Apogee Groove
- Portable USB DAC and headphone amp for Mac and PC
- Includes USB cable
- Ideal for listening to Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC)
- Multi-color LEDs for status and level indication
- Premium aluminum build quality
- Built-in the USA
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ WOW !!!!
Since the pandemic, I’ve been working from home, which means I get to work in my office that is also my mix room at my house. I’ve been using my MAC onboard outputs to listen to music for years now, feeding my studio controller and ATC monitors, which was already AMAZING. This Apogee Groove box enhanced the audio by at least 60%, probably more. Clarity is noticeable across the spectrum. I really hear it in critical mid range details, voices, acoustic instruments, etc. and really in cymbal details as they tail off, etc. I mix without a DAW so I’m “out of the box” and a audio friend recommend I try a DAC. This was is cost effective, solidly built, and just amazing audio. Tiny 1″ wide x 3″ long and 5/8″ thick, little brick. I LOVE IT !!!! If you just need a couple channels of amazing DAC output, this thing is awesome. Thanks!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Exactly what I needed
I could not be happier with this purchase. I originally bought a Dragonfly Red DAC off of Amazon for the same price and it was a piece of junk. Seriously, I don’t get the hype. It would crackle no matter which driver I used and not pick up on the initial transients of sounds, making it useless as a music producer that needs to hear the very beginning clicks of kicks drums. I tried on two different computers, a 2015 Mac and my Windows PC with significantly better specs. I couldn’t even tell the difference in audio quality compared to just my regular headphone jack. I originally though that maybe I got a faulty device and I ended up getting a replacement and guess what? Same exact problem. The company also tried telling me that this is normal behavior and downplaying the issue. So I returned it and bought the Apogee Groove instead. This is EXACTLY what I needed. It is weighted and better build quality than what it looks like in the picture. I downloaded the apogee driver and instantly it was working flawlessly and the audio quality is great. The only downside is that I can’t use it with my iPhone, but that isn’t what I needed it for in the first place. If you’re a music producer looking for a nice portable DAC to use like an interface, go with this one. And if you’re considering this or the Dragonfly Red then I cannot emphasize it enough that this blows it out of the water for the same price.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stunning Sound
The whole spectrum of sound go throughout you with this remarkable device!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Essential addition to my mac mini!
No matter what I am listening to with my HD 650 headphones from my mac, this lets me hear it properly at last! If you are using mac’s headphone jack as I was you will perceive the hoped for night to day difference. It does get hot so I unplug it when not in use.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Absolutely astounding!
I listen to headphones all day at work. About two years back I treated myself to the Focal Spirit Pro and I was blown away at the time. Lately, I wanted more so I purchased this DAC. The difference in sound compared to my laptop output is absolutely night and day. It brought the Focals to life! So powerful and smooth. I also like how the windows 10 volume slider (and any controls on your keyboard) now operate the analog out of the Apogee. Awesome!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Excellent DAC with high quality headphone amp
The first thing that struck me about the Apogee Groove when I plugged it into my mac was the amount of detail and space my music exhibits with the Groove in comparison with my other headphone amps and DAC’s. The DAC is similar to the DAC used in my Apogee Duet 2, but is more detailed and does a much better job powering my headphones, especially my low impedance ones like my AKG K553 Pro and Philips SHP9500. My Sennheiser HD600’s also sound better than they ever have out of the Groove, but I use the AKG and Philips headphones more with the Groove, as I prefer their more detailed and accurate spatial presentation vs the HD600. Back to the Groove, it also does a phenomenal job as a DAC going into my home setup, with the volume turned down to avoid overloading the input of my home equipment. It is capable of producing 5V RMS out of its output, so you have to be careful when using it as a DAC, but when you do, it will likely sound better than most audiophile DAC’s on the market due to the abundance of clean, clear detail and excellent sense of space and instrument separation that the Groove exhibits. With high quality headphones, the Groove shines as a headphone amp/DAC and I have a feeling that it would be even better if I were using HD800’s or other headphones of that caliber. But even with my more modest headphones, I am hearing better detail and clarity than my audiophile speaker setup is capable of reproducing. Highly recommended!
