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Post by Johnkenn on Mar 30, 2024 9:35:28 GMT -6
Should have it back in another week/week and a half. Obviously won't be able to compare with a stock unit, but I can compare with the Hilo.
XB Mod (Premium Analog I/O & XB Clock)
Analog
– New, high performance op-amps on all analog inputs and outputs
– New, high-grade signal path capacitors on analog inputs (not available on X16)
– New, high-grade decoupling capacitors on mic preamps, Hi-Z inputs, and headphone amplifiers (not available on X16)
– New, high-grade decoupling capacitors on line outputs (X16 only)
– New, high-grade decoupling capacitors used for global power filtration
– Improving the performance of the analog stage circuits makes a drastic difference for tracking, mixing, and mastering (expect amazing micro-dynamics and space)!
Digital
– New internal, ultra-low-jitter, XB word clock with proprietary implementation
– The clock modification makes a big difference to the A/D and D/A conversion stages. It opens up the soundstage and removes grit!
– Proprietary decoupling on all A/D and D/A converters using methods found in our Signature, FM, and XB modifications
– Our approach to converter decoupling reduces noise generated during the conversion process, leaving you with crisp, clear audio!
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Post by nick8801 on Mar 30, 2024 9:50:19 GMT -6
Can’t wait to hear what you think next to the Hilo!
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 16,083 
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Post by ericn on Mar 30, 2024 11:02:14 GMT -6
Should have it back in another week/week and a half. Obviously won't be able to compare with a stock unit, but I can compare with the Hilo. XB Mod (Premium Analog I/O & XB Clock) Analog – New, high performance op-amps on all analog inputs and outputs – New, high-grade signal path capacitors on analog inputs (not available on X16) – New, high-grade decoupling capacitors on mic preamps, Hi-Z inputs, and headphone amplifiers (not available on X16) – New, high-grade decoupling capacitors on line outputs (X16 only) – New, high-grade decoupling capacitors used for global power filtration – Improving the performance of the analog stage circuits makes a drastic difference for tracking, mixing, and mastering (expect amazing micro-dynamics and space)! Digital – New internal, ultra-low-jitter, XB word clock with proprietary implementation – The clock modification makes a big difference to the A/D and D/A conversion stages. It opens up the soundstage and removes grit! – Proprietary decoupling on all A/D and D/A converters using methods found in our Signature, FM, and XB modifications – Our approach to converter decoupling reduces noise generated during the conversion process, leaving you with crisp, clear audio! Haven’t heard the Apollo mod except for some stuff at Martin’s, but I have experience with the BLA modded Digi boxes and Behringer, both were a definite improvement and worth every penny. I really was impressed with the Digi 192 Mod. |
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Post by thehightenor on Mar 30, 2024 12:01:32 GMT -6
Should have it back in another week/week and a half. Obviously won't be able to compare with a stock unit, but I can compare with the Hilo. XB Mod (Premium Analog I/O & XB Clock) Analog – New, high performance op-amps on all analog inputs and outputs – New, high-grade signal path capacitors on analog inputs (not available on X16) – New, high-grade decoupling capacitors on mic preamps, Hi-Z inputs, and headphone amplifiers (not available on X16) – New, high-grade decoupling capacitors on line outputs (X16 only) – New, high-grade decoupling capacitors used for global power filtration – Improving the performance of the analog stage circuits makes a drastic difference for tracking, mixing, and mastering (expect amazing micro-dynamics and space)! Digital – New internal, ultra-low-jitter, XB word clock with proprietary implementation – The clock modification makes a big difference to the A/D and D/A conversion stages. It opens up the soundstage and removes grit! – Proprietary decoupling on all A/D and D/A converters using methods found in our Signature, FM, and XB modifications – Our approach to converter decoupling reduces noise generated during the conversion process, leaving you with crisp, clear audio! These will make a difference I'm sure. The ada chips inside any converters from cheap to high end are not that expensive - it's the PSU, Clock and Analog I/O that makes as much difference as the ada chip spec. Expensive converters have usually quite standard ada chips but first class PSU, Clock and Analog I/O. One difference between something like a Lynx Aurora N and a Ferrofish unit is that the ada chips in a lesser unit are in blocks of 8 and something like the Lynx A N is stereo pairs. It makes a difference to the ada specs on paper and sonic performance in the real world. I wonder if the Apollo ada chips are discreet stereo pairs or blocks of 8? Either way, looking forward to hearing your thoughts against your new Hilo. |
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Post by Martin John Butler on Mar 30, 2024 14:21:47 GMT -6
Can't wait to hear your impressions after the mods. I have the same mod, but nothing to compare it to except my audio memory. To me, it sounds like the Dangerous Music gear after the mods, which is the kind of improvement I'd hoped for.
