Apogee Symphony I/O Mk II 8x8 Analogue Thunderbolt Audio Interface with 8 Mic Preamps
![Symphony I/O Mk II 8x8 Analogue Thunderbolt Audio Interface with 8 Mic Preamps](https://cdn.long-mcquade.com/files/171640/lg_52bac46a4af19ff32e8bbacc80f7fadc.webp)
Additional Photos:
Legendary Sound Quality
Apogee engineers have made it their passion to improve every new flagship product by using the latest in electrical components and designing optimized circuitry that often exceeds the expectations of the component manufacturer. This is the Apogee Advantage. Symphony I/O Mk II is the culmination of this 30 year commitment and raises the bar on all Apogee products before it with even better audio clarity and sonic transparency. In fact, when equipped with either the new 88 or 1616 Mk II I/O modules, Symphony I/O Mk II outperforms all other multi-channel audio interfaces available for Pro Tools HD or Thunderbolt based systems, making it the flagship audio interface for the entire professional audio industry and the obvious choice for countless GRAMMY winning artists, producers, songwriters and engineers.
Highlights
• Best AD/DA conversion of any Thunderbolt™ audio interface
• Up to 32 channels of modular analog I/O with 8 mic preamps
• Best per-channel value of any interface in its category
• Ultra-low latency performance
• Intuitive touchscreen display and front panel control
• Option card slot for future platform flexibility
• Designed in California, Built in the U.S.A.
True Thunderbolt Performance
Symphony I/O Mk II Thunderbolt delivers the full potential of Thunderbolt 2 performance with the lowest latency, unmatched CPU efficiency and 2 ports for connecting additional peripherals.
Low Latency
Symphony I/O Mk II Thunderbolt relies on Apogee's proprietary Thunderbolt driver, written from the ground up to offer unmatched performance and efficiency. When using Logic Pro X, latency has been reduced to an astounding 1.35 ms round-trip*, allowing you to monitor through your DAW, plug-ins included, simplifying your workflow and leveraging the power of your Mac. Even when your session's DSP demands require a higher buffer setting, Symphony I/O's ultra-low latency means no longer having to choose between power and speed.
To accommodate different workflow preferences, Symphony I/O Mk II Thunderbolt features optional direct hardware monitoring through Apogee's Maestro 2 App with 0.6ms of latency.
The Magic is in the Modules
The I/O Modules are the sound and soul of Symphony I/O Mk II, and represent 30 years of Apogee R&D and design excellence. These powerful Modules deliver Apogee's core competency: superior sounding digital audio recording. With 3 available I/O Modules and an 8 channel mic preamp module, you can choose from base configurations or expand to grow your studio's capabilities.
Front Panel Touchscreen with Comprehensive Control
All of Symphony I/O Mk II's essential input and output settings can be accessed from the front panel touchscreen. Change your input selection, monitoring levels, mic pre gain or calibrate your Symphony I/O Mk II to match the levels of the other analog gear in your system.
A high-resolution TFT display delivers all the visual feedback critical for recording and monitoring. Without looking at your computer, Symphony I/O Mk II lets you see metering for up to 64 channels of I/O, 32 IN x 32 OUT - signal levels, polarity, muting, phantom power and Soft Limit.
Dynamic Temperature Control
Symphony I/O Mk II features advanced controls to keep the unit running at an ideal temperature, ensuring the highest level of performance and reliability. The new temperature controls are complemented by an improved fan and chassis ventilation design, which allows adequate component cooling to occur quietly.
Why do I need a good AD/DA converter?
Whether you record with a vintage Neve console, the best Neumann microphones or colorful mic preamps, a high quality AD converter is imperative to capture every nuance of your analog gear into your DAW. Without this, you will miss many of the subtleties and details that simply cannot be added back later with plugins. Similarly, the DA stage is essential to your perception of the recorded audio tracks. When mixing, regardless of what speakers you are using, if the converter is masking or having any effect on your audio, you could end up overcompensating with EQ, compression or other effects and failing to address other problematic details.
With Symphony I/O Mk II, you will hear more definition in each track and instrument of the mix, making it easier for you to make intelligent adjustments and achieve the ideal balance. Tracks will blend more harmoniously and mixing will simply be easier. The high end will be clear and not as brittle while the low end will be tighter than ever and more defined. This sort of unmatched audio quality can be noticed and appreciated by any listener.
