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What can come after Apogee Divas ?

I had started a similar thread in 2002 when I moved from Europe to the US and thought I would have to leave my Apogee Divas behind that give me so much pleasure for years (with active cross-over, run with 2 Krell KSA-300S Stereo amplifiers). But I managed to bring them over and so continued to enjoy the huge sound stage and clarity of these ribbon speakers. I listen both to classical 2-channel music, but also run a 10-foot screen 5.1 movie system and multichannel SACD with these speakers as 'mains' (and Duettas in the back). Now they show some signs of 'aging' with a slight rattlling sound when brass intruments are reproduced at higher volumes.
Where should I go from here if I cannot find help with their recalibration/repair? SoundLab U1? JM Lab Utopia Nova? Quad ESL-989? Dynaudio Confidence C4 or Evidence temptation? Martin Logan Prodigy? Wilson Audio MAXX or Watt/Puppy? Thiel CS5i or 7.2? Wegg3 Lunare 1? Krell LAT-1? What is likely to give a similar performance to Divas in a large media room and is more 'future proof'?
rogerwalk

Showing 5 responses by sogood51

sogood51
2,157 posts
 
You can repair yourself or have the work done for you if you would like to keep them.

Info. and repair link:

http://apogeespeakers.com/

Also, as mentioned above....the new Classic built by Graz is an option if you would like to by new. Info. on the Classic can be found at the above link, along with a link to the Apogee forum.

Dave
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
I'd use a hybrid on the bass panel, and tubes on Mid/Hi ribbons...should sound very good. I'm using tube monos to drive my Duetta Signatures, not biamping like you will be though, so not the same.

Congrats on the Diva...

Dave
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
Hi Peter

The Diva, and latter Apogees...Duetta Signatures, Caliper Signatures, ect... are not like many of the early models...they are more tube friendly.

The Jadis will play them without problem, it may not play them loud enough for your tastes however? My 120 watt Rogue Audio tubed monos play my Duetta Sigs without strain, up to the highest spl I care to listen at...I'm sure that would not be loud enough for some others though?... I was using Krell.

If you like your music fairly loud (85-95db range)...I'd move up to larger tube amps if I were you...VTL, ARC, Wolcott, any good tube amp (s) of your choice at around 200 watts a side should do a fine job with the Diva.

Dave
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
Well, I've had my Apogee D. Sigs for a while, (had a pair of the small hybrids first). I'm so happy with them, that I almost never go out and listen to other speakers...I did listen several times to one $16,000 pair around two years ago.

They sounded very good, maybe as good as my Apogees in some ways (they were HUGE hybrids)...they did not sound better. Of course they were at the dealer...and my speakers were at my home, not really a fair comparo.

The Diva is a better speaker than mine, I have an old Krell setting in reserve for the bass panals of a pair...I've had many thoughts of moving that way myself one day...maybe you'll go back to horns, HeHe

I hope you have a fairly large room...makes a huge difference with fullrange Apogees if you intend to milk them for all they can give.

Best of luck...enjoy

Dave
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
Jmbatkh

Funny you should mention VMPS...the VMPS RM/X was the $16,000 speaker system I listened to at the dealer.

Wonder if he has the RM60's in stock yet...interesting. BTW, my surround sound system is VMPS plus subs.

Dave
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