Seems like when I did my Diva's about 4 years ago, I spend about $4k, not counting painting the shells.

mrvordo February 04, 2021 18:39

Well, you can spend more, new steel frames, custom shells, etc., but that might cover ribbon replacement. I'm not up on current prices. Go to http://www.apogeeacoustics.com/ to see ribbon prices and talk to Bill about his fee.

mrvordo February 04, 2021 18:37

Hi Jim,
Just saw your question. The stands are my design that I had custom made. I just contacted a machine shop and had them made from 1" aluminum bars. I love the Diva's and know you probably do as well.
Good listening,
Mike

mrvordo March 21, 2018 18:39

Just updated some pics after I had the Graham arm upgraded to a Phantom III Supreme.

mrvordo October 02, 2017 21:02

Just edited and updated my system. A few cable changes mainly.

mrvordo August 14, 2016 18:59

System edited: Couple of new upgrades. I upgraded my Audio Tekne phono cable with a Transparent Audio Gen 5 phono cable, and had a pair of custom stands made for my Diva's from 1x2" aluminum. Both were nice improvements.

mrvordo March 01, 2015 19:10

Hi Audiolabyrinth,

I do have the 750Mcx's and doubt I will ever part with them. They are amazing! Huge difference from the FPB600.

Best,
Mike

mrvordo December 08, 2014 22:53

System edited: Dedicated lines and additional Power Isolator

mrvordo November 17, 2014 13:54

Like i said, I did the PS and the MVSS at once so I couldn't compare, but the bearing and MVSS should make for a huge improvement on their own.

Best,
Mike

mrvordo August 02, 2014 00:41

You pretty much have to send the whole table, with the exception of the loose parts like springs. They do drill the base, but my base is not granite. Talk to Jacques about it and see what they do with the granite bases. Since it's just a cup holding the silicon fluid, I would think tape or glue would be ok. The arms on the sub platter do have to be drilled, and the platter is needed for the fine tuning of the bearing. You may be able to send just the platter and sub platter and install the cups yourself. Again email Jacques. In my experience he was most helpful and usually very quick to respond.

mrvordo July 25, 2014 12:43

Hi Gmorris,

Do you have the Turbo mkII? I had the original Turbo and upgraded to the mkII. Since it was done at the same time as the MVSS, it's hard to say how much difference it made by itself, but I had previously done the bearing, and the speed stability did seem much improved with the mk II Turbo.

mrvordo July 25, 2014 12:36

Thanks for the nice words. I'm extremely happy with my system now.

The upgrade total was approximately $2000, about $450 bearing, $800 MVSS, $750 Turbo II PS. This does not include shipping to and from Oracle. And is an approximate since I can't locate my invoice at the moment.

The three major/most noticeable improvements were smoother and quieter background, much better speed stability, and tremendous impact of drums, bass, and leading edge of notes. None of these were subtle improvements, especially the impact of the drums. Compared to the mkV, drums would sound like cardboard. They didn't really, but relatively speaking there was that much of an improvement.

There was also better separation of instruments and voices, with more nuance and fine detail.

If you have a mkV, or even earlier, this is an upgrade well worth the money in my opinion.

Good listening,
Mike

mrvordo July 23, 2014 13:41

System edited: Couldn't wait any longer and got two PLMM2x power cords for the 750Mcx amps. The stock cords were really strangling the amps. Although they sounded good, they now sound great.

mrvordo July 14, 2014 13:14

The mkVI update to my Oracle mkV turntable is continuing to amaze me. The improvements across the board and especially of impact and slam are leaps and bounds beyond the mkV. Speed stability is improved, giving piano a much more realistic presentation.

