But you're running it through a powered USB hub no? I tried it straight with the camera kit, powering the Duet w/ power chord and no luck. It always complains it's drawing too much power
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
The "I've got the Apogee Duet 2 on pre-order" thread!
- Thread starter nightmaresonwax
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
But you're running it through a powered USB hub no? I tried it straight with the camera kit, powering the Duet w/ power chord and no luck. It always complains it's drawing too much power
FYI. The rep at Sweetwater called me yesterday and said they had received the Duet 2 and mine was ready to ship. However, the break out box they had not received. I told him to wait until Monday before shipping in case the break out arrives. I placed my order on 4/29.
I received mine from Sweetwater today and have been messing around with it for a few hours. It's amazing! So much louder than my original Duet. Much clearer highs, mids and lows (others have said that they think it sounds muddy, but I disagree). I am very impressed with everything about it except the external build quality. Don't get me wrong it's not bad build quality it just doesn't stand up to the build quality of the original at all. I usually record vocals, saxophone and guitar. So far I've tested acoustic guitar and vocals and I'm very impressed with the results. No problems at all with latency, no pops or clicks whatsoever! Fantastic product!!
I am extremely pleased with my purchase. The wait was hard, but I am glad that I went with Apogee once again.
I am extremely pleased with my purchase. The wait was hard, but I am glad that I went with Apogee once again.
My first impressions are VERY negative I'm afraid.
Most importantly, I think the headphone sound is a big step backwards from the Duet 1. I had only praise for that marvelous original unit as a headphone amplifier. Now I feel like an imbecile for selling it before I'd tested out the Duet 2. The new unit sounds cold and analytical, lacking any sweetness and sounds... well, digital. After a full day (and evening) of use, I've yet to hear one recording that I've enjoyed via the Duet 2.
Does it need "breaking in"? That would be a blessing, but I don't think that will overcome this unenjoyable, sterile sound. To be fair, I have only listened through headphones thus far, and not through my Focal monitors. Headphones used include Sennheiser 600, Shure 840, some Beyer and Sony monitors.
This unit seems like an exercise in turning listening back to charmless early digital sterility.
I bought this from Sweetwater. I can't think much beyond returning it, but I've no idea what I'd go for instead. This is quite disastrous, actually.
Of course, if there is any improvement with more hours use, or if my ears adapt to the new characteristics, I'll report back, but I'm pessimistic.
PS: Is the USB connection to the Duet 2 really meant to be so tight? And the plastic top is horrible – like the black shiny plastic on cheap printers and TV, where the reflections are wavy and appearance is grubby after any handling. A simple wipe scratches. This will soon look like junk unless it's never touched.
Most importantly, I think the headphone sound is a big step backwards from the Duet 1. I had only praise for that marvelous original unit as a headphone amplifier. Now I feel like an imbecile for selling it before I'd tested out the Duet 2. The new unit sounds cold and analytical, lacking any sweetness and sounds... well, digital. After a full day (and evening) of use, I've yet to hear one recording that I've enjoyed via the Duet 2.
Does it need "breaking in"? That would be a blessing, but I don't think that will overcome this unenjoyable, sterile sound. To be fair, I have only listened through headphones thus far, and not through my Focal monitors. Headphones used include Sennheiser 600, Shure 840, some Beyer and Sony monitors.
This unit seems like an exercise in turning listening back to charmless early digital sterility.
I bought this from Sweetwater. I can't think much beyond returning it, but I've no idea what I'd go for instead. This is quite disastrous, actually.
Of course, if there is any improvement with more hours use, or if my ears adapt to the new characteristics, I'll report back, but I'm pessimistic.
PS: Is the USB connection to the Duet 2 really meant to be so tight? And the plastic top is horrible – like the black shiny plastic on cheap printers and TV, where the reflections are wavy and appearance is grubby after any handling. A simple wipe scratches. This will soon look like junk unless it's never touched.
Last edited:
This is a terrible design choice. I thought they may have learned from the ONE. On my ONE fingerprints stick out like a sore thumb on the shiny surface and then wiping it clean with the ultra-soft cloth that came with my mac scratches it like hell.
I respect your opinion, and respectfully, disagree.
I'm quite shocked by your statements - to my ears the headphone amp is significantly better than the first gen Duet. It's quite clearly a louder amp, at the same time more detailed and crisp through the entire frequency range... My Beyers are singing with it.
When you're referring to this sterile and analytical sound that lacks sweetness, I'm left wondering what you expect from high-end amps? That neutral sound you're hearing is exactly what makes this device so brilliant, and exactly what you should be looking for in an audio interface. If you're after color, you should look more towards a dedicated analog mic preamp...
I think you are looking for a tube amp and converter for your headphone listening purposes. The Duet is a higher end device aimed for critical listening and recording, hence the great pre-amps for its price...
I also respectfully disagree with your statement that it's a step backward. I know marketing can be sly and deceptive, but Apogee wouldn't make the claim that the pres in the Duet 2 are on par with the Symphony I/O lightly, which is their flagship audio interface.
I can't agree more with you nightmaresonwax.
I was listening yesterday with my Grado RS2i headphones and it was amazing!! To get such an accurate and neutral reproduction of sound with a device that sits in most enthusiast's price range is almost unparallelled in today's market. I'm not sure I've heard anything better in this price range. The neutrality of the device is what makes is so amazing!! It's true to it's source!!
