Apogee & Devialet

[GuillaumeB]

Thanks a lot for the link Guillaume, you have solved an old problem for me.

In the 1990's, the highlight of attending UK Hi Fi shows was listening to demonstrations of Apogee speakers, inevitably driven by massive Krell amplifiers. The Apogees had a reputation for being very difficult to drive. Best in show sound for me, but way out of my budget. Then in 2009, I saw a pair of Apogee Caliper Signatures for sale on Ebay. I could not help myself, I had to bid and succeeded.

Once I got them home, the next problem was amplification. At the time I was using very efficient speakers, Audio Note ANE's and flea powered amps. However I did have a 60w Musical Fidelity amp in the bedroom system. The Apogees are designed for bi amping/wiring and I did not have suitable bi wire cable or jumper leads, but I was able to power the drive units individually to show that they worked. Unfortunately, on being returned to the bedroom system the Musical Fidelity amp had developed a problem, it played normally for ten minutes or so and then the volume ramped up and refused to answer either the remote or the volume knob on the amp. A few weeks later the amp made a one trip to the Council rubbish dump. The Apogee reputation as an amp killer was sealed in my mind.

Disillusion and a change in financial circumstances lead to the Apogees being relegated to to the rear hallway, where they have been gathering dust ever since. A year ago, my finances having improved I bought a Devialet 120, which I later had upgraded to a 220 Pro. There was no way that I was going to risk the Devialet by trying to hook them up with the Apogees.
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Then a few months back you posted a link to the Hi Fi Advice site which had a review of Devialets driving Apogee Duettas and Divas. I dusted the Calipers off, inserted jump leads and found that the review was spot on. Devialets do indeed drive Apogees and drive them well. The Audio Notes are now the speakers gathering dust and I am thoroughly enjoying the Apogees.

For those interested, new Apogees ares still available, made to order - for a price. If you see a second hand pair for sale, then these can be very good value. Updated replacement ribbons and crossovers are available from restorers, such as Jon at Reality Audio in the UK, [url=http://www.reality-audio.com]www.reality-audio.com

You could end up with a refurbished pair that sound better than the originals.

Thanks again.

The Sofa Has Ears.

Wonderful news! 

Guillaume