Sacramento with Apogee Scintilla and class D amps

muralman1

New Member
Jul 7, 2010
479
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0
Sacramento Ca
We live in a century old house in Midtown. I am married to a marvelous woman. Our three children have grown up, two are in New York. Work-wise, I am sidelined with a spinal operation. My system consists of Apogee Scintillas powered by H2O monos and the Fire preamp. My source is a greatly improved Audio Note DAC. My cables are my own, and are darn different. No cable swap need apply. This system has to be heard to believe.
 

audioguy

WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
2,794
73
1,635
Near Atlanta, GA but not too near!
I started with Apogee Duettas. Had them for about a month, then heard the Divas and swapped them. Some of the very best audio I have ever owned. (Fried a few amps during that time!!)

WONDERFUL speaker and would love to hear them in a purpose-built room.
 

muralman1

New Member
Jul 7, 2010
479
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Sacramento Ca
The Scintillas are special, and were my introduction to Apogee speakers. I owned a pair of the big full-range panels for many years.

Lee

Hi Lee, Why did you give the FRs up? I get to listen to them in Nevada. An Apogee restorer, Rich Murry, is a good friend of mine. He is always improving the FR. His speaker paint jobs are fabulous.

I had two pairs of Scintillas. One I got refurbished by Rich. The other is stock, reribboned by Apogee in '96. I sold the gorgeous new ones, because Leo Spiegel's ribbons sound better.
 

RBFC

WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
5,158
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Albuquerque, NM
www.fightingconcepts.com
Hi Lee, Why did you give the FRs up? I get to listen to them in Nevada. An Apogee restorer, Rich Murry, is a good friend of mine. He is always improving the FR. His speaker paint jobs are fabulous.

I had two pairs of Scintillas. One I got refurbished by Rich. The other is stock, reribboned by Apogee in '96. I sold the gorgeous new ones, because Leo Spiegel's ribbons sound better.

The bass was not as good as the Diva, sounding fatter and less realistic. Both Leo Spiegel and Jason Bloom told me this in separate conversations, and it was confirmed to me via many comparative listening sessions. My room at the time was well-treated with ASC tube traps in a configuration approved by Jason. Via the FRs, cellos and basses lacked the wooden component to their unique sounds. Also, the deepest bass was less than impressive. The Apogee Grand corrected this shortcoming by pairing a dynamic subwoofer with its large panels. I am occasionally regretful that I sold the FRs, but things change, don't they.

Lee
 

RBFC

WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
5,158
46
1,225
Albuquerque, NM
www.fightingconcepts.com
I was using 4 Krell monoblocks, plenty of current, etc. To my ears, they just didn't have enough bottom end slam to be truly full-range. I didn't feel that the bass was as well-controlled as better dynamic systems. Who knows? It could have been my room or other effect.

Lee
 

muralman1

New Member
Jul 7, 2010
479
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Sacramento Ca
Of course, what you are saying is total heresy to FR owner's ears. My Scintillas generate a more usable bass than FR's I have listened to. It takes a powerful amp, like mine, to control it, though. That is heresy to all but a half dozen Apogee owners.
 

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