Well...
Audio Interface #4 and it actually works with no problems.
(I'm still pinching myself to see if I'm not dreaming)
Anyhow, been testing it and all. Digital with Kemper has no problems, but I stupidly haven't figured out how to keep the rest of the mix from printing on a take yet.
One weird thing DID happen, where I pressed "Direct Monitoring" in the DAW, heard a snap and the signal was very distorted. I had to reset the UA and it went away and didn't happen again.
Line in, sounds great. XLR too. The technology for using switchable Preamps is something else.
I did test recordings with the 610A, B and Neve (not the API as online listening had it too dark and muddy for me) and the Neve 1073 stood out so I bought it and re-tested it with Vocals. OMG, it's just what they say about Neve's. It's like the frequencies that had harshness disappeared. I was like "whut?!" but they were there on "neutral" and the other two preamps but gone with the Neve.
They bundled this with a BlueBird microphone. I'll have to test it against my TLM103. Because if it's good enough, I can sell the Neumann.
Also, I was playing with the 610A and B's settings and it responds just like my LA610 hardware. That was a surprise. So I tried and then bought the LA2A bundle and will test that tomorrow and if the compressor is as good, I can sell THAT hardware unit too. Then this Apollo will pay for itself and then some (I don't need the 8 i/o version)
So, I'm hoping this unit keeps working. It is solid as a brick. The metal is perhaps a tad thicker than the Kempers. And I like the locking power supply. Smart idea.
The control software is very easy to work with. So far I've been able to figure most things out without reading the manual yet. (I'm one of those guys)
I must say, I didn't like UA (for many many well deserved reasons) and I'm sure they will continue to piss me off royally, but they do make great sounding stuff. Just hope it's reliable. I emailed UA and ASKED them about reliability and they responded with a very thoughtful response that wasn't all hype and BS. Not scientific either, but they took my question seriously and answered with respect. I was impressed with Customer Service.
It IS expensive though, but they bundled the Bluebird mic for an extra $100 and I saw an opportunity to either add to the Mic locker or replace the other condenser.
My general impression, overall was: NEVE... WOW...
If the real thing is like that, it's worth more than any gear I've worked with. I "get" it now. When Andy of TAF said he profiled with a Neve board I knew they had something special, but until you hear it, even in this emulation, it's quite evidently a holy grail of assuaging tone problems and adding something, as I've heard it said, "hyper-real"