Thunderbolt Compatibility Questions (Old vs New Apollo)?

Quint

Venerated Member
1. I see in the announcement video that the "Silverface" Apollo will still have the capability to upgrade to TB by way of an installation card just like the old Apollos. Is the TB upgrade card for the new Silverface the same exact card as the one that a current Apollo owner can install? I'm asking because I currently own a MKI Apollo 16 and have kicked around the idea of getting a TB card eventually. If you guys are going to continue to make TB cards that will work in my MKI Apollo 16 then I'm okay with waiting a little longer to make that move. If not, then I suppose I should buy one of the current TB cards now before they run out. Thoughts?

2. Will there be any compatibility concerns between any of the following: Old Apollo, New Apollo, Old TB 1 card, Old TB 2 card, New TB card?

3. As for the new Silverface Apollo, will upgrading to TB on that unit also disable the firewire connection just as occurs when upgrading to TB with the TB 2 card on the old Apollos?
 

UniversalAudio

Official UA Representative
1. I see in the announcement video that the "Silverface" Apollo will still have the capability to upgrade to TB by way of an installation card just like the old Apollos. Is the TB upgrade card for the new Silverface the same exact card as the one that a current Apollo owner can install? I'm asking because I currently own a MKI Apollo 16 and have kicked around the idea of getting a TB card eventually. If you guys are going to continue to make TB cards that will work in my MKI Apollo 16 then I'm okay with waiting a little longer to make that move. If not, then I suppose I should buy one of the current TB cards now before they run out. Thoughts?

2. Will there be any compatibility concerns between any of the following: Old Apollo, New Apollo, Old TB 1 card, Old TB 2 card, New TB card?

3. As for the new Silverface Apollo, will upgrading to TB on that unit also disable the firewire connection just as occurs when upgrading to TB with the TB 2 card on the old Apollos?
Hi Quint,

1) The FireWire Apollos can be upgrade to Thunderbolt with the option card - just like the original Apollos. And, there are no plans to discontinue the Thunderbolt Option cards.

2) Original Apollos with Thunderbolt Option cards installed are completely compatible with the new Apollos. Both the TB1 and TB2 cards are compatible with no performance difference.

3) Yes, when you install Thunderbolt drivers on an Apollo, FireWire is completely disabled on the back panel - i.e. it can no longer function as a Thunderbolt-to-FireWire hub. Note that you can still use FireWire devices on the second Thunderbolt port on an Apollo using an Apple Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter. So, for $39 you're still able to use your FireWire stuff.

Cheers!

-GK
Gannon Kashiwa
 

YYR123

Established Member
Thank you Gannon. It’s still a timely answer
 
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