The mkV was a really good table, but the mkVI is a great table. If you have an earlier version, I would highly recommend that you look into an update. These difference is NOT subtle.

mrvordo July 06, 2014 19:47

System edited: New pictures added of the Krell 750Mcx's. Now I need to get a couple of Transparent power cords for them, but my amp search is over. Speakers and pre are done, and with the upgrade of the Oracle to mk VI, the turntable is done. I will possibly upgrade the Graham 2.0 arm at some point, but I'm not in any hurry about the arm. After 45 years I think I might be finalizing my system. At least until I get into computer audio with Hi-Rez files. But again, I'm not in a hurry for that since I'll have to be convinced that the HRA will be as enjoyable as vinyl.

mrvordo June 15, 2014 17:14

Well, I did it. I finally found a pair of Krell 750mcx mono amps, and happen to be in a situation where I could purchase them. I'll get pictures up as soon as I sell my 600c and have it out of the way. For now it is sitting in between the two 750's. I am definitely done as far as amps go.

I'm am having my Oracle Delphi mk V upgraded to a mk VI, and that will probably be it for my turntable. I do want to upgrade my Graham arm, and now that he is coming out with a new one, I will probably try to find a used Phantom II Supreme.

I also now need a couple of power cords for the mono's, but that's about it until I get into computer audio. I'm waiting on that to settle down, and also get as good as vinyl before jumping in.

So speakers, amps, pre amp, and turntable are basically, if not entirely done. I hope this IS it.

mrvordo May 23, 2014 13:23

Hi Mjcmt and Glenfihi, it definitely does produce a wall of sound, even way beyond the sides of the speakers, and I am really enjoying it to it's fullest now.

mrvordo April 02, 2014 21:35

More headroom and more power for the power hungry Apogee's. They are really hard to find though, so who knows if or when I will find one.

mrvordo April 02, 2014 21:20

System edited: Just a couple of updates. I replaced my FPB600 with an FPB600C so that I could run CAST between the 202 pre and the amp. While I eventually want to find a 700CX or a pair of 750cx mono's, this was a worthwhile upgrade.

mrvordo March 16, 2014 19:13

Yes I did upgrade the stock passives, and I'm not using a DAX. Upgrading the stock caps with better caps was a jaw dropping improvement.

Do you have a pair of Apogees?

mrvordo March 02, 2014 19:35

System edited: Just a few changes. Added a PLUMM2 interconnect between my phono and pre, and moved the PLUMM to between the SACD player and the pre. Swapped the Krell FPB600 for a Krell FPB600C so that I can run CAST between the pre and amp. Ultimately I want a Krell 700CX, but they are really hard to find. I've changed out all the Krell cables for Transparent, except for Krell CAST for now.

mrvordo March 02, 2014 19:05

System edited: I've added a pair of Transparent interconnects and several Transparent power cords. Each of these has add to the improvement of the over all sound.

mrvordo January 17, 2014 13:59

System edited: Just some updated photos showing some changes.

mrvordo November 10, 2013 21:04

Hi G,

The bearing made a big difference and is definitely worth the money. It was probably about as much of an upgrade as going from my old upgraded mkIII / mkIV, as going to my mkV. I am probably going to send the table in this spring to have the MVSS installed. The mkV bearing had an oil leak problem, so I only sent it for upgrade last spring. I didn't want to be without it too long then, but after hearing the difference, I am ready to add the micro vibration system too.

What do you have your table sitting on?

Best,
Mike

mrvordo November 05, 2013 13:34

System edited: New pre-amp gives me a much more holographic sounding system, and some slight tweeling with some BDR Cones and Pucks, have moved my system up a level.

mrvordo October 19, 2013 18:02

System edited: Recently I've been investigating power cords and outlets. I've replaced my PS Audio outlets with Wattgate 381 Gold (amp) and Silver (sources) outlets. This was for me a surprisingly huge difference on my amp, but not as much on the source outlet. The source units do connect to a Transparent Power Isolator which is plugged into the Silver outlet, so maybe that is why there wasn't as big of an improvement with the Wattgate added to the dedicated source line. I've also relaced a couple of power cords with Transparent cords, which made a significant improvement with each of those. I've also updated my rack from an old Target rack to a new Solid Steel 5.5 rack. This did actually make a small but easily noticeable improvement in soundstage width and depth, and created a blacker background. The small changes that I have made in the past year or so have really improved my system across the board. I used to be a nonbeliever when it cam to power cords and outlets, but not any more. And that the rack made a noticeable improvement really surprised me.

