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Thinking about an Audio Interface upgrade...
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| Eric J |
OK, so I'm thinking about upgrading my audio interface. Here is my situation and the plan I have:
Currently, I have a MOTU 24 I/O that I have been using for some time quite successfully. I'm relatively happy with it, but it has way more I/O than I need anymore. I originally bought this interface when I had a ton of outboard gear and needed a lot of analog I/O. I have since gotten rid of the majority of my outboard and will probably be getting rid of the rest of it shortly. Basically, all I have left is a hardware compressor and couple of PCM wave synths, JV1080, Triton, etc. and I never use any of it anymore.
In addition, I have some really high end studio monitors, so the next logical step for me is to upgrade the Audio Interface. I want to keep a PCI-based interface, so I'm trying to avoid anything Firewire based.
Now, I don't really have a large budget, so I want to keep costs down as much as possible. I'm going to have to finance most of this with money from the outboard I am planning on selling.
So what I am thinking of doing is picking up a MOTU 2408 PCI interface (the expansion version without the card) and then I can use this with my existing PCI-424 card. This should run me about $650. Once that is done, I can then sell the 24 I/O as an expansion and pick up an Apogee Mini DAC (~$800). Then I can go S/PDIF out of the 2408 into the Mini DAC and analog out to my monitors. The return from selling the 24 I/O expansion should help to offset the majority of the cost of the Mini DAC. I figure this is the cheapest way to upgrade my existing setup while still staying in the PCI realm.
Anyway, thats my plan. Anyone see a problem with this approach? |
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| Zombie0729 |
| eric i am in the opposite boat, i own a brand new MOTU 828mk3... i don't know the value of your interface right now but might you be interested in a trade? |
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| Eric J |
| Possibly, do you have the Firewire version or the PCI card version? |
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| alanzo |
| Get a MOTU 2408 mk3 and an Apogee Mini-DAC or Benchmark DAC-1 ... you can use the S/PDIF output from the 2408 into the DAC. Less I/O and you get a killer DAC. |
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| Eric J |
| quote: | Originally posted by alanzo
Get a MOTU 2408 mk3 and an Apogee Mini-DAC or Benchmark DAC-1 ... you can use the S/PDIF output from the 2408 into the DAC. Less I/O and you get a killer DAC. |
Right, that's what I was describing in my original post above. |
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| alanzo |
| quote: | Originally posted by Eric J
Right, that's what I was describing in my original post above. |
Then whuuuts the prooooblem? Do it already! :p I love my 2408/Mini-DAC setup. It sounds awesome, I find the converters to definitely be smoother than the MOTU's, and the physical volume control knob on the DAC is simple yet invaluable.
But if you want something crazier, when it comes to anything but synthesizers (since they're not into'em), I trust Mercenary Audio's thoughts on the matter. They definitely don't give the best prices, but will give the best service and are very particular about what they sell ... http://www.mercenary.com/addaconversion.html Pretty much anything that they carry that will do what you need is a top-notch product.
Edit: I paid like $400 for my Mini-DAC. Maybe you'll get lucky? Don't forget about 8% cashBack on eBay Buy It Now purchases. See the links on the top of this auction I had going : http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESOX:IT&item=190315321040 |
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| orTofønChiLd |
I want this one
WEIADC2 List $0.00
Shipping Weight: 15 Pounds
Mercenary $7,350.00 |
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| Eric J |
| quote: | Originally posted by alanzo
Then whuuuts the prooooblem? Do it already! :p I love my 2408/Mini-DAC setup. It sounds awesome, I find the converters to definitely be smoother than the MOTU's, and the physical volume control knob on the DAC is simple yet invaluable.
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Well, there isnt really a problem. My original post was more of a "Request for Comments" post. I had this all planned out in my head, just wanted to run by a few people I know and some people on here to make sure there wasn't a better option, or that I wasn't missing something.
Honestly, your opinion is probably going to be the most valuable for me, since you have the exact AI setup I'm thinking of using (including the exact same monitors).
| quote: | Originally posted by alanzo
But if you want something crazier, when it comes to anything but synthesizers (since they're not into'em), I trust Mercenary Audio's thoughts on the matter. They definitely don't give the best prices, but will give the best service and are very particular about what they sell ... http://www.mercenary.com/addaconversion.html Pretty much anything that they carry that will do what you need is a top-notch product.
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Well this option allows me to get the most out of my studio setup without spending a bunch of extra money. I can pretty much sell a few things I don't use anymore to pay for this upgrade, rather than having to find the money somewhere to pay for it. If I had the cash, I'd probably go for a Lynx interface, but I won't have $4,000 anytime soon.
| quote: | Originally posted by alanzo
Edit: I paid like $400 for my Mini-DAC. Maybe you'll get lucky? Don't forget about 8% cashBack on eBay Buy It Now purchases. See the links on the top of this auction I had going : http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...em=190315321040 |
That's a great offer, thanks for pointing that out for me. |
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| alanzo |
| quote: | Originally posted by Eric J
Honestly, your opinion is probably going to be the most valuable for me, since you have the exact AI setup I'm thinking of using (including the exact same monitors). |
Seeing as how you're in the same boat as me, where you can think of about 5,000 better things to do with the $5,000 it would cost to get one of those converter units, then I'd say you have no better option than a 2408/Mini-DAC combo. You'll love it! |
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| alanzo |
| quote: | Originally posted by Eric J
That's a great offer, thanks for pointing that out for me. |
It's awesome. I got an instant $200 cash back on my focals, saved me $85 on a Nord Lead 3, even though I had to wait 60 days, saved me $240 on my Auralex foam, (it's limited to $200 per auction now), saved me $56 just this past Monday on a Waldorf XT.
Basically, you either get instant cash back or have to wait 60 days. Whether or not it's instant is completely random. Let me know if you have any questions ... |
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| Eric J |
| quote: | Originally posted by alanzo
Seeing as how you're in the same boat as me, where you can think of about 5,000 better things to do with the $5,000 it would cost to get one of those converter units, then I'd say you have no better option than a 2408/Mini-DAC combo. You'll love it! |
Awesome, that makes feel better about pulling the trigger on those. I think I'll put this plan in motion. |
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| alanzo |
| quote: | Originally posted by Eric J
Awesome, that makes feel better about pulling the trigger on those. I think I'll put this plan in motion. |
I'll buy your MOTU MIdi 128 off of you, by the way, if you haven't already sold / intend to sell ... PM me if it's possible. |
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