Who is still using and loving their Apogee Symphony I/0 MK II in 2020? I'm thinking of snagging the 8 x 8 Thunderbolt version here shortly. I'm upgrading converters from a Duet 2. I know Symphony Desktop is being released but I'm not interested as its emphasis isn't so much on converters (the conversion architecture isn't on level with the rackmount version) but their software vsts and mic pres... I will be picking up external preamps such as a Pacifica and one or two tube pres. I'm only interested in the best conversion. I know the 2x6 version of the Symphony Mk2 has Mk1 converters so that's why I'm bypassing it.

I've seen a couple people over the years say they liked their Apollo and even Motu (wtf lol) converters better. But others have said this is probably due to the fact that the Symphony mk2 is revealing so much and revealing the flaws in their mixes. But the majority seem to say the the Mk2 has the best conversion they've used, period. To the owners, are you still feeling this way in the pandemic summer of 2020? I was debating holding off another year or so (I don't really want to) to see if a USB-C version of Symphony would come out that's a rack mount version, but I don't know if it's worth it.

Hi....

We just bought 2 new fully loaded Symphony MKII last month. I still love the sound of them. Always healthy and the Software is stable and simply works with macs.

I did a converter A-B test at Vintage King LA sometime last year.
The converters tested were Symphony MkII 2x6SE, UA x8p, and Burl. We used ATC loudspeakers (can't remember the exact model, but it was one of the bigger ones).

Everyone in the room (at least 4, myself included) agreed that other converters were good, but Symphony's conversion was on another level.
It was quite an experience for all of us.

i love my symphony mkii. rock solid drivers. great converters. i haven’t seriously considered the question of converters since digging in with apogee; ymmv. ??‍♂️

j_r

from what i've heard, the 2x6SE is the best apogee conversion. i also heard one slut say that symphony mk i was actually better than mk ii (but not better than 2x6SE). i also heard that the converters in the new symphony desktop are the same as the mk ii converters. what makes you say the architecture is superior in the mk ii rackmount?

I'm in the market for a Mk2 but with 8x8. I wish they would release a 8x8se SE version as I need 8 I/Os minimum. Still tempted by that or the Apollo X16

Does anyone know if the 8MP Preamp Card can be installed with the 2x6SE?
I have been reading their website but may have missed the answer.

Thanks
SS

No, unfortunately it cannot. Must be an 8x8 or 16x16 (mk1 or mk2)

Tha nks

i use my 16x16 mkii everyday via digilink. the thing sounds amazing. i would like to expand it to 32i/0 and also throw a thunderbolt card in as well. does anyone know if apogee will move to TB3?

Are those MK2 converters MUCH MUCH better than those of the MK1 ??? Objectively speaking ...

I've not used either, but been following multiple threads and reviews about a number of interfaces and all the reports say yes, it's a noticeable jump. the MK2 are cleaner and more transparent.

I't appears to be a similar (MK 1-2) jump as the Lynx Aurora to the N and the UAD Apollo's to the X's. They all appear to have had in the range of a 5-15% improvement.

Gracias !!

After i bought and tested the 2x6se card I sold my burl converters. i have that and an 8x8 card in my Symphony mk2. I also have an Avid MTRX and Avid HD 16. The symphony is my primary AD.

Well the ADC is debatable.. I upgrade sometime back.

So the ADC is technically a lot better, but the MK1 had a softening in the high end that was kind of nice and which I miss. The MKII is I'd assume a lot more precise, and technically better. DAC wise however, it is definitely better, because the DAC in my opinion HAS TO BE precise.

That being said, the MKI is still amazing, so id only upgrade to remain compatible as Mac OS updates keep being made, rather than solely for sound quality.

an updated driver would have been way more cost efficient

Are the converters good enough to use for mastering, let's say on a Lynx Hilo level?

yes... Id say better in fact

Have and love the 2x6se over here. Used a prism titan and apollo x6 in the past but they never felt right Enough. I know the x16 is different, haven’t heard that.

The 2x6se is transparent with a richness to it. Really makes midrange sing. Cuts some sub but in a natural way that just works.

That's only happening @44.1K as far as I remember. Historically, Apogee filter setting has been very gentle at 44.1k, and it is the reason for Apogee converter's 'warm' 'midrangy' reputation, I guess. We can make it flat if we use it at higher frequency, which is a very clever design.

Still they use gentle slope for 6x2SE @44.1K? They use FGPA now?

Anyway, Symphony is one the best converter at any price, even older one, IMO. In my experience, it is much more transparent than the other high end ones, I mean I can totally forget about the converter's existence while session. It is probably because we're familiar with Apogee's sound signature from many commercial records. You guys remember Sony 3348's Apogee cards? lol

I love my Symphony MKII as much as I did on the day I got it. I don’t really think about changing up anymore. It’s a wonderful unit and it’s home to me.

I just got my Symphony mk2 in the mail. I got the 8x8 thunderbolt version in mint condition for about $1100 cheaper than full retail. I'm pretty pumped to get this hooked up! I'm moving from a Duet 2 so it's a major upgrade for me.

Congrats! That's the same configuration I've got.

Synphony 16x16 MKII on the way, upgrading from MKI on chassis and module

Hi nyandres,

I'm looking at getting a Symphony MKII or Aurora n in a couple of months. The Aurora has similar conversion to the Hilo (technically the Hilo has slightly better specs).

Can I ask if your comment is from experience with both the Symphony and Hilo?

And if yes, how you might describe what you heard?

I like the Hilo a lot. Probably one of the best DACs I have. I however still like the MKII a bit better and its also a better deal per channel count. You cannot go wrong with either.

Cool, thanks for responding.

I'm still weighing my options and may end just grabbing a new high end AD, like the Dangerous AD+ and keeping my Apollo x6 (clocked with a Grimm CC2) for the DA. I'm incorporating a few hardware pieces into my mix process and looking at options for getting the best analog mix process and capture.

Burl? Im not a fan of such color but that could be what you are looking for

No, I’m not looking to get colour from the converter (although the Burl sounds pretty good). The AD+ is pretty transparent but still musical.

My indecisiveness was down to whether to try and upgrade both the DA and AD, but the case is building for just going for a very high end AD to capture the analog processing. The AD+ has very good reviews all around.

Let us know if the MK2 is worth the switch from MK1 in term of sound only