mrvordo September 24, 2013 21:47

Yes, good power is always necessary. Even before I had the Premier I had a P300, and always a dedicated line for the amp and another dedicated line for the power conditioner with the front end components.
Diva is a great album, and I wish it hadn't taken so long for me to realize that. Right now I feel like I have a completely new record collection. Every album I put on is a great new discovery. Your system must be doing something right if even genres of music you don't care for keep you entertained.

mrvordo August 07, 2013 21:54

System edited: I'm sitting and listening to Annie Lennox's "Diva" lp by Simply Vinyl and smiling. This is an album that I have always wanted to really like, but never have. Annie Lennox has always impressed me, but for some reason this album had always left me feeling that something was missing and that it was boring. Boring is not something I usually associate with Annie, but this one has always disappointed until now. The difference? The Watt Gate gold outlet and the Transparent PC's. While I've had a system for over 40 years, I couldn't believe that power cords could possibly make much if any difference. Last fall I finally broke down and installed a PS Audio Power Port. Bad move. It did make my amp sound better. So since that made a difference, I decided to try a power cord. I found a great deal on a Transparent PLMM2 and hooked it up to my amp. More improvement. The PC was shorter than my old original cord, so I had to start using a different outlet on my dedicated amp line, so I found the Watt Gate outlet, and on the dealer's recommendation got the gold rather than the rhodium. MORE improvement, maybe as much as the PC. Then I added a lesser Transparent PC to my Premier Power conditioner. While not as much, still more improvement. So I've been enjoying the heck out of my system lately and tonight just happen to think about the "Diva" lp and put it on. Yeah, I'm happy now. This IS a great album. I just never could hear it properly before. If you think power cords can't make a difference, you are really missing out on a lot of great music. Don't be as pigheaded as I was, try one with a good outlet too, and quit missing out.

mrvordo August 05, 2013 22:19

System edited: I didn't think power cords and outlets could make a difference until I finally tried a PS Audio Power Port for my amp. It did improve things so that made me figure that power cords would have an effect as well. I next tried a Transparent PLMM2 for my amp and was amazed at the difference. Because the used cord I got was slightly shorter than the original one, it was better to plug it into the second outlet on my dedicated line. This outlet didn't have a Power Port, but did have a Hubble hospital grade outlet. The Hubble did not sound as good as the Power Port, so I decided to try the Wattgate 381 in place of the Hubble. It's amazingly better that the Power Port. I then replaced the PS Statement PC between the wall and my PPP with a Transparent PLS1, for even better sound. Now I want to install Transparent PC's on everything in my system. It never ends, does it?

mrvordo July 23, 2013 01:57

System edited: I guess I might need to move this to another category, since it doesn't really look like I'm done. I replaced a Hubble Hospital grade outlet with a PS Audio Power Port for my amp, and unfortunately heard a significant, especially for the money, difference. I was actually disappointed because that meant to me that if the outlet could make an improvement, then power cords could. Something I didn't really think could make much of a difference until now. I then ran across a great price on a used Transparent PC and hooked it up. The very first couple of notes bowled me over. I just wasn't ready for the difference. I'm now looking into getting a PC for my pre. I'll let you know what happens. Oh, and I did upgrade the bearing in my TT with Oracle's new mkVI bearing. That's quite an improvement as well.

mrvordo July 07, 2013 19:06

Hey Glen,

You are right that I have the best seat in the house, and I really enjoy it. The closet was just an opening into the attic (it's a Cape Cod) but since I had access from another room, I thought I could wall it in and put the equipment in there to help reduce vibrations and such. Never really A-B'ed it, so not sure if I really accomplished anything, but it does leave the room "open". I use RF triggers to control everything, but I still have to "run back" when i drop the needle. It takes me about the time of the run in groove to get back and comfortable before the music starts.

