(Just launched) Apogee Duet 2

I just bought a used original duet about a month ago... I hope it's not a big jump in playback quality that will make me try to sell the one I have.


Edit: well.. It probably is that much better but not worth switching for that price compared to what I paid.
Edited by hakuryuu - 3/30/11 at 11:52pm

I am getting one. And a new MacBook air.

hubba hubba!

I like the old styling more. :(

I agree. But as far as recording goes this looks to be a lot more functional. I am surprised by their choice to go usb 2.0.

 

It's not bus powered is it ?

It is BUS Powered.  I liked the original a lot.  I may get this one when it hits the streets.  I have the Mini DAC for bed side use, but this one is much simpler.  

 

What? they drop firewire and go with USB 2.0, this makes no sense, this will cripple it's performance

I don't think that bandwidth is really an issue . . . assuming you can find a dedicated USB channel to plug into. As the name suggests, you can only record two inputs anyway. I wonder about only getting 5V (versus FireWire's 12V), but I'm sure Apogee wouldn't have gone with USB 2.0 if this was an issue. Apogee aren't exactly babe's in the woods when it comes to audio . . .

Duet 2 comes with a DC adapter. I wonder if that will really give more power to drive headphones or for other purposes. Although that makes it "less" transportable, but at least it's nice to have the option when you need more power.

Bandwidth is no issue no, but USB 2.0 is half duplex while firewire is full duplex, this enables firewire to send and receive data simultaneously.

This makes firewire more efficient, especially with multichannel audio.

 I can see being more comfortable recording over FireWire, but for use as a DAC? Maybe I under-appreciate my Duet . . .

As a DAC for music/movie streaming there is no need to worry, but if you play games or use DAW's, firewire will perform noticeably better.

Has anyone used it yet?  Any reports on the sound of its headphone out?