UA Apollo vs RME UFX blind test

[jipchen]

Some of you probably saw it on Gearslutz anyway: Someone made a blind test using the Universal Audio Apollo and the RME Fireface UFX. Pretty interesting comparison imo, especially since everyone seems to think the Apollo would be far better and on Gearslutz especially the RME stuff gets downplayed a lot lately - for no apparent reason other than them being biased gearslutz of course .
There are more samples (with him using a Y-cable so the take is exactly the same, and converter only tests) on the second page of the thread, and the results are some pages later.

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/so-m...e/720905-ua-apollo-vs-rme-ufx-blind-test.html

 

[egan.]

There is hype around GS for the UA b/c it's the new hot thing and also b/c there are a ton of dealers on that forum. I think the UA is a better bargain, but I was dumbfounded by how everyone "knew" the UA was better before anyone even had one.
I've been really pleased with my UFX so far. Listening to those samples I could easily be happy with either.

 

[Empathy]

I think the main appeal of the UA is the inbuilt DSP cards. You have to admit, it's pretty fucking neat.

Either way, can't listen to the clips since SoundCloud is down when I checked. I'll have a listen in the morning.

 

[Kazrog]

Really hard to state a preference here, for a variety of reasons. If they are that close, the Apollo is a hell of a great value. RME is a tough act to beat.

 

[Blacklight_Studio]

I heard UFX and I must say it may be the worst RME interface Ive heard. Can't say nothing about Apollo but it is killer looking at the spec's and seems to be well built.

 

[egan.]

Really? I A/B'd with the FF800 and the worst I could say is they were more or less identical.

 

[jipchen]

I heard UFX and I must say it may be the worst RME interface Ive heard. Can't say nothing about Apollo but it is killer looking at the spec's and seems to be well built.

...says the guy with the Digi003. Really? To what interface/converter did you compare it?
Also you should do the blind test I linked, and then tell me again how bad the UFX sounds

 

[crillemannen]

I heard UFX and I must say it may be the worst RME interface Ive heard. Can't say nothing about Apollo but it is killer looking at the spec's and seems to be well built.

Having a hard time to believe that. It is for sure a great interface but i think the pricing is a bit odd. To high for the home consumer and not that interesting for those who are aiming for highend (Lynx, SSl etc)

I would rather go for the 800 if would by a mid price interface.

 

[PhilTheBeard]

I stand firmly behind the ff800 and ufx both are super sick and sound great. never had a single problem with either of those unit's

 

[egan.]

Having a hard time to believe that. It is for sure a great interface but i think the pricing is a bit odd. To high for the home consumer and not that interesting for those who are aiming for highend (Lynx, SSl etc)

I would rather go for the 800 if would by a mid price interface.

I just checked the price and I totally see why you would say that now. I only paid $1700 for my UFX new from a dealer that's now selling it for $2300. The flexibility of USB/Firewire is really nice.

 

[Uros]

At the risk of sounding like a complete idiot I'm just gonna ask you - egan, does that mean that you can use both, USB and FW at the same time (i.e. one of them like a backup connection), or it's just a convenience in that that you can use either one of them depending on your computer?
I'm suspecting it's the later.

 

[egan.]

I believe it's only one or the other. I've been using mostly USB and have been really impressed with the reliability as well as the internal mix engine.

 

[Zozobra]

Uros, I believe its just to have the option of either.

Massive Meh from me overall on the difference. I just and so barely prefered the UFX, but theres no difference to get excited about between them IMO.

I'll be sticking with my 800.

 

[Blacklight_Studio]

...says the guy with the Digi003. Really? To what interface/converter did you compare it?
Also you should do the blind test I linked, and then tell me again how bad the UFX sounds

)))good try man, but I have not been updating myspace for... 2 years or so now I guess, I am on PTHD 10 w HD omni now. And 003 was not so bad actualy
Here I found an interesting test on GS and UFX has realy strange marks for some reason )
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/gear...converter-da-ad-loopback-shootout-thread.html
It's not a blind test and I am not refering to it in any case but that gives you some info to think about