Mods to Apogee Scintillas?

Hmm, I have always been more than a little curious about Apogees, but have not heard a pair in at least 10 years.

The opportunity to have a good, inexpensive amp to drive them without melting or blowing up entices me. Thanks for the information guys! From the Apogee discussion forums, there seems to also be a consensus that Class D amps, such as the recent Bel Canto products are also adept at driving the speakers. In the short term, the only amp I would have on hand to drive them would be an NAD 2600A, but I am not convinced I should chance it with that amp. It drove the pants off a pair of Acoustats 15 years ago for a long time with no problems, but I am a bit leery to try it with the Apogees.

Now, I guess I have to contact the guy who has the speakers. I'm sure my wife will be thrilled to have another pair of speakers in the house. Especially, ones this large.

Oh, and although I have looked at the website, can anyone provide an idiot's guide to the Apogee ribbons. Which models are good, and which are too be avoided. Also, does the sound tend to natural, clinical, or warm?

Thanks very much,
Joe

Joe

A link to all Apogee models http://www.apogeespeakers.com/mainpage.htm

I would stay with one of the full range ribbon models..the Stage's are the smallest full ribbon model but are not really full range without their subs.

IMO, the key to buying the correct model is you listeneng room. I would not stick the huge models in a small room or the small models in a huge room. All have great bass responce and image qualities when setup properly.

For instance: My Duetta Sig's over-load my 12'X 17' living room due to placement problems...My Centaur Miners sound great in that room.

My D. Sig's sound great in my 25'X 23' dedicated room and I don't even bother to use my sub's for music as their responce is strong to 27hz. I think I could move up the line to the Diva or Scintillas in this new room without overload and would love to give it a try in the future.

As to the sound of the different models, I have not been lucky enough to hear them all. There is a list somewere on the Apogee forum put together by the members that kind of ranks the different models (some members have heard almost all).

My Duetta Sig's: Lush with great inner detail (will pick apart poorly mixed recordings). Vocals are to die for (Krell Ksa-250 amp/Audioprism Mantissa Tube pre-amp). Bass is strong (the kind you can feel). Highs have correct amount of shimmer and sparkel with the only brightness comming from bright recordings. (mostly old rock) but not ALL old rock..they will buggie on the good old stuff!

Hope this helps a little

Dave

The Scintilla 1 ohm stands alone. It has benefited the most through the use of new ICE amps. Bel Canto can't do Scintillas. t least one member I know of has sold his Evo Gen II amps in favor of H2O amps.

Divas, Duettas, and Calipers are the other big Apogees. I know I left out the Full Range. It is a special case, and is the rarest.

The Kapton backed ribbon speakers have a more in your face presetation. At 4 ohms, they are relatively easy to power. All three sound splendid, loosing just that last bit of resolution the Scintilla affords. Their bass panels go deep, and are very fast, allowing wickedly quick articulation of deep bass notes.

Joe, which Apogee speakers are you looking at? Bob

Are any of you on the East Coast?

I could probably give a listen to the pair this gentleman has(forget which), as he has an absolute warehouse full of great equipment. As he was running down expensive stuff, he mentioned that he has a tremendous pair of Apogees in cherry that he cannot "give away" for $1500. He said no one is interested, to which I said, I might...

The reason I have always been curious is that once I heard the new Centaurs and was totally blown away. Not sure why I didn't buy them, as they were a pretty low cost speaker. People say the "real" Apogees are even better.

This Graz fellow who makes replacement ribbons seems to produce a product far superior to the original.