To be able to use the well designed Apollo and not feel like I'm missing something important is a great relief.
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Post by guitfiddler on Mar 30, 2024 23:24:14 GMT -6
Can’t wait to hear your thoughts! 🤟🏻
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Post by chessparov on Mar 31, 2024 9:12:37 GMT -6
I'm confident that the Black Lion Mod (or a Lynx too)... Would be appreciated by even Bob Katz. (Especially for Scratch Tracks)  Chris |
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Post by Mark Kano on Mar 31, 2024 15:42:29 GMT -6
A proper A/B of the before and after would be highly educational. I had my X6 modded and definitely probably think it was an improvement lol. I opted for the Premium I/O only as a compromise, thinking one day I wouldn’t lose quite as much $ when selling. I tried the external XB clock for a while and I could discern differences, but I was fighting to hear them at times and it wasn’t making anything noticeably better per se. I know the implementation is supposed to be more beneficial when the clock is done internally though. I am still preferring the sound of the Burl AD on the way in but I recently used a Dangerous Source monitor controller and preferred the DA of the modded Apollo for what it’s worth. I know that’s not their flagship unit or anything but it has a good reputation. Like Martin said in a previous post, the headphone outputs were the biggest noticeable improvement for me.
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Post by kcatthedog on Mar 31, 2024 15:59:02 GMT -6
Maybe, things have changed but I got zero extra value for the mod when I sold my Apollo and zero extra value on trade in estimate at Vintage King, (they said they didn’t care).
There is an improvement in sound, but in my case (shipping to cdn), the mod cost me over $1,000 cdn and eventually I sold my Apollo for $1700 usd, so it was like I increased the cost of the Apollo by 30% or so, heard the difference, but got no increased price on sale.
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Post by Johnkenn on Mar 31, 2024 16:49:36 GMT -6
Doubt I’ll ever sell it at this point. It’s the hub of my studio.
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Post by kcatthedog on Mar 31, 2024 16:55:09 GMT -6
Hopefully, you are pleased!!
I posted just based on previous comment.
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Post by notneeson on Mar 31, 2024 18:00:33 GMT -6
I "lost" money on my BLA modded 002r back in the day. But, if you consider all the paid work I did on that thing, it's a very different equation.
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Post by nick8801 on Mar 31, 2024 18:10:01 GMT -6
I had them mod my original motu828. It actually sounded pretty good after the mod.
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Post by Mark Kano on Mar 31, 2024 19:11:12 GMT -6
I’m not sure what it would take for me to consider selling at this point. For what I do the X6 is almost perfect. The Apollo/Luna combo is the most fun I’ve had recording at home and is such a step up sonically from where I was before. I have no idea how my tracks compare to others but for me I can’t imagine the audio/conversion getting too much better than this. Post-mod of course:)
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Post by Mister Chase on Mar 31, 2024 20:38:27 GMT -6
Should have it back in another week/week and a half. Obviously won't be able to compare with a stock unit, but I can compare with the Hilo. XB Mod (Premium Analog I/O & XB Clock) Analog – New, high performance op-amps on all analog inputs and outputs – New, high-grade signal path capacitors on analog inputs (not available on X16) – New, high-grade decoupling capacitors on mic preamps, Hi-Z inputs, and headphone amplifiers (not available on X16) – New, high-grade decoupling capacitors on line outputs (X16 only) – New, high-grade decoupling capacitors used for global power filtration – Improving the performance of the analog stage circuits makes a drastic difference for tracking, mixing, and mastering (expect amazing micro-dynamics and space)! Digital – New internal, ultra-low-jitter, XB word clock with proprietary implementation – The clock modification makes a big difference to the A/D and D/A conversion stages. It opens up the soundstage and removes grit! – Proprietary decoupling on all A/D and D/A converters using methods found in our Signature, FM, and XB modifications – Our approach to converter decoupling reduces noise generated during the conversion process, leaving you with crisp, clear audio! Haven’t heard the Apollo mod except for some stuff at Martin’s, but I have experience with the BLA modded Digi boxes and Behringer, both were a definite improvement and worth every penny. I really was impressed with the Digi 192 Mod. I was just reading an old interview with Mike Shipley about the Paper Airplane record. He said they used the modded out 192s for it and once everyone heard it they couldn't go back. |
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Post by guitfiddler on Mar 31, 2024 21:06:20 GMT -6
Haven’t heard the Apollo mod except for some stuff at Martin’s, but I have experience with the BLA modded Digi boxes and Behringer, both were a definite improvement and worth every penny. I really was impressed with the Digi 192 Mod. I was just reading an old interview with Mike Shipley about the Paper Airplane record. He said they used the modded out 192s for it and once everyone heard it they couldn't go back. That is an amazing sounding album! Mike Shipley was a great talent, too bad he’s gone. RIP Mike. There is an article somewhere out there about that record. I think he used a Rupert Neve 9098i console on the record if my memory recalls. There is also a BLA article on the Mutt Lange 192 upgrades somewhere out there. |
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Post by guitfiddler on Mar 31, 2024 21:13:43 GMT -6
I hate to do this, but did anyone check out the Antelope Galaxy 32? They have a 64 option as well!!! Eric Valentine just went this route. This converter looks sweet! All the I/O you could ever need or want, and a monitor controller for it! This would really fit into my workflow perfect with my outboard. Unfortunately there isn’t a headphone jack on this interface!!!! You have to get the Galaxy 64 to get the one headphone jack, then that’s a huge price jump
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Post by Martin John Butler on Apr 1, 2024 14:28:50 GMT -6
I wanted 5 more years from my Apollo X6, I wasn't concerned about resale value. I wanted to get better mixes without having to spend way more than I can afford to get there.
