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REVIEW: Apogee Digital Groove DAC Processors

Model:	Groove
Category:	DAC Processors
Suggested Retail Price:	$299
Description:	Portable USB DAC/Headphone Amp
Manufacturer URL:	Apogee Digital
Model Picture:	View

Review by AbeCollins on January 04, 2018 at 13:36:19 IP Address: 73.229.29.71

Add Your Review for the Groove

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I had the $200 USD Meridian Explorer 2 DAC for a while that I described as "flat, bland, a little compressed and 'lifeless'. It lacks dynamic range and transparency or clarity. This is what I hear in the Meridian Explorer 2 even against the simple headphone jacks on my computers." In other words the Meridian Explorer 2 does more harm than good in my setup since the computer headphone jack direct to my system sounds better. Time to move on.

Enter the Apogee Groove. Here's a small $300 MSRP* DAC from Apogee Digital, a company with nearly no presence in the audiophile community yet they produce outstanding pro audio gear in use worldwide. I first became aware of Apogee Digital over a decade ago having experienced their Duet and Mini-DAC.

The Apogee Groove is a portable USB DAC/headphone amp that is actually smaller than the Explorer 2 but it sounds so much better in every respect compared to the Meridian product.

The Groove won't do MQA but it supports 'hi-res' PCM and up to DSD512. But specs can be deceiving and we all know that the proof is in how the device makes our music sound in our systems.

The Groove DAC is highly dynamic, very transparent and clear. It is not soft, bland, or lifeless.... and it actually improves upon the quality of sound in my setup vs the computer headphone jack. The Groove also offers pretty decent bass that is tight with good transient snap along with a robust midrange. Treble is good, not rolled off but it's not bright or annoying.

Here's a case of excellent performance from a pro audio company vs lackluster performance from a well known audiophile brand.

Apogee Groove, it's a keeper! I sent the Meridian back.

*Apogee Groove portable USB DAC/Headphone amp: $300 MSRP, $235 recent purchase on Amazon December 2017.

Apogee Groove DAC has micro-USB on one end, 3.5mm audio jack on the other.

Apogee Groove DAC on Mac Mini. Up/Down volume control can be disabled in software as I did in Roon setup.

Device setup screen shot from Roon on iPad. Volume control can be 'fixed' in another setup screen.

Playing 24/192 PCM material via Roon to Apogee Groove DAC.

24/96 PCM playback via Roon to Apogee Groove DAC.

Playing 16/44.1 ALAC lossless file ripped from CD through Groove DAC.

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Product Weakness:	Relatively unknown brand to audiophiles
Product Strengths:	Transparent, dynamic, robust, smooth. Drives headphones as well as main system with sufficient drive and dynamics.

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Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier:	Ayre AX-7e Integrated Amp
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	None
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Mac Mini + Roon + Tidal
Speakers:	Tannoy Definition D500
Cables/Interconnects:	DH Labs Air Matrix
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Various Jazz, Rock, Folk, Blues
Room Size (LxWxH):	12 x 14 x 10
Room Comments/Treatments:	Home Office Setup
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	12-VDC LPS powering Mac Mini
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

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