You don't want Monitors that color your sound when you mix your music do you? What kind of mix would you get. If you mix like that you wont get an accurate representation of your source recording on any system you play it on. That's why any of the Hi-Fidelity equipment that you might find any Audiophile using for their music listening doesn't color the sound. The average person will tell you that music needs lots of bass and needs to be loud. Often times neutrality and clarity aren't words you'll hear from a consumer; therefore the products that fit their targeted price point won't offer such things and for that purpose any consumer grade peace of hardware will not give an accurate reproduction of the source material (sadly some pro gear acts this way as well). The best music is produced with equipment that's true (neutral) to it's source or origin. If you record, mix and listen with neutral equipment then you are getting a true sound that best represents said source material. If you listen to that content with a device that provides a true/neutral response then you'll get an accurate representation of they way that music was recorded and intended to be heard. I repeat, if you want to listen to music the way it was intended; the way a composer, artist, or recording engineer wanted it to be heard then you want [a] neutral device(s) that give(s) a naked and uncolored/unaltered reproduction of sound.
I'm not saying the Duet 2 is the best piece of hardware out there, but I am saying it's perhaps the best for the money your actually spending and what you get out of it for the money spent. It's definitely not right for everyone, some people just might not like the neutral sound reproduction or have the need for more I/O. There is no way most professionals will make their master recordings on the Duet 2 because there truly is a vast amount of hardware that's much more capable in every way and that quality is mirrored by it's price tag (usually). I'm surprised though, that so many members of the Gearslutz forum have felt the same way that Sir Cecil does. If you want to read up on their responses then you can find the thread that refers to the Duet 2: here.
As for me...I'm pleasantly surprised with my purchase and highly recommend it to anyone. It's always good to base your future purchase off the opinions of forum members, but personal experience is what matters most. I almost canceled my pre-order because of some initial opinions. I'm extremely happy that I didn't. If you like the sound of the original Duet I'm sure there are still a few new ones floating around and many used ones for a decent price.
Last edited:
While you're here, could you tell me about the USB fitting on your Duet 2. Plugging the USB cable into my Duet, it is exceptionally snug, having to be eased into place with some force, rather than inserted in a more expected manner. One good thing is that unlike some USB devices there is no play when it's inserted, so maybe Apogee has designed this to be a particularly solid fit? Also, the metal part of the USB plug only goes in two-thirds of the way, with the other third of the metal sticking out from the Duet. Operates ok, but looks odd, as if it is not fully inserted. Is yours like this? Thanks!
I also noticed that mine fits rather snug as well. I don't recall how far out it sits after being plugged in. When I tried to plug it in the first time I thought I had the connector upside down because it fits so snug. Normal USB type B receptacles never have such a tight fit, at least that I've ever seen. I think it might loosen up over time, maybe. Hopefully it is by design and not a manufacture defect.
Aside from how much I love it's sound I think you're spot on about the plastic. I think they will regret choosing it over glass and might in the near future end up revising the build; replacing the plastic with glass. Since there was no end user input about a display on the original (there wasn't one) I think they just didn't give it any thought. It was a poor decision on their part for sure.
If they do decide to make a future design change of the Duet 2 from the plastic to glass do you think for those who purchased it already will be able to get it serviced for a replacement? I cringe every time I read Duet 2, and plastic in the same sentence. ... cringes...
Whoever comes up with a custom ghost armor design for the Duet 2 might be able to make some bucks. I know I would buy one quick.
Last edited:
This product has the look and feel of a prototype. A whole level of fit and finish seems to have been left out. The silver paint has a model kit feel to it. Even the grit-attracting rubber "mat" on the bottom has ragged edges and the cutout for the serial number badge is askew.
I'm amazed the top brass at Apogee let this through.
The news on this piece just keeps getting worse. I guess I will see for myself tomorrow.
On a much more positive note, a morning listening on my Focal CMS 65 monitors has been very pleasing. So perhaps I need to give the headphone listening side of things a bit more time, to adjust to the difference I'm hearing. Could be that some particular phones that sounded well with the old model are not so ideal with the new unit, and phones with some different characteristics will do better. At least, that's what the very good speaker sound suggests to me.
I'm glad you like what your hearing out of your focals. I will be testing this baby out with some bm5a's first thing. I have read some people now stating that it is brutally honest as far as preamps, and conversion. More so than the Duet 1. Which to me is great. I would rather know exactly what I'm dealing with rather than the interface masking it up for me.
Also, after reading about the easily scratchable plastic surface on this piece that is being mentioned, I want to come up with a ghost armor type material for it. iphone has it, why can't this? It can't be all that hard to get somebody to cut it can it?
Tomorrow couldn't come any sooner. I'm getting antsy.
Also, after reading about the easily scratchable plastic surface on this piece that is being mentioned, I want to come up with a ghost armor type material for it. iphone has it, why can't this? It can't be all that hard to get somebody to cut it can it?
Tomorrow couldn't come any sooner. I'm getting antsy.
Zagg formally know as Invisible Shield will do custom work for any product you want covered. They were the original iPod and iPhone clear/ghost shield makers. I worked for them when they were a startup company. I think I'll take my Duet 2 in and get a custom shield made for the plastic faceplate. From what I recall they add all custom orders to their online database so others can then order the same thing. Hopefully they still do that. I'll let you guys know when I get around to it.
Please note that Apogee's installation notes say that the touch controls of the fascia do NOT work with their own thin plastic protection layer in place. I didn't check that before I peeled it off and threw it away, but that's what it says. So it would be best to check a sample of the material for operational integrity before paying to have it cut and shaped etc.
Same here, it works fine with it on. I'm planning on leaving it on until I can at least test to see if the stuff from Zagg will work. If it won't work then that sucks big time. If I ever get around to it I'll let everyone know how it works.
Yes, please do that.
In the meantime, whether it's because the unit has an additional 15 or 16 hours on the clock, or more likely because my ears are adjusting to the different characteristics of the sound, I have to say things are sounding a whole lot better through headphones than they did for the first few hours.
I'm really glad to hear that, because I was getting worried that they had some huge issue with quality control or something like that.