High End Outboard w/ Mid End Conversion

[Vato]

I have a lot of high end pres, comps , EQ and a great summing mixer(8816) but Ive had this MotuHD192 since before all that. I cant even fill up my Summing mixer because it only has 12 outs (8816 has 16 ins). I really want to take the next step but Im going to spend $7200 if I buy Apogee Symphony and the AD16 plus the DA16.
I keep thinking I might just buy another HD192 and get them both modded.
Is there any middle ground here? I mean if the Black Lion mod for the HD192 is going to make a good difference then I would just be done with that, but I just wish there was some way to keep my existing setup and add highend AD/DA by pairs as I can afford.
This is probobly wishful thinking because the MOTU runs into my MAC via PCI.

Anyone care to make me feel stupid??????
Is the Black Lion mod worth it?????
Can I use half Apogee half MOTU ??????
Vato

[India]

I am wondering the same. You arleady have 12 ins and 12 outs and the MOTU HD 192 is not bad. I can see why you would want to build off that as you can afford. Problem is going to be deciding on MOTU or APOGEE for your PCI. I dont think you can use some of one and some of the other.
It would be budget friendly if you could add as you go.
India

[aussie_techie]

if you could find a cheap 2408 to pair with your HD192 then you could have have 16 outs to your summing mixer and add better converters as you need them. a rosetta 800 would be cheaper than the AD16/DA16 if 8ch of higher quality conversion is enough then when you get a new computer with PCIe you could add a symphony and you already have the converters.

just a thought im not sure how much of a 2408 would cost compared to a symphony

[tomdarude]

Sell the Motu and get a Lynx Aurora 16 with PCI-card
(that you can switch for a PCIe later!) that would be nearly half the $$ than the Apogee and a smiliar quality-range!

and buy used!

[Andrew Kinsey]

[IMG]******//www.soundtools.co.uk/Images_T1/Products/SSL/ssl_alphalink.web.gif[/IMG]
The SSL Alphalink has quite good converters and isn't very expensive.
Lynx Aurora would also be the other main condenter.

[PandaFOH]

hmmmm ... I am in a similar position.

Sorry to be reducndant, I posted on the ssl alpha link thread thread asking about the sonic differences in the converters between these 2 ... would any users of both pieces care to comment? I spent a few hours searching the archive last night and found a lot of praise for both ... but no direct comparisons.

thanks guys

Panda

[Sensual Ears]

mid-end?

[not_so_new]

Originally Posted by Sensual Ears

mid-end?

I was thinking the exact same thing..... I guess it's all in perspective huh?

To me "mid end" converters are like the HEDD192, UA2192, Apogee 16X, Lavry Blue. High end is Weiss, Lavry Gold and the like.

I don't know but I doubt the MotuHD192 even with the mods would be as good as the above.... but don't take my word on it, I have never used the MotuHD192 at all so I don't really know.

[chetatkinsdiet]

I'm another to add to being in the same boat. Instead of all the "sell it and buy this" responses....does anyone have any experience with a BLA modded MOTU and how it compares to an Apogee 16x? Sure there are really high end converters out there that are more expensive than the 16x, but there are a number of pro studios out there running them. So, they seem to be the standard for higher end stuff. The same as a U87 is still probably the benchmark for an LDC.

Anyone? Maybe another way to ask is where does a BLA modded MOTU device equate to? Again, it's only $325 or so for the mods, so you're not risking much. Add in another $350 or so for a clock upgrade from them and that's not too bad if it could take you into that next level.

I'm of the opinion too that their higher end stuff (MOTU that is) isn't too bad. I'm still running a pair of the 1224's and like them a lot. I'm considering the BLA mods, but also thinking about two nice apogee channels as well. If I can get that level from BLA...and 6 additional channels for only $325 + the clock for another $350....sign me up.

m

[Andrew Kinsey]

Originally Posted by chetatkinsdiet

I'm another to add to being in the same boat. Instead of all the "sell it and buy this" responses....does anyone have any experience with a BLA modded MOTU and how it compares to an Apogee 16x? Sure there are really high end converters out there that are more expensive than the 16x, but there are a number of pro studios out there running them. So, they seem to be the standard for higher end stuff. The same as a U87 is still probably the benchmark for an LDC.

Anyone? Maybe another way to ask is where does a BLA modded MOTU device equate to? Again, it's only $325 or so for the mods, so you're not risking much. Add in another $350 or so for a clock upgrade from them and that's not too bad if it could take you into that next level.

I'm of the opinion too that their higher end stuff (MOTU that is) isn't too bad. I'm still running a pair of the 1224's and like them a lot. I'm considering the BLA mods, but also thinking about two nice apogee channels as well. If I can get that level from BLA...and 6 additional channels for only $325 + the clock for another $350....sign me up.

m

The 1224's are probably one of the best boxes that MOTU ever made. The newer stuff like the 2408 & 828 are not even close sonically to the 1224. I unfortunately know this because i own a 2408!

[Vato]

Originally Posted by tomdarude

Sell the Motu and get a Lynx Aurora 16 with PCI-card
(that you can switch for a PCIe later!) that would be nearly half the $$ than the Apogee and a smiliar quality-range!

and buy used!

I never heard of Aurora before this week. I have a friend in MPLS who has their converters. He says they are as good as or possibly better than the Apogee and for half the price of the Apogee setup.(AD and DA 16 w/ Symphony).
Anyone else have an oppinion of Aurora?

[Fisherman]

Originally Posted by Andrew Kinsey

[IMG]******//www.soundtools.co.uk/Images_T1/Products/SSL/ssl_alphalink.web.gif[/IMG]
The SSL Alphalink has quite good converters and isn't very expensive.
Lynx Aurora would also be the other main condenter.

I just bought Prism Sound Orpheus through Sound Tools in UK 3 weeks ago and still waiting for the rest 250£ and receipt.

How pro is that?

Avoid dealing with this guy Andrew Kinsey.