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Apogee Groove USB DAC and Headphone Amp

Digital to Analog Converter and Headphone Amplifier with 24-bit/192kHz Conversion Quality and USB Power - Mac/PC
19 Write review Item ID: Groove
$249.00

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Apogee Groove USB DAC and Headphone Amp
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Amazing Playback Quality for Mac and PC

Hear every detail of your music with outstanding sound quality anywhere and anytime, with the Apogee Groove portable USB DAC and headphone amp. Loaded with an ESS Sabre digital-to-analog converter and up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution, the Groove interface is the perfect solution for critical listening on your laptop. Sweetwater's Sales Engineers have recommended Apogee's portable interfaces for years as solid solutions for high-quality portable monitoring, and the ultra-compact Apogee Groove brings you stellar D/A conversion and USB convenience in the most portable design yet.

Related Videos: Groove USB DAC and Headphone Amp

When you need stellar sound, but don't need a full audio interface

Whether you're producing tracks in a hotel room on your laptop, auditioning a mix away from your studio, or any other situation that requires high-quality audio playback, you'll be well served with the Apogee Groove portable USB DAC and headphone amplifier. You get some of Apogee's best-sounding conversion with the simplicity of two buttons for volume control. And because it's powered via USB, just keep the Apogee Groove in your laptop bag and you'll always have studio-quality headphone monitoring within reach.

Apogee Groove USB Headphone Amplifier Features:
  • Portable DAC and headphone amp with exceptional sound quality for Mac/PC and 2018 USB-C iPad Pro
  • Stellar sound quality from ESS Sabre DAC, Constant Current Drive, and Quad Sum DAC technology
  • Perfect for auditioning mixes accurately away from your studio system
  • USB powered for maximum portability and convenience
  • Simple operation with two top-panel buttons for volume control
Apogee sound quality is more accessible than ever with the Groove USB DAC!

Warranty Info

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  • Get back to making music with the industry's fastest turnaround time
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Tech Specs

  • Computer Connectivity: USB 2.0 (USB-C compatible with adapter)
  • Form Factor: Portable
  • A/D Resolution: 24-bit/192kHz
  • Analog Outputs: 1 x 1/8" (headphones/out)
  • USB: 1 x Micro-B
  • OS Requirements - Mac: OS X 10.8.5 or later
  • OS Requirements - PC: Windows 7 SP1 or later
  • Bus Powered: Yes
  • Height: 0.63"
  • Width: 1.18"
  • Depth: 3.74"
  • Manufacturer Part Number: Groove

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Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5

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Pristine Sound

Apogee is synonymous with quality. This device will enhance your monitoring capabilities and improve your mixes.
by Sweetwater Customer from CT on
Music background: Songwriter/Musician/Producer

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!
by Ted L from Kalamazoo on
Music background: Engineer, Musician, Audio Enthusiast

Amazing, beautiful sound, better than more expensive DAC's

This DAC sounds amazing!

PROS:

Transparent, beautiful, sweet, wide, immersive analog sound with black background.

Doesn't add coloration like the brand-specific tonality of some other DAC's.

Pure and warm, like analog should sound, not cold or bright.

Lows reach as deep as the music goes, while some other DAC's just don't reach those depths.

Goes up to 192/24.

Solid, click-press button volume control buttons that go in small increments so you can get it exactly where you want it. Can't accidentally hit a deafening volume with an accidental touch like another DAC.

Sturdy casing and outstanding build quality. I've had build quality issues with other DAC's, some serious despite their cost.

Made in the USA.

2 great quality cables included, no upgrades needed.

Works easily with Windows 11 laptop (Samsung 360 Galaxy) and JRiver Media Center 64-bit.

CONS:

The only issue is when connecting to an iPhone. When using the recommended Apple USB Camera 3 adapter and connecting to an iPhone 12 Max and that phone's power adapter, it can sometimes take up to a minute to fully connect/boot (when the blue light is steady indicating it's ready). If it doesn't boot, it sometimes needs to be reconnected for another try. Still worth it for the sound. With a Windows 10 laptop, however, it boots fast, in one second.

Although I liked how some other DAC's confirmed the audio resolution input (192, 96, 88, 44.1) via different color LED's or a display, those DAC's didn't sound nearly as good as this, so I can certainly live without it.

MY USE:
System and headphone playback of lossless AIFF, FLAC and WAV from 44.1/16 to 192/24, with the best, non-brickwalled, masterings of mostly rock (classic rock, hard rock, heavy metal), with some jazz, popular and classical.

BOTTOM LINE:
Both sound quality and build quality easily beat other the top brand DAC's I've had which were up to $.
by Sweetwater Customer from USA on
Music background: musician and audiophile

Stunning sound

The whole spectrum of sound go throughout you with this remarkable device!
by Joe Rush from PA on
Music background: Serious composer including 29 large piano concertos.

First Rate - Worth the price

I have 2 interfaces with excellent D to A convertors. This little apogee gives me the sonic integrity I am used to when I have my interfaces out in the field.
by Sweetwater Customer on
See also: Home Headphone Amps and DACs, Apogee, Apogee Home Headphone Amps & DACs
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