Apogee Engineering Advantage
For over 30 years, Apogee has consistently redefined the state of the art in digital audio hardware design. We never rest on the laurels of our previous award-winning products - we're constantly evaluating the latest technological developments in analog and digital components, platform connectivity and user interface advances to design better performing, intuitive products that meet the needs of any audio professional.
As an example of the Apogee Advantage, Symphony I/O Mk II uniquely employs a fully differential op-amp as a fundamental building block throughout its analog circuits. The very latest iterations of this technology offer astounding performance - vanishingly low noise and distortion, lightning-fast slew rate and out-sized current output capability, all in a power efficient and small package. These components offer performance that's orders of magnitude superior to what's found in most competitive audio interfaces, and are an important factor in Symphony I/O Mk II's ability to offer up to 32 channels of state-of-the-art conversion in one 2U package at an incredible price per channel value.
Mk II Sound Quality-New 88 and 1616 Modules.
Like every flagship product we've introduced, Symphony I/O Mk II benefits from on-going expertise that constitutes the Apogee Engineering Advantage, once again pushing forward the state-of-the-art.
Symphony I/O Mk II includes the most refined analog-to-digital converter we've ever designed. The analog stage uses the same fully differential op-amps as found in the original Symphony I/O, but now in a circuit precisely streamlined to provide the most transparent path to the A/D stage possible. A Dual Sum A/D stage - where two conversion stages are summed for each analog channel - offers the lowest distortion and greatest dynamic range of any A/D converter we've ever designed - you get digital recordings that are true to your analog inspiration.
Symphony I/O MK II's D/A section has been optimized with a more powerful, robust analog output driver. This newly designed high current, low impedance circuit is capable of driving virtually any input with absolutely no decrease in performance, regardless of the load presented by the connected gear. This becomes especially important when connecting vintage gear with difficult load impedances and elevated operating levels, sometime over long cables - Symphony I/O MK II maintains fidelity and punch.
Audiophile-Grade Headphone Monitoring with Constant Current Drive.
Symphony I/O Mk II features a single ultra high-fidelity DAC and headphone amplifier featuring Apogee's Constant Current Drive technology, first introduced in the Apogee Groove. This unique approach to headphone amplification dynamically compensates for the nonlinearities of any connected headphones, providing massive power while maintaining extremely low distortion and linear frequency response.
Includes ESS Sabre32 DAC Technology
ESS Sabre32 32-bit Hyperstream DAC with Time Domain Jitter Eliminator offers unequalled dynamic range, ultra low distortion, and unmatched audio clarity free from input jitter.
A Difference You Will Hear
Apogee is an award-winning industry leader in digital recording technology with over 30 years of experience. Preferred by recording pros around the world, Apogee products like Duet, Quartet, Ensemble and Symphony I/O have been instrumental in creating countless GRAMMY® and OSCAR® winning recordings and have set the industry standard in professional recording for over two decades. Symphony I/O Mk II is built solidly on this reputation.
SPECS:
Inputs:
• Analog IN: 8 balanced inputs on 1 DSUB 25-pin connector
• AES-EBU IN: 8 inputs on 1 DSUB 25-pin connector (192k single wide compatible)
• Optical IN: Supports ADAT, SMUX & S/PDIF
• ADAT: 8 channels 44.1-48 kHz
• SMUX: 8 channels 88.2-96 kHz
• S/PDIF: 2 channels, up to 96 kHz
• Coax IN: 2 channels of S/PDIF, up to 192 kHz
Outputs:
• Analog OUT: 8 balanced outputs on 1 DSUB 25-pin connector
• AES-EBU OUT: 8 outputs on 1 DSUB 25-pin connector (192k single wide compatible)
• Optical OUT: Supports ADAT, SMUX & S/PDIF
• ADAT: 8 channels 44.1-48 kHz
• SMUX: 8 channels 88.2-96 kHz
• S/PDIF: 2 channels, up to 96 kHz
• Coax OUT: 2 channels of S/PDIF, up to 192 kHz
Connection:
• Thunderbolt cable (Sold separately)
Performance:
• 44.1kHz - 192kHz
• Latency: 1.35 ms with Logic Pro X (96 kHz / 32 buffer)
Computer:
• Thunderbolt-enabled Mac computer, including Mac Pro, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, iMac & MacBook Air
• Operating System: Mac OS 10.9.5 or greater
Compatible Software:
• Logic Pro X
• Any Core Audio application on Mac
Analog to Digital:
• THD+N: -114dB @ 22dBu (0.00020%)
• Dynamic range: 122dB A weighted
• Maximum input levels:
• +4dB setting: +24dBu
• -10dB setting: +6dBV
• Frequency response at 44.1kHz: 1-20,000 Hz (+/- 0.05dB)
• Input impedance: 10K
Digital to Analog:
• THD+N: -117dB @ 21dBu (0.00014%)
• Dynamic Range: 129dB A weighted
