Hi!

I was thinking about buying another audio interface and use it together with my Universal Audio Apollo connecting them through adat. Now the reason I want to do this is to have bit more expensive interface with better converters than my Apollo for some external hardware processing. Don't get me wrong, Apollos converters are perfectly fine but I'm kind of anal about sound and there are better converters out there for sure, especially for mastering use etc.

Now my question is, first has anybody here done this before? What kind of interface would you recommend? I was thinking first about Apogee interface but unfortunately it seems there's no adat! So can't use it with my Apollo. I don't need so much I/o, maybe only 4-8 channels for some outboard processing. Maybe Antelope or something like that?

Thanks for any input, even if you haven't done it but have some ideas!

 

What's your budget? If you're trying to have a meaningful difference which would still be miniscule to most, You're looking at Prism, Merging, Aurora. Antelope would be a sidegrade IMO. Frankly, if you're going to do all this, just use the better interface, it wouldn't make any sense to use a Prism just for inserts, and then monitor through the Apollo, you will miss everything you hypothetically gained, but that's just me.

 

Audient iD44 MKII - 539 €
USB 2.0 desktop audio interface
- 2 ADAT inputs and outputs for digital expansion
https://audient.com/products/audio-interfaces/id44/overview

Audient iD44 MKII – USB Audio Interface Review

Audient iD14 MKII - 217 €
USB 3.0 audio interface
- Connector: USB-C
- Combined ADAT and S/PDIF input (TOSLINK)
https://audient.com/products/audio-interfaces/id14/overview

Audient iD4 MKII and iD14 MKII - Audio Interface Review

 

Audient is also sidegrade

 

Thanks a lot for your replies already guys! My budget could be in thousands. I thought Antelope had better converters, I have the older generation Apollo x6 from 2018 or so, I think they slightly upgraded the converters meanwhile. Reason I'd like to continue using also Apollo is because of the plug-ins, I know some are native but still I'd like to use the onboard dsp too. Also a quick question, I am kind of new to adat and I saw somewhere that you can use only inputs with adat on Apollo but I think that's not true, you can route inputs and outputs both.

I am going to check those interfaces you mentioned, thanks!

I checked also Audient, could be a choice but not sure it's much better converter quality.

 

Audient is still, to this day, one of the top performers. I wouldn't honestly get anything other than an Audient, especially the id14 or id24 if you can afford it. It's the best bang for the buck in the market in terms of features and sound. The SSL is also really good, but I think it lacks a lot of features for the price.

Edit: just read that it seems to be an apollo x6. I think your issue is just GAS. It's a good interface with good preamps. I see no reason to "upgrade". Maybe look into the top Presonus units from last year, at least you get the best latency there is on top.

 

Last edited: Aug 20, 2025 at 4:13 PM

feel free to spend money on something like RME ADI-2 FS but unless your mastering chain consists of at least Rupert Neve Designs Portico II or Elysia Alpha Compressor, I don't see a reason to bother with additional better device in your setup
also don't expect high quality AD/DA without high quality stable digital clocking on the ADATs

 

Hahah fair enough, fair enough... I'm not saying it's bad at all! But I'd like to see about other options.

I do have also SSL 2+ but I was disappointed with it to be honest. Not so much with the sound quality which is ok I guess but there is a mismatch between left and right channels, they're not equal volume. It's not huge difference but noticeable to me and I've measured it. Maybe I was just unlucky with my unit but that doesn't raise much confidence ...

 

Thanks for your input, I'll check RME I have some tasty hardware ...

Edit: Actually that RME ADI looks hella tasty, it might enough for me just these couple of channels to run stuff through hardware and chain it with my Apollo! I guess converters are bit better than on Apollo?

