Universal Audio · Pro · Thunderbolt · 2018 on
Universal Audio launched the Apollo x8 in September 2018 with the rest of the Apollo X racks, and pitched it as the studio centrepiece of the range. It has four Unison mic preamps, all four able to run Neve, API, Manley or SSL preamp models, plus eight line inputs and outputs, two front Hi-Z inputs, two headphone outputs, dual ADAT, S/PDIF and word clock. Processing is Hexa, six SHARC chips. There's no Octo x8. The eight-preamp model is a different interface, the x8p. In October 2024 UA launched a grey Gen 2 with better conversion and Auto-Gain, still Hexa. It suits a project studio that tracks a band a few mics at a time and mixes on UAD plug-ins. A black Gen 1 x8 with its locking power supply is the one to hunt.
In the photos
From the front it looks like an x6, so check the rear photo. The x8 has four XLR mic inputs and eight line inputs. An x8p has eight XLR mic inputs, and the older Apollo 8 has a Thunderbolt 2 port and no x in its name. Gen 1 (2018) has a black front panel and Gen 2 (2024) a pale grey one.
Mac and Windows
Current UAD software supports it on macOS 11 Big Sur through 26 Tahoe, Apple silicon included (with Reduced Security and kernel extensions allowed), and on 64-bit Windows 10 or 11 with a Thunderbolt 3, 4 or 5 port. UA says AMD PCs are untested. Gen 1 needs UAD v9.6.1 or later and Gen 2 needs v11.5.0 or later.
Power, cables and licences
Check the listing photos against this list, and ask the seller about anything you can’t see. A missing power supply or a licence that won’t transfer should come off the price.
UA's manual says to switch the x8 off before connecting or disconnecting its supply, and to use only the factory supply on its locking XLR plug. On Windows, UA's Thunderbolt guide has you disable Thunderbolt power management and review BIOS settings, so do that before blaming the unit for dropouts.
Buying your first one? How to pick a first used interface covers inputs, mic gain and drivers, and the power supply guide covers which ones need their adapter.
Buying guide
We'd buy the black first-generation x8 at $1,989 with free shipping from a 100% seller, about $900 under the median, as long as the seller confirms UA's locking supply comes with it. There are at least 17 for sale and most ask $2,575–3,000 delivered, but that's new and refurbished Gen 2 dealer stock at $2,361–3,299, and the only other used Gen 1 here is an auction at $527 delivered with 4 bids that will climb. Gen 1 has a black front panel and Gen 2 a pale grey one, and the rear photo should show four XLR mic inputs and eight line inputs, since an x6 looks the same from the front. It runs only on UA's factory supply with a 4-pin locking XLR plug and needs a real Thunderbolt 3 or 4 cable, so pick one with the supply or budget for the factory one. New dealer bundles include their Essentials+, Studio+ or Analog Classics plug-ins, but on a used unit those move only through UA's transfer form, and UA's warranty covers the original owner only.
$526.81est. delivered
An auction at $374 with 4 bids plus $153 shipping, $527 delivered for now, and it will climb. The photo shows a black Gen 1 with a power supply on top, so ask for the rear panel to confirm it's an x8.
Universal Audio Apollo x8 Rackmount Thunderbolt Interface, 4 Mic Inputs
$1,989.00delivered
A black Gen 1 at $1,989 with free shipping from a 100% seller, about $900 under the median and well under the Gen 2 dealer stock. The title names no supply, so ask for the 4-pin locking supply and a rear photo showing four XLR inputs.
Apollo X8 Professional Thunderbolt Audio Interface UAD-2
$2,609.10delivered
Sweetwater's refurbished Gen 2 at $2,609 with free shipping, the least guesswork for a working x8 here. The title names UAD Analog, so ask which plug-ins come with the refurb.
Universal Audio Apollo x8 Gen 2 Thunderbolt Audio Interface with UAD Analog
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 14, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 14, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$526.81est. delivered
$374.00 + $152.81 shipping
Auction · 4 bids · ends in 4d 20h
Good buy
Auction with 4 bids, so the price will climb. $153 shipping.
Seller: forantonb2
100% positive
Used$1,989.00delivered
$1,989.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$1,989.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Black Gen 1. The seller has a second listing with the same title.
Seller: mobilelab
100% positive
Refurbished$2,609.10delivered
$2,609.10 · free shipping
Buy It Now$2,609.10
Good buy
Refurbished Gen 2 from Sweetwater.
Seller: sweetwatersound
99.8% positive
Open box$2,870.00est. delivered
$2,825.00 + $45.00 shipping
Buy It Now$2,825.00
Our take
Open-box card, titled mint with UAD Analog Classics. No generation named.
Seller: retrogearshop
100% positive
New$2,899.00delivered
$2,899.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$2,899.00
Our take
New Gen 2 Essentials from a dealer.
Seller: guitaraudio
99.9% positive
New$2,899.00delivered
$2,899.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$2,899.00
Our take
New Gen 2 with Essentials from a dealer.
Seller: focusproaudio
99.7% positive
New$2,999.00delivered
$2,999.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$2,999.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
New Gen 2 Essentials from a dealer.
Seller: tourack
100% positive
New$3,299.00delivered
$3,299.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$3,299.00
Our take
New Gen 2 Studio+ Edition, the top ask here.
Seller: vintagekingaudio
99.9% positive
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