Hi all! I'm in the process of updating my audio interface and am having a real hard time selecting between these two contenders.

Feature and connectivity wise the Goliath slays the Apogee, but spec wise the Apogee has the advantage. And I guess that I prefer the soft-limit function for studio usage than the built in hardware simulation that the Antelope offers.

Have I answered the question myself? Maybe. But I would still like to hear a bit more of input from people who have heard both (maybe not so many out there yet?).

Thanks!

I think you possibly have. I absolutely love my Goliath, and the sound of the conversion. That said, when you consider the cost per channel of A/D and the specs, purely on conversion get the Apogee... but man the Goliath has a lot to offer! For me that tipped the decision. Your mileage may vary

I guess that the Orion Studio has the same converters as the Goliath and that puts in better perspective the price per channel. If someone has heard it and the Apogee, it would also be very useful.

I was told by a vendor that the real world differences between the sound on these are negligible and that Apogee now is aiming at a more neutral sound with this converter. I've also heard from another person that the Antelope conversion has more focused mids and highs translation...

Really hard to make a choice without hearing both side by side! Of course I'd like to save and get the Antelope, but the Apogee specs seem to almost be one generation further from the Antelope ones.

I did a comparison between my Symhony IO MK1 and Orion Studio I had for 10 days. They do sound more different than I imagined two units can sound. Apogee sounds more true to the source, more natural, bass is tighter and also more extended, but trues. Antelope has a hi end sheen and softer mids, more in a hi-fi way and more emphasis in the 100Hz.

Initially I found Antelope to sound thin compared to Apogee, but I grew to really like its sound. Still, Apogee objectively sounds more neutral. What goes in is what you hear. Orion sounds more processed.

I also have RME Babyface Pro and Apollo 8P. They both sound much closer to Apogee than to Antelope. It goes to show me Antelope really has a specific sound, which is very very open and wide but not harsh (due to the recessed upper midrange).

There is a YouTube video Antelope Zen Interface vs Apollo and the antelope sounds a tad bit nicer in all areas... Hmmmm

Specs aren't everything but Symphony I/O MkII beats out the Goliath in every major conversion specification.

Input Stage
Symphony I/O MkII
Dynamic Range: 122dB
THD+N: -115dB

Goliath
Input Stage: 120dB
Dynamic Range: -110dB

Output Stage
Symphony I/O MkII
Dynamic Range: 126dB
THD+N: -119dB

Goliath
Dynamic Range: 120dB
THD+N: -110dB

There's some incredible tech inside of the MkII converters like the dual sum ADC, ESS Sabre 32bit DAC. It's an incredible sounding box.

Hey Guys,

same here. Would be interested in the feedback that has used / tested both these converters. Pro's / cons, Likes / dislikes and with what they ended up with.

Thanks,
HH

Hope there's some a/b audio files we can hear soon!

I went with the Symphony with zero regrets - intuitive control, great dynamic range and conversion, reliable drivers, very low latency and soft limit.

Congrats!

Getting mine tomorrow (16x16+8MP)

Hi, i read that the Symphony MK2 2x6 base config uses MK1 converter and older circuitry! Is that true? I'm about to get a new system especially for surround monitoring in a pro studio, and it'd kind of useless to pay for MK2 prices if 2x6 config is indeed using old technology... thanx

How are you liking your 16x16+8MP? ..I cant wrap my head around how the mic pre card works..through the line in?.. so how do you deal with phantom? or patchbay?

What a shame that Apogee doesn't support Windows!!! I would buy it, but have to look for alternatives...

how do you like the mkii, are you diggin it?

Hi Tim,

I understand your pain - I invested heavily in Antelope couple of years back. Got the Orion 32HD, Discrete 8 and the Zen Tour. But let me tell you:

I rather have Apogee with only Mac that is working than 3 half-ass **** show Antelope units where every update turns into a nightmare and customer service is useless.

This said never ever again Antelope. So disappointed in that company.

You have Mac or Windows machine?

Mac all the way