Big thanks to Seth at RAD for all his help and sage advice.
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 16,083
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Post by ericn on Apr 2, 2024 20:12:58 GMT -6
I hate to do this, but did anyone check out the Antelope Galaxy 32? They have a 64 option as well!!! Eric Valentine just went this route. This converter looks sweet! All the I/O you could ever need or want, and a monitor controller for it! This would really fit into my workflow perfect with my outboard. Unfortunately there isn’t a headphone jack on this interface!!!! You have to get the Galaxy 64 to get the one headphone jack, then that’s a huge price jump The problem with Antelope is drivers and manufacturers support suck. |
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Post by BenjaminAshlin on Apr 2, 2024 21:36:22 GMT -6
I hate to do this, but did anyone check out the Antelope Galaxy 32? They have a 64 option as well!!! Eric Valentine just went this route. This converter looks sweet! All the I/O you could ever need or want, and a monitor controller for it! This would really fit into my workflow perfect with my outboard. Unfortunately there isn’t a headphone jack on this interface!!!! You have to get the Galaxy 64 to get the one headphone jack, then that’s a huge price jump The problem with Antelope is drivers and manufacturers support suck. Only posting this as i have been quite critical of them in the past. (and i still don't like the EOL status of interfaces about six months after their release.) I use one as for DSP and converters via ADAT into an RME HDSPe. About 1 year ago I had a hardware issue with the thunderbolt port and customer support was very good. Multiple sessions with customer service and an engineer (the interface was way out of warranty). They must have put more focus on customer service it in recent years. Also i have not had any drivers issues in relation to controlling the software mixer/dsp. (i go straight out to adat though). My 2 cents. Back to the BLA Apollos which are more reliable overall! |
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Post by bentley on Apr 2, 2024 21:38:38 GMT -6
I hate to do this, but did anyone check out the Antelope Galaxy 32? They have a 64 option as well!!! Eric Valentine just went this route. This converter looks sweet! All the I/O you could ever need or want, and a monitor controller for it! This would really fit into my workflow perfect with my outboard. Unfortunately there isn’t a headphone jack on this interface!!!! You have to get the Galaxy 64 to get the one headphone jack, then that’s a huge price jump The problem with Antelope is drivers and manufacturers support suck. Have heard the same thing but never had an issues. Using a Galaxy 32 here on both HDX and Thunderbolt with no issues. Biggest complaint is having to wrap my head around the control panel routing. Had used a 1st Gen Goliath at one point and had no issues out of that one either. Can't speak for everyone's experiences though. |
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Post by Mister Chase on Apr 2, 2024 22:07:57 GMT -6
I was just reading an old interview with Mike Shipley about the Paper Airplane record. He said they used the modded out 192s for it and once everyone heard it they couldn't go back. That is an amazing sounding album! Mike Shipley was a great talent, too bad he’s gone. RIP Mike. There is an article somewhere out there about that record. I think he used a Rupert Neve 9098i console on the record if my memory recalls. There is also a BLA article on the Mutt Lange 192 upgrades somewhere out there. Yes - such a sad thing. Mike was obviously the deal. That album is great sounding, no doubt. |
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Post by sirthought on Apr 2, 2024 22:47:12 GMT -6
I've always been curious what might happen after the mod if Universal Audio decides to update the firmware. Does it do a components check like some PCs do?
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Post by kcatthedog on Apr 3, 2024 4:33:03 GMT -6
Never been a problem so far with 3 gens of Apollos.
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Post by Johnkenn on Apr 3, 2024 11:38:05 GMT -6
I don't think it's any issue. I'm just looking at it like this: This will be the quality of the Revolution boxes at the very least and I think it's actually a newer mod that goes beyond that. It can be my hub with awesome ADDA or it can be an additional I/O with great ADDA if I decide to expand. Basically, I'm hoping to get "Prism" quality sound with the Apollo front end.
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