Looks like cheaper products derived from their Ensemble TB.. makes sense to me. It's placed at similar price range (although maybe bit more expensive due to Apogee badge) as Claret by Focusrite.
Common tactile remote control just for the interested buyers (not everyone really needs that, as he can use just OS X volume control for example) seems to be quite nice idea, how to push base price of the interfaces down.
RE complaints regarding more analog outputs.. it's logical, they have to distinguish between this line-up and more expensive products. And if you look around, majority of Soundcloud warriors, amp-sim and VI performers

doesn't really need much more than monitor out, headphones and single input. So IMHO there quite significant demand for interface without (unnecessary) I/Os, but with high quality sound and lowest possible latency and CPU drain, which TB with DMA transfers can provide.
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Originally Posted by
sigmatibet
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Looking at specifics I see there is no routing. So I cannot for example route spdif inputs to Analog outputs for monitoring (without passing thru a daw). In this modern audio world everything is possible, but eveything is scaled down to the money you pay. Frustrating.
Whole new software looks like repainted Maestro into current trendy flat design.. Besides of that feature-set looks exactly same.
So you can see at screenshots, there are standard low-latency DSP mixers (level, pan) into independent stereo buses.. I'm guessing two mixers at smaller interfaces and four mixers at model 88. Then you can "patch" output from those mixers to some physical outs (main, alt, headphones).
So although you can't really route directly, it's possible select one of those mixers, pull-up faders of inputs, you're interested in.. hard pan channels to L-R, mute other inputs and send that mixer into some physical out.. I'd guess unit will "remember" this setting after disconnection like Ensemble. So it should be possible IMO.
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Originally Posted by
explorer
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Wonder if they work as standalone converters over ADAT?
I've spotted checkbox with "Analog In - Optical Out" label at the screenshots.. so I'm guessing, it would be possible.
http://www.apogeedigital.com/wp-cont...er-260x185.png
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Originally Posted by
iMacCartney
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Preamp bypass?
(I'm guessing, again that BS with ability of pre-bypass aka "straight to ADC" as quality differentiator between interfaces..)
Nevermind, as it was mentioned before, it looks like they've included their classical level pull-down menu at Element Control.. mic/inst/-10/+4.. so yes, I believe, last two choices bypass' some gain-stage from their preamp.
Generally I'm guessing, it might be successful line-up between Mac OS people especially at small home-studios.
Michal