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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
hifipf
38 posts
 
I have a defy 7 mk3. Is there a chance I would get good results using this amp only? I really do not want to mess around with biamping. I do not own a Dax.If not, are there any tube amps with reasonable output tube numbers that would drive these speakers? I am being told that I need a Krell, Perraux,Threshold etc. to make these speakers sound right.
Thanks,
Peter
tpsonic
1,092 posts
 
Pass,Gryphon or possibly a Kraft/Symphonic line or Lamm.
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
hifipf
38 posts
 
I will stick with tubes. Hi Seirra will be shipping the Divas to me in May. I will move out the Avantgarde Trios and start a new adventure. I have not had a panel scince my Sound Lab A1 and A2 days. Too many problems made me sell and go to the horns. I am hoping that a dated technology such as the Divas can stand the test of time. Planers are unique in that they can hang with the best, the old quads prove that .. Peter
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
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