 

Spoiler: Light and shadow - even with expensive audio interfaces:

Light and shadow - even with expensive audio interfaces:

Antelope Audio Discrete 8 Pro, Audio Interface - Price: €1,989

Pros
- Build quality
- Design
- Numerous inputs and outputs
- AFC 64-bit word clock
- Thunderbolt 3 and USB 2

Cons
- Drivers
- Limited DSP plug-ins
- AFX2DAW plug-in available for a fee
- Mediocre reverb effect
- Value for money

Source: www.amazona.de/test-antelope-audio-discrete-8-pro-audiointerface

The Sound – The RME Fireface UCX II in Comparison

I'm using the aforementioned Apollo Twin X Quad as a very good competitor, currently available for €1,599 in the "Heritage" version. This features a fairly large set of very high-quality plug-ins, powered by the Universal Audio device's four internal DSPs. The RME Fireface UCX II reviewed here is currently available for €1,299.

The comparison to Universal Audio is also obvious because the two most respected brands in the high-end studio scene are competing against each other. Of course, the approach of the two devices is completely different, and where the UA Apollo scores with its DSPs and desktop functions, the RME offers a full 40 channels and field recording options (if 220 volts are available).

And to say right away: I can't declare a true winner in terms of sound here. Where the Apollo, with its converters, is more quiet and offers greater clarity in complex passages, the RME counters this with its responsive dynamics and truly exceptional spatial imaging. While the Apollo is a touch darker and more suitable for long-term use, I hear more detail with the RME. If I wanted to evaluate transients and sustain, the RME would definitely be my favorite. However, after a long day in the home studio, the Apollo TWIN X seems to offer more relaxation for the ears.

Source: www.amazona.de/test-rme-fireface-ucx-ii-audiointerface
https://rme-audio.de/fireface-ucx-ii.html

 

Last edited: Aug 20, 2025 at 4:53 PM

if you plan to use apollo dsp power and console, aggregating with another device makes things messy. I was with same idea and after trying some other combos went to another apollo which has better converters, The new one (twin mkII) is master and old one (apollo fw upgraded to tb) is slave, no need to aggregate as apollos are meant to work together. another idea, why dont just buy good ad/da and connect it to spdif?

 

I would be using ADAT which is different than aggregating as I understand it. It should work flawlessly with another brand of sound card. I'llcheck that spdif option, didn't think about it

 

Best bet is Merging or DAD frontend with a UAD(usb) Accelerator
Like Hapi + 2 Mic io Cards. Depending 8 or 16CH Conversion.
Or if you can Find an older DAD AX(24io)

For your Plan maybe a Merging Anubis but Reduced IO

Still, a nice Upgrade would be An Antelope Zen Tour

btw what kind of resolution are you working in 24/96 ,88?
Your 8 ADAT could be cut in half by anything over 16/44,48

 

I'm not sure why you're not considering an adc converter , or do you need more ins and outs than what you already have?
If your goal is to have a better capture of your analog chain, then to me that's what makes the most sense. Think maybe of a burl Bomber, or the Dangerous one (don't remember the name, there's a "+" on it, I personnaly have the Burl at the studio) if your budget allow it, and if you already have (quality) analog equipments to feed it.
That's, to me, what will have the biggest impact in your analog chain.
Other than that, I think the UAD Apollo converters would be on par with almost any other quality interface.

 

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll check them out. Yeah I know through ADAT in depends what sample rate you're working how many channels you can get.

 

Yes, you're absolutely right. I am actually leaning towards to just buying adc converter. I will check some options. Actually I need only 2 channels hyper quality input / output to record my chain. Maybe more would be plus but I think I'd be content with that. Thanks for the suggestion, very helpful!

 

+1 RME ADI 2 DAC FS

 

It might be an option, the price is definitely not too bad! Not sure how big upgrade from Apollo converters, but I guess bit better?

 

that one doesn't have analog inputs (!)

 

You can find a second hand "RME ADI 2 DAC FS" for 500/600 €. Is TOP.
And with analog inputs. RME ADI-2 Pro FS R.

Another option, Ferrofish pulse8 ae compact ad-da.
https://www.ferrofish.com/pulse8-ae-compact-ad-da-converter/

 

Last edited: Aug 20, 2025 at 7:58 PM