Good listening,
Mike

mrvordo April 11, 2013 20:52

Hi Lapierre,

I haven't gotten a Digital Module yet. I mostly listen to LPs and am waiting to hear some reviews on the Module. I'm also very curious about what might happen with DSD, before I invest too much into new digital equipment.

Mike

mrvordo April 11, 2013 20:43

System edited: Just some notes on the new Phantom III.

mrvordo March 24, 2013 21:10

I'm really enjoying it. I don't have a CAST amp so the III gives me about as much as I can get from the new Krell series of pre-amps I believe. It's much more open and quicker than the KRC-HR was. While I really liked the KRC-HR, the Phantom made it sound gritty in comparison.
And you are extremely right about the Xover upgrade. It's a jaw dropping difference.

mrvordo February 23, 2013 18:31

System edited: Just a couple of notes added on my upgraded Diva's.

mrvordo February 16, 2013 21:14

System edited: Just added the Krell Phantom III. It's barely warmed up, and not burned in yet, but sounds great. I'll post how it sounds as it breaks in.

mrvordo November 04, 2012 13:35

System edited: I might need to move this to another forum, but I think I am done for now. Sold my 28c and KRC-HR and got a Phantom III. Also just have my speakers re-ribboned, and replaced my outlet with PS Audio outlets. Too many changes at once I know, but hopefully all to the good. I'll post something else as things break in.

mrvordo October 30, 2012 13:11

Thanks Lapierre,

My chair is only 9 feet from the speakers. If I go back any further the sound stage clumps up, due to a dormer on one side and a build out for AC ducts on the other. The speakers are 6 feet from the back wall and 23.25 inches from the side wall to the speaker foot, making them slightly less than 79 inches apart (side to side). The room is 15x20x8.

I don't think I could make it work without the acoustical treatments, but now especially with the Xover up grade, they sound phenomenal.

mrvordo December 27, 2011 02:45

Well, I know I said "done for now", but while replacing the speaker terminals on my Diva Xover boxes, I managed to damage one of the inductors, so I decided to rebuild the Xovers. I replaced everything, using Goertz inductors, ESA Clarity caps, and some mystery resistors from England, and silver covered copper wire.

I have a totally new sounding speaker!!! It's amazing how much more of the music I am now hearing. Bigger and deeper sound stage, better highs, tighter and more defined bass, truly amazing.

Any Apogee owners with the original Xovers should consider this. It truly is a huge step up in performance.

mrvordo December 26, 2011 14:15

System edited: Just added a new pic of my new Diva's.

mrvordo November 24, 2011 17:59

System edited: Just changed to a pair of Diva's from the Duetta's. I'll post a picture soon.

mrvordo October 09, 2011 13:41

Well, I did get the Diva's and have them set up. All I can say is WOW!! While I would like to get my seat back a little more than I can, and maybe get them a little farther apart, the Diva's do sound great. So my room does just work. I started with placement exactly where the Duetta's were and then tweaked the positions until they really opened up. Stage is wider than the speakers and slightly deeper than the Duetta's, but there is just so much more there with the Diva's.

So I am really done for now, except I will probably redo the crossovers, binding posts, paint, and eventually ribbons....

Anyway, pictures coming soon.

mrvordo October 05, 2011 20:51

Yeah, I'm hoping my room is big enough to really support the Diva's, so I won't get rid of the Sig's (with Graz ribbons) before I'm sure the Diva's will better them in my room. My room is 15x20, so it is probably right at the limit in size for the Diva's, but I have high hopes. I'll let you know how it goes.

mrvordo September 18, 2011 15:25

System edited: Just uploaded some new pics and noted a possible coming change in speakers

mrvordo September 15, 2011 23:30

Well, I can't believe it but I found a pair of Apogee Diva's at a price I can currently afford. Going to see and hear them Monday, and if all goes well purchase. If this works out, I will be selling my reconditioned Duetta Signatures, so watch for an ad. I know it's taken awhile, but I should have some more pics of my system uploaded soon.

mrvordo September 15, 2011 13:10

System edited: Had to replace the KPS 20i, and Ruby 2, both due to mechanical failures.

mrvordo August 26, 2011 13:11