on: 26 February 2004 by JohnMak
HI Kay,
Many thanks for the try and apologies ... maybe I've got a gremlin in my PC.
If it's not too much trouble Jay can I ask that you send it to a friend of mine - mail@tonynash.com

I've called him to warn him that it may arrive.
Many thanks Jay and again - apologies for the inconvenience .... until I can sort this computer problem.

Cheers,
Posted on: 26 February 2004 by JohnMak
Whoops ... sorry for the typo in the previous email Jay.
John McMillan
Posted on: 26 February 2004 by Jay
quote:
Originally posted by JohnMak:
Whoops ... sorry for the typo in the previous email Jay.
John McMillan


No problem Big Grin

I've sent it through now...I've got a pair of SBL's too and my dealer set them up so I'll need the instructions too some day!

Jay
Posted on: 27 February 2004 by JohnMak
Hi Jay,
Many thanks for your kind assistance.
I'm pretty sure I'm going to keep these little beasties .... but I think I'll still see about getting them re-veneered in a natural wood.
The dealer who is selling them is quite happy for me to keep them until I can re-gasket them and give them a good run ..... that is a good thing about using the same dealer for the whole 9 years I've been in Vietnam.

He also has a pair of Black Laquered Active ATC SCM's 50's he says I'm welcome to try for a month as he needds the storage space ... God that's tempting but he wants USD5,000 for them.

Cheers and thansk again for your assistance Jay.
Posted on: 27 February 2004 by Rico
Careful John, before you know it you'll be sliding down the slippery slope and buying a Naim system to go up front of the SBL's. Cool

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio
Posted on: 27 February 2004 by Tuan
quote:
Originally posted by JohnMak:
Hi Jay,
Many thanks for your kind assistance.
I'm pretty sure I'm going to keep these little beasties .... but I think I'll still see about getting them re-veneered in a natural wood.
The dealer who is selling them is quite happy for me to keep them until I can re-gasket them and give them a good run ..... that is a good thing about using the same dealer for the whole 9 years I've been in Vietnam.

He also has a pair of Black Laquered Active ATC SCM's 50's he says I'm welcome to try for a month as he needds the storage space ... God that's tempting but he wants USD5,000 for them.

Cheers and thansk again for your assistance Jay.

Vietnames are very good with woodwork. You may ask the locals to find out who can do the finish for you at a fraction of the cost. As long as you tell them what you want and make sure that they understand. You may find this proposed approach work well. Tuan.
Posted on: 27 February 2004 by garyi
John I just tried to send you the set up instructions as requested.

Unfortunatly you are using Hotmail, which is without doubt the worse piece of email software on the planet and it was promptly rejected, no doubt because it weighed more the 3k and did not include any spam.

I suggest if you want the instructions you PM a valid email addy.

Cheers

Gary
Posted on: 27 February 2004 by JohnMak
Hi garyi,
You are right .... I was using Hotmail (I also don't care for Uncle Bill's company)

Garyi, I have just set up a Yahoo account at johnmak20002000@yahoo.com It is brand new so has 4 meg available. Can I ask you to tyr that address for me please and apologies for this inconvenience.

Many thanks,
John McMillan
Posted on: 27 February 2004 by JohnMak
It's too late Rico, I'm already slipping and sliding. I tried real hard not to get sucked into this though .. been and done it years ago with Linn.

Now rrying to decide between:
1. A pair of serial no 36xxxx vintage 135's for SGD3,000 without preamp. (The the owner is considering selling his S/N 150xxxx series NAC52 + S'cap ..... don't know how much he'll want for all that yet)

or

The new 202/200 system for around SGD6,500

CDP's ???? the CDX2 looks the go but yeeouch, what a price.