• Max output levels - ? to +24dBu
• Frequency response at 44.1 kHz: dc to 20kHz (+/- 0.05dB)
• Output impedance: 25 Ohm
• Outputs are balanced through Apogee's proprietary Perfect Symmetry Circuitry (PSC)
Headphone Output:
• 1 stereo 1/4" headphone output on front panel
• THD+N:
• -110dB @19dBu into 600 Ohm (=80mW)
• -101dB @14dBu into 32 Ohm (=470mW)
• Dynamic Range: 121db A weighted
• Output: Apogee's proprietary Constant Current Drive™ provides smooth frequency response with any headphones
Power:
• 90-240VAC, 50-60Hz, 150W
Package Contents:
• Symphony I/O Mk II Interface
• Power Cable
• Quick Start Guide
• Warranty Booklet
Q & A
Reviews
Protect your investment with the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty
A warranty can be a very important factor when making a buying decision. Because repairs can be very expensive in terms of parts and labour costs, manufacturers usually only provide one year limited warranties that generally only cover items that malfunction due to a manufacturer’s defect. With an important purchase such as a musical
instrument or piece of studio gear, however, many people want to have the peace of mind in knowing that their investment will be protected should the product no longer be performing at 100%.
Because of this, Long & McQuade provides our customers with a FREE one-year Performance Warranty on most of our products. The Long & McQuade Performance Warranty supplements the manufacturer’s warranty to ensure that our customers receive complete “no hassle” warranty coverage within their first year.
How does the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty differ from most manufacturers' warranties?
- Performance Guarantee: Normal wear and tear is covered, so your product will be performing as well as the day you purchased it for the entire duration of the coverage. Band and Orchestral Performance Warranty does not include replacing pads or cleaning for woodwind instruments, unless deemed necessary by our repair staff. Ultrasonic cleaning for brass instruments will be provided if deemed necessary by our repair staff, but is not routinely offered under the Performance Warranty.
- Product Replacement: If your product cannot be fixed or costs too much to fix, we will replace it with the equivalent model for no additional charge. If this is not possible, a full refund will be provided.
- No Lemon Policy: Your product will be replaced should the same problem occur multiple times.
- Convenient: Easy drop off and pick up of the product at any Long & McQuade location.
- Guitar Setup: Guitars purchased at Long & McQuade come with 1 free setup, to be redeemed within 1 year for new guitars and 90 days for used guitars.
- Loaners Available: A loaner product may be given while the product is being repaired.
- Power Surge Protection: Your product is covered even if damaged from a power surge.
- Accessory Coverage: Any peripheral devices or accessories that come with your product (i.e. foot pedal, case) are also covered.
- Commercial Use Coverage: Music and recording professionals who purchase gear for “heavy-use” commercial purposes will still be covered.
Long & McQuade reserves the right to restrict the purchase of additional years of Performance Warranty. Used products come with a 3-month Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Some products (i.e. computers, software, cymbals and other items) are covered only by the manufacturer‘s warranty. Consumables (i.e. strings, reeds, drum sticks, batteries, tubes, cross faders) are excluded as they are designed to be replaced. Cosmetic Damage, Accidental Damage, or problems caused by Humidity or Temperature Issues are not covered. Speakers damaged by overpowering are generally not covered. Our coverage does not provide compensation for loss of use. As of June 2018 the Performance Warranty is no longer transferable. The warranty is only valid in Canada.
Purchasing additional years of coverage
Some manufacturers provide warranties for longer than 1 year; however, these are usually limited warranties that do not provide the same coverage as the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Customers interested in more complete and convenient (but not necessarily longer) coverage are still able to purchase additional years of the Performance Warranty.
If you are interested in receiving this coverage for longer than one year, you have the option of purchasing additional years of the Performance Warranty. The pricing is as follows:
- NEW products: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year.
- USED products: 4% of the current new selling price to increase the warranty from 3 months to 1 year. 4% for each additional year.
- GUITARS: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year. $45 maximum. An additional free setup is not included with additional purchased years of Performance Warranty.
- BAND and ORCHESTRAL instruments: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year.