I recently decided to upgrade my audio interface and had read some great reviews online regarding Black Lion Audio's modifications to various equipment being largely positive across the board. I figured, since I'm upgrading my interface, I might as well mod it at the same time to get the most out of it.

As usual, Sweetwater was AWESOME! Very helpful and friendly in facilitating the hardware purchase as well as the Black Lion Audio Mod. Everything went pretty smoothly with the purchase and mod itself, however I would have appreciated actually getting a return tracking number sent back to me. I received only a generic 'your order is on it's way back' email, with no indication of when it would arrive - which would have been great to know since Black Lion Audio clearly states on their FAQ that they ship your hardware back to you requiring a direct signature which means someone has to be home at the time of delivery.


Fast forward - the mod is complete, I unbox my interface, and it's covered in oily fingerprints. I don't understand why Black Lion couldn't take a second to wipe the interface down and clean it back up before returning it to me - it was literally brand-new when it was sent to them. It should be returned in the same pristine condition.

I began to install it in my rack and went to connect up my various cables on the back of the Apollo only to discover the locking rings that secure the TRS connectors on the back of the box were all loose - some nearly falling off. I can't believe this was sent back to me without someone double checking or noticing this.

I decided to play it safe, pop the top off the unit and just take a peak to make sure the rest of the screws securing the board on the insider were tightened up - and I'm glad I did because not all of them were! Absolutely couldn't believe that Black Lion Audio - a company priding itself on taking your gear to the next level would have returned my interface in this condition.

I will say that the circuit modifications that they performed looked excellent - whomever actually did those knew what they were doing and was exceptionally good at it however - so that's the good news. The unit itself does sound nice, although as I purchased this new and immediately modded it - I have no real frame of reference of what their mod did as far as a direct before/after comparison. I will say that I honestly expected a bit more from a 3k interface paired with a 1k mod - as it doesn't sound 'that' much better than my old Focusrite Clarett+ 8pre interface. I still think it was a worthwhile upgrade though.


I think what irked me more than anything was the fact that I sent Black Lion Audio an email with pictures and a video showing the state the interface was returned to me in and they COULDN'T BE BOTHERED TO EVEN REPLY to me. Very disappointing. I would have expected at least SOME response, but was just left hanging - it's clear they just don't/didn't care.


For a modification costing me over $ - I expected more professionalism from Black Lion Audio. Given their complete lack of response - I would be reluctant to use them in the future or recommend them to anyone else.

This was a difficult review to do since I didn't initially have the Apollo 8 before the upgrade so I have
no way to compare it after the upgrade was performed. I waited one solid year to give this review in order
to fully experience it by tracking live instruments, mixing and mastering through the Apollo 8. I upgraded from an Apollo Twin. As always Sweetwater dis an excellent job putting this order together and making sure it was handled. Thanks to my Sales Engineer Chris Sonia. Great people at Sweetwater Music.

One part of the process that was irritating to me as a customer was that once the purchase was made from Sweetwater there really was no way to track the progress of the device. One day a month after the purchase I got an email with a Tracking #. There was no customer interaction from Black Lion Audio that was disappointing to me like... "We are happy you chose us and your audio gear is in good hands" etc.

On to the sound... I am not a professional at Mixing or Mastering, I write and arrange my own songs that may include (guitar both electric and acoustic, bass both synth and real, piano real) I've tracked via Mic and DI from an Axe FX etc. The A/D conversion and D/A with the Black Lion upgrade is excellent. The overall sound canvas or stereo image is wide and very detailed. Drum tracks are unbelievable! I love my Apollo 8 with the Black Lion Audio Upgrade. I would not hesitate to make this purchase again.