Black Lion Audio Premium mod with new apollo 8

Interesting results. Would love to know more about what we are hearing here though, as well as the original source for control. The fellas at BLA are no slouches, and I think they can probably figure out a way or two to gain some performance from any interface. Also, their clock is the exception to all my previous listening tests. It's the only time I've ever admitted to hearing a difference (improvement?) in a converter when implementing and external clock. I did not always prefer it, however. On some content I thought the MC brought additional detail and depth but at the cost of some warmth. When using the Dangerous DA the effects of the MC were negated, and as far as I'm concerned inaudible.

The BLA mod to the original Apollo was a worthwhile upgrade IMO. I still have mine and like it a lot. Aside from their "special method" of decoupling the AD and DA they swapped all the JRC 5532s with OPA2134s (they are everywhere). They also replaced signal path surface mount capacitors with audiophile grade (Nichicon Fine Golds) or high grade polypros. The clock is left alone unless you opt for the external clock, but that upgrade can be added to any system regardless of whether you mod the box.

Yep, the mods are expensive, but they usually improve performance enough that people love em, and the surface mount parts on these interface are SMALL and really close together. Even a DIY pro stands a good chance of screwing something up, even if you have the eyesight to see what you're doing. I guess they can only do so many mods, and so they charge what they need to be profitable. Keep in mind they do pretty extensive testing and experimentation to find the sweet spot, so if you like the results it's probably worth it. Usually their mods have better re-sale too, so it's not as big a hit when you sell.

As for the new Apollos, the 8 channel box that I have seen and heard is certainly an upgrade from the original, non-modded Apollo. The converters are decoupled from the factory, they are now doing parallel conversion on the inputs (same chips, just twice as many of them), and they have replaced the Crystal DA chip with AKM's recently released flagship DA. I know the 16 uses the sabre chips everyone wishes were in the 8 channel boxes, but I guess UA has to differentiate somehow. They also stopped using the cheaper JRC op-amps throughout, and while they are still using 5532s they are now using genuine TI parts. The NJM2068s (also dumped by the BLA gen 1 mod) are replaced by National 49720s, which are quality op-amps and up to the task. You still have the same clock system, and some surface mount capacitors in the signal path so sure, there's still room for the BLA treatment here. I trust BLA so if they swap parts I'm sure there's good reason.

That said, I like the new version better than the stock silverface. I may like it better than my BLA silverface, but I haven't had the time to get really deep into comparing them. FWIW, I am not using the BLA clock anymore. My intent was to do a deep dive into the differences and do some meaningful comparisons but summer never leaves me with a lot of free time.

When jim Williams speaks I always listen, but curious as to why he felt the crystal chips were a limiting factor in the silverface (BTW, as noted they are gone from the new version). They are an older chip yes, but have been utilized in some great sounding interfaces (Aurora, Orpheus to name a couple) so they can work well with good design. Sure you won't find them in a true mastering grade converter, but for a multi-channel interface they always seemed up to the task. Anyway, the new AKM DA looks pretty nice on paper, and the AKM AD chip was always their flagship part.

I wish BLA would give us details about what we are hearing in the samples, as well as provide the original. Also, I think it's a pretty lame cut for this type of test. I certainly wouldn't want to drop my money on a mod based on that alone. Frankly, their reputation would do more to sway me.

Excuse any typos. i have a 4 year old on my back begging me to come play as I type this! lol

I asked bla for the session file they politely said no!

Because people here asked for it to run through their interfaces: I guess for further comparisons ?

Having the files serves exactly 0 purpose unless u have a modded, unmodded apollo, and a mk3.

isn't that what you already get with the current files they offer? I may be confused....

I hear ya S, but if it were my co following their experience, i'd say "here it is, come n get it", i'd offer no more info than what is right here for your naked ears to listen too". BLA was subject to immense amounts of naysaying from everyone(mostly loud guys who've never used their mods) when they first came out, they have persevered through it because their stuff is really very good, and I believe now they press forward with a well earned, and righteous chip on their shoulder, so would I.

secondly i'd add, in recent months i've learned that their is no such thing as a "neutral/transparent converter", all that i've heard add something different to what they're fed ime.

What chip is UAD using to drive the lines? I actually asked ross change his design to accommodate very good op amps in place of sub par line drivers, i wonder if the same could be done to these Apollo's?
    I realise that everything is made to a price point, but if they just took care of this stuff from the onset, it wouldn't have cost that much more, and the difference a vastly superior product would make in the quantity of sales, would have made up for a loss of profit by smaller unit sales expectations, and went toward building a great reputation for their stuff(cheaper than advertising). This BLA sample will hurt them, as it should, it proves that profit is put over sonics at UAD, even if that isn't the goal of their business model, they can never let it get out that that is the case, BLA just outed them.

of course JMO, YMMV