Apogee Scintilla Value?

Thanks everyone. I'm not going to pursue the Scintillas. Just too many problems but mostly the distance and the ML Prodigies are doing just fine. I also use the ML Theater i and the ML Scripts as my everyday system. I run everything as a home theater using a high end Pioneer receiver that has pre-outs. I switch amps now and then sometimes biamping the Prods. I have a Yamaha M2 that needs to go in next.

I read up on the Sunfire CGs. The first Sunfire amp which was 2 channel was rated for 1 ohm for "certain electrostatic speakers". At 1 ohm the output is 2400 watts per channel! But alas the CG which was the 2nd Sunfire product and 5 channels will only tolerate 4 ohm loads. I do wonder how that Sunfire stereo amp would perform with the Scintillas.

It is interesting that Maggies were brought up because I also have a pair of MG-111 that need a total rebuild. I have all the new parts including new ribbon tweeters. My plan is to actively bi or tri-amp these using a vintage Pioneer SF 850 active crossover. The garage is too cold now but I'll have the house to myself for 2 weeks in March so maybe I can do the rebuild then.

Thanks again everybody.

I once had and still love Apogees and have two friends with Scintillas. If the restoration was done here then they will be tip-top:

http://www.truesoundworksaudio.com/apogee-restoration.html

If you do buy them, do NOT ship them through UPS or FedEx. I bought a pair of Duetta Signatures a few years back and UPS completely destroyed them. Covers broken, magnets torn loose, coils handing from wires, totally annihilated. Took six months of ugliness to finally get them to pay on the claim.

They are brutal on amplifiers so you will need something rated down to one ohm. Not many of those out there and they are not cheap.

Best of luck to you,
Dave

you could buy 2 pair of 1.7i Magneplanars for that price or maybe a pair of used 3.6's or be close to a new 3.7i

I have the 1.5QRs and a Sunfire Cinema Grand which drives them easily

Maggies are an easy 4 ohm load all the way across the freq. spectrum, unlike electrostatics which are more difficult to drive, but I expect a Sunfire Cinema Grand can do it.

What got me into this, um, hobby many moons ago was sitting in front of a pair of Apogee Divas that made an instant addict out of me.  I'd heard many "stereos" before -- some quite good -- but nothing like this, and bought a pair of Duettas before I left the store (my wallet wasn't big enough for the Divas unfortunately).  So I have very fond memories of Apogee speakers in general, but the Scintillas in particular were known as amp killers due to an impedance load that dropped below 2 ohms at some frequencies.  Not sure if that was improved upon with the different versions over time, but you need more than just a robust amp to drive any Scintilla.  Think arc welder. :)

Stay with the MLs.  The Apogees may be a better loudspeaker, but too many variables regarding age, condition, parts, service, amp compatibility and cables.  They aren't a good drop-in replacement for other loudspeakers.

If you're happy with your Prodigies, I would stay with them.  I am not a fan or hater of Apogees, but they are tough to set up, extremely hard to drive, and you don't know how good the rebuild was or where to get them repaired if something goes wrong.  Seems like too many variables here.

+1 on what cleeds said. Value seems to be all over the map because age/condition and desire to buy old gear is all over the map. Tread lightly.

The Bluebook is crazy, and pretty much worthless.
For a better idea of actual value you can check out HiFi Shark, which shows what items are selling for today, and what they have sold for in the past.

https://www.hifishark.com/search?q=Apogee+Scintilla

Without knowing more about who rebuilt the speakers and how they did it, there's really no answer to this question other than the common refrain: They are worth whatever someone is willing to pay.