Firefaces aren't that good AFAIK. I'm pretty sure they use the same converters as Audiofires, so you might as well just save yourself a few coins. I think Audiofire 2-4 use the same converters as the Fireface 400, while Audiofire 8-12 use the converters in the Fireface 800.

A good option is to get a raw IO interface, such as the Audiofire 12, then get a dedicated DA for your monitors later down the track. This is an easily scaled solution, imo.

Last edited by echosystm on Jul-26-2009 at 14:49

How are the opals, haven't heard of a review of them from anyone

quote:

Originally posted by orTofønChiLd How are the opals, haven't heard of a review of them from anyone

There are a few around, they have had stunning reviews.

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We use several 800's at the studio and they are a superb interface - given the choice I'd take an 800 over a motu interface without blinking. The sonic quality is superior on the 800 and even thoigh it uses the same chips as the top end audiofire range (which are great by the way) it has even better architecture. Also, and most importantly the 800 has a better internal clock which greatly improves audio reproduction quality over motu.

Put it this way:

I'd be content with combining the RME 800 and the opals, but feel I'd need to upgrade using a motu or anything below.

Really for $3000 speakers, you want to be considering an Appogee Rosetta/ensemble, RME FF800, Lavry Black, Mytek, UA2192, lynx or similar grade interface. You need to leave the "prosumer" ones behind but at that level you're getting in to the whole diminishing returns thing, so it's just about working out what budget you have and what your needs are, whether it be amount of I/O, the type of connectivity, the controls, etc.

quote:

Originally posted by DJ RANN We use several 800's at the studio and they are a superb interface - given the choice I'd take an 800 over a motu interface without blinking. The sonic quality is superior on the 800 and even thoigh it uses the same chips as the top end audiofire range (which are great by the way) it has even better architecture. Also, and most importantly the 800 has a better internal clock which greatly improves audio reproduction quality over motu. Put it this way: I'd be content with combining the RME 800 and the opals, but feel I'd need to upgrade using a motu or anything below. Really for $3000 speakers, you want to be considering an Appogee Rosetta/ensemble, RME FF800, Lavry Black, Mytek, UA2192, lynx or similar grade interface. You need to leave the "prosumer" ones behind but at that level you're getting in to the whole diminishing returns thing, so it's just about working out what budget you have and what your needs are, whether it be amount of I/O, the type of connectivity, the controls, etc.

I have a question for you, is it better to get a single DA converter rather than getting an interface that have both options? like is one dedicated to do a single job better than doing both?

quote:

Originally posted by orTofønChiLd I have a question for you, is it better to get a single DA converter rather than getting an interface that have both options? like is one dedicated to do a single job better than doing both?

It really depends. There isn't a huge demand or market place (in the grand scheme of things) for single way conversion interfaces but often when the top brands do make just a DA or AD it's pretty amazing partly because is just designed for that purpose. The top ADDA's certainly are great at doing both so there's not really a sacrifice and sometimes because of supply and demand being greater for them they can be cheaper than two single way converters.

For instance it's difficult to compare the Lavry balck to say a rosetta because even though the lavry is ever so slightly better, you'd have to buy two to get the functionality of the rosetta and there's no way in hell that tiny increase in quality is worth double the cost, esepcially at this level.

Basically with single way interfaces you need to compare the price of two of them to the same cost interface...and trust me you're well in subjective reasoning land by then

Cheers for the info Tom, looks like RME 800 is the way to go

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