Registered: Jul 2009
Location: Seattle, USA & Gdansk, Poland
Apogee Duet 2 vs Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 vs Focusrite Saffire Pro 24
Hey everyone,
So after holding my old firewire card for 3 years+, it's about time to switch to a newer and far better card. I have been looking at these cards and just can't make up my mind.
So here's the story. I'm looking to upgrade from my old Presonus Firebox to a better card. Now that I have purchased a MacBook Pro, I have been keeping my eye on the Apogee Duet and its recently released newer version, the Duet 2.
I stopped by my friends studio in California some time ago and took a listen to the quality of the Saffire Series by Focusrite. To be honest, I was extremely impressed at how clear and crisp the sound was coming out of it and the sound coming out of the Saffire 40 seemed exactly identical to the Duet 2.
Why the Saffire 24? Well, taking in consideration that the same technology of AD/DA in the Saffire 40 is used in the Saffire 24, I don't need as many inputs and outputs (only will be needing a main out, a main in, and headphone out). So maybe the Saffire 24 is a better choice for me?
Nepsis N7 (2014) • Ableton Suite 9 • Bitwig Studio • Audio Technica ATH-M50WH • Equator D5
NI Komplete 9 • Synapse Dune • Kilohearts kHs ONE • reFX Vanguard • LennarDigital Sylenth1 • Hamburg-Audio Nuklear
Sep-26-2011 01:52
Energy_3
Supreme tranceaddict
Registered: May 2008
Location: Adelaide - Earth
I have a saffire pro 14 and no complaints from me, though im no professional! Never used an apogee duet tho some people highly recommend them. If you dont need many in/outs go with the saff pro 14 though if its only a penny more go the next one up
___________________
Sep-26-2011 05:26
Anakratis
Abstraktum Projekt
Registered: Jul 2009
Location: Seattle, USA & Gdansk, Poland
quote:
Originally posted by Energy_3
I have a saffire pro 14 and no complaints from me, though im no professional! Never used an apogee duet tho some people highly recommend them. If you dont need many in/outs go with the saff pro 14 though if its only a penny more go the next one up
Well, as I said, I only need minimal inputs/outputs, so the Pro 14 may be good as well. Hm...
Nepsis N7 (2014) • Ableton Suite 9 • Bitwig Studio • Audio Technica ATH-M50WH • Equator D5
NI Komplete 9 • Synapse Dune • Kilohearts kHs ONE • reFX Vanguard • LennarDigital Sylenth1 • Hamburg-Audio Nuklear
Sep-26-2011 06:02
tehlord
Supreme tranceaddict
Registered: Jan 2009
Location: Windsor
Just get a Saffire 6. You don't need anything in the way of inputs or outputs and the tech in the Saffire 6 is the same as the bigger units anyway. Whether you buy a $150 card or a $1000 card, what you hear for mixing will be virtually identical so there's no benefit spending more money. I know you were worried about the 6 being USB1, but that makes absolutely no difference whatsover unless you wanted to record multiple inputs.
Save your dollars and put everything you can into a monitor upgrade.
Registered: Jul 2009
Location: Seattle, USA & Gdansk, Poland
quote:
Originally posted by CalvP
+1 on the Saffire 6.
The DAC in the Apogee Duet is better, but unless you have a treated room/great monitors etc, i really don't think it's worth the extra £ at this point.
You can use the rest to start saving for the future
Hmm...what about the new Scarlett Series? Any experiences with that?
Nepsis N7 (2014) • Ableton Suite 9 • Bitwig Studio • Audio Technica ATH-M50WH • Equator D5
NI Komplete 9 • Synapse Dune • Kilohearts kHs ONE • reFX Vanguard • LennarDigital Sylenth1 • Hamburg-Audio Nuklear
Sep-26-2011 19:49
Anakratis
Abstraktum Projekt
Registered: Jul 2009
Location: Seattle, USA & Gdansk, Poland
quote:
Originally posted by CalvP
The 2i2 looks great & is cheaper, but afaik it's not out for another month, so haven't seen any user reviews yet. Can't really imagine it being disappointing though
I can wait. Hopefully my Firebox won't vanish into thin air. I'll ask Guitar Center if they can order a display model for me to try out
Nepsis N7 (2014) • Ableton Suite 9 • Bitwig Studio • Audio Technica ATH-M50WH • Equator D5
NI Komplete 9 • Synapse Dune • Kilohearts kHs ONE • reFX Vanguard • LennarDigital Sylenth1 • Hamburg-Audio Nuklear
Sep-26-2011 19:59
Anakratis
Abstraktum Projekt
Registered: Jul 2009
Location: Seattle, USA & Gdansk, Poland
Just did some intense scouting on the Scarlett 2i2, and it looks like this is the interface for me. It has everything I need, and still boasts the same DAC technology as in the high-end Saffire models. Perfect! I'll be pre-ordering this unit
