This is a great audio interface that checks several boxes. The boxes for me were higher quality conversion that i could hear (not just on paper specs), great preamps, virtual channel strip, high quality headphone port that can push pro headphones which ohms require more power, and portability to work with my windows based studio and my ipad when I'm portable.I have several hardware devices I use before going digital into my DAW and the symphony replaces them. I have a SSL interface, focusrite 18i20, UA710 preamp, 1176 compressor, dbx160 compressor, neve clone preamp with eq, and a pultec emulation eq. This hardware equipment has not been used since I got this interface. It’s allows me to have great preamps, compressors and eq in the studio and on the go in a small box with one cable to set it up. The symphony preamp is clean, my least favorite. If I want clean I’ll use my UA 710 and bypass the preamps (which you can do on the symphony). The AP66 neve clone is my favorite. It adds color and warmth but not too much like the Apogee AP57 preamp that is included. If I push the AP57 a little you can hear the harmonics and distortion which is good in certain applications but the AP66 is my default using either my AKG414, lauteen audio 387, or sm7b. For my taste, the AKG414 sounds better with this box’s preamps but every recording is different. The compressors that it comes with are nice. I’m a 1176 compressor guy buy I am starting to like the LA3A. It is very transparent. The… read more equalizers are okay. I like the pultec emulations and the distortion included on the ECS channel strip. Cons - the user interface is not responsive sometimes. Routinely I have to push the button several times before it responds. It happens more when using the included preamps, eq, and compressors interface. It has optical in and out but I would prefer more analog inputs and outputs. I wish it had more “plugins” like a vocal tuner, reverb, and 1176 compressor. The included reverb can only be used in the DAW and I get the rationality but I would like the option to offload it to the dsp in symphony since I'm barely using the dsp power it has. I would also like the ability to use the additional plugins you can buy for the DAW (which I have) on my ipad as well.

Sound
The sound quality is clean going in and has even allowed me to hear more clarity in my studio monitors.

Features
Most useful - the converters and included preamp emulations. Least useful - One set of analog outputs

Ease of Use
It is easy to get a good sound from this interface. Plug in your mic and you will instantly hear the quality of the converters. Choose if you want to record through the included eq, compressors or just monitor through them and record. It’s that simple.

Quality
The product is solid. My only concern would be the touch screen which is unresponsive at times and the knob. The knob is used to do everything, select, press enter, change settings, etc. Not sure it feels sturdy enough to last years if not handled with care. Other than those two things it feels very solid and the connections are great.

Value
I think all in all it is worth it but I definitely think it would be a bigger competitor in the $800 price bracket of interfaces. Don’t get me wrong it is an amazing interface but at roughly $1500 and with companies like audient it becomes harder.

Manufacturer Support
I reached out to Apogee when I got the unit to help register and ask questions. They responded promptly and kindly. No issues.

The Wow Factor
The looks of it is appealing which is important when recording clients. If something looks nice and expensive, it draws better performances out of clients. It’s just the nature of things I think.

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