How to open the Diva crossover box

[Zardoz]

I just got a set of Diva's and want to refurb the Xover. Rather than just start unscrewing things until it falls apart, I wanted to know which screws, and how many, will open the box. I was concerned about dislodging something inside, rather than just opening the box.

Also, I would be interested in recommendations for parts, wire, etc, for the refurb.

Thanks,

[apogee_admin]

Hi,

The bottom of the box is held in from memory by two screws per side, nothing is attached to the bottom apart from the feet.
As it is a real mission to understand the internals due to all the switch wiring, it would be easier to start with a new box.
Component wise Mundorf or similar foil inductors, these are so much better than any variety of wire type it's a no brainer.
For caps Clarity Cap PX or ESA, or Audience if you are not on a budget!

Jon

[Zardoz]

Thanks for the info Jon. Can you recommend a good source for the parts? I'm in the US.

[apogee_admin]

Just realised I think I was planning on re-doing part of the website on crossover upgrading, and didn't so these simplified schematics of the Diva crossover had temporarily been lost, so here they are.

Diva bass xover

diva_crossover_bass_schematic.jpg (45.91 KiB) Viewed 11867 times

Diva midrange xover

diva_crossover_midrange_schematic_normal.jpg (25.97 KiB) Viewed 11867 times

Diva tweeter xover

diva_crossover_tweeter_schematic.jpg (35.98 KiB) Viewed 11731 times

I have some Clarity Cap ESA's left over from another project if you are interested, I would have to post from the UK, but the price would be well below normal retail.

Jon

[dasign]

Hello Zarzoz, I would suggest PartsConnexion as a great audiophile parts supplier. I've been doing business with them for a few years and the service is excellent. I redid all my Duetta Signature Xover replacing 100% of original parts and putting all components in an external box. I ordered everything from them. All parts 'do' make a 'huge' beneficial change in sound. Audio grade components available today are of greater quality than those available 20 years ago. By priority I would go by following order depending on your budget:

1) Capacitors (Auricap for high cap values + Mundorf Supreme)
2) Winded coils replaced by Foil coils (Alphacore)
3) Resistors (Duelund)
4) Internal wiring + foil interconnexions (NeoTech silver wire + WBT NextGen spades)
5) Connectors (WBT NextGen are incredible)

PartsConnexion has a wide variety in each categories that should fit your budget.

Shipping to the USA would not be a problem. Here is the info:

http://www.partsconnexion.com/

Have fun, this should be a great project.

Dasign

[Zardoz]

Thanks for all the info Dasign, that's just what I was looking for. I found a page on line that had rated a ton of caps, but I lost it. Any idea what I'm talking about? If anyone does and can point me back to the URL, I would appreciate it.

[apogee_admin]

This one http://www.humblehomemadehifi.com/Cap.html

Like anything, personal preference comes into play. He rates the Sonicaps quite highly, but on Apogees to me they sound thin and slightly bright. I know from experience that the Clarity Cap ESA's are hard to beat for the price.

[Zardoz]

Yeah, that was the page I was looking for. I kind of got the opinion that the ESA was a good cap for the money from his page, but I understand what you mean about listening preference.

I also found these schematic on the Magnapan User site and thought you and others would like to see them.

[apogee_admin]

Lol, those are my original ones before I simplified them, I actually lost them as some point, I will add them back to the Diva page on the website.

The bass inductor is wrong in that diagram, it is 1.8mH, I measured it after making that schematic years ago. Also corrected the tweeter resistor value in the posted diagram it is 3R on normal
For anyone not familiar with the theory, on the tweeter NORMAL setting Apogee had 2 x 2uF in series which equals 1uF, which is in parallel with a 3uF so it totals 4uF.

Those switches are really criminal, they add harshness and vagueness to the sound, particularly the bass switch which robs much of the impact and detail in the low end. Really don't understand why they put it in.

Jon

[serraniruben]

Hi Jon,

You said:
on the tweeter NORMAL setting Apogee had 2 x 2uF in series which equals 1uF, which is in parallel with a 2uF so it totals 4uF.

In my book 1uf in parallel with 2uf is 3uf not 4uf.

Rubén

[Groove-T]

He means 3uF instead of 2uF, which are paralleled to 1 uF ( 2 +2 in Series).

Total 4uF is correct.

[apogee_admin]

Sorry slip of the finger there, changed my post

[serraniruben]

Hi all,
Jon, you must correct the diagram or valus in the Diva TW schematics
Normal 4uf
Low ?
High?

Rubén

[apogee_admin]

Hi Rubén,

Diva tweeter capacitance
Low - 3uF
Normal - 4uF
High - 5uF

Going through low to high moves the crossover point down, not by much but will give more output below 8kHz or so.

Diva tweeter resistance - more resistance before the tweeter equal less output so values go from high to low.
Low - 3.3R
Normal - 3R
High - 2.2R

Jon

[serraniruben]

Hi Jon,

I am curious about the frecuency change in the xover TW cut?
Do you messure or know the three position at wich frecuency cut without the small coil?

Thanks!
Rubén

[Zardoz]

I am curious as to when my new Diva's were built. There is a place for a serial number on the Xover boxes, but they are blank. Is there another location for a serial number to be found?

Thanks

[serraniruben]

Hi Graz,

Can you pass the overall impedance of the XLS TW and the MR of the Divas?

Thanks!
Rubén

[Graz]

Hello Ruben

Diva MR = 2.9-3.0 ohms, either KLM2, KLM5, XLM2, XLM5. Original RANGE 2.9-3.4.

Diva TW = 0.9-1.0 Normal, 1.4-1.5 SLW. Original range 0.8-1.1

Same foil grades as when first made, just tighter tolerances!



Take care - Graz

[serraniruben]

Hello Ruben

Diva MR = 2.9-3.0 ohms, either KLM2, KLM5, XLM2, XLM5. Original RANGE 2.9-3.4.

Diva TW = 0.9-1.0 Normal, 1.4-1.5 SLW. Original range 0.8-1.1

Same foil grades as when first made, just tighter tolerances!



Take care - Graz

Hi Graz,

Thanks for your fast repply.

Is the Diva foil only MR with your custom foil resistor suitable for blend the SLW TW?
Impedance of the foil only MR and pad Resistor?

The power amps are Jeff Rowland model8 , two one per speakers (one channel drive bass, the other MR/TW)
I think that this configuration can work, in the forum an user have this amps and drive an entire new scintillas in 1 ohm.
Please let my know.

Regards
Rubén