wich interface? 4 pre's and brilliant conversion

with_teeth · 19th March 2008

hiya,

I am just exasperate by my low-budget interface.
It's a motu 8pre... now I am about to progress...
my goal is to get an interface wich costs max. 1900$ and has a brilliant A/D D/A conversion.
this stuff I am looking at:

Apogee Electronics: Products: Ensemble

and

RME: Fireface 800

wich one would you buy more likely?
wich one has the better preamps and better converters?
I also noticed that the apogee has 4 digital preamps..
what does that mean? dont preamps have to be analoge?
well you might notice I am unillumined in that matter...

so please tell me the best interface wich has min. 4 awesome preamps and the best converters for 1900$.

don't need to be inevitably one of the two I named above...

thank you

Tom Hakala · 19th March 2008

This was a fun thread
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/so-mu...ce-b-test.html

I can't comment on Apogee stuff because I haven't used it side by side with Fireface. I have the FF400.

Strobian · 19th March 2008

The apogee is the way to go. I think the pres are better on them as well.

Chunky But Funky · 19th March 2008

Just to play devil's advocate, have you tried higher end pre's and just used the MOTU's conversion? I spent a long time searching for upgraded convertors when I had an old Echo Layla (20 bit). I ended up getting a MOTU 2408 MkIII. I was leaning toward Apogee, as Lynx Aurora 8 & 16 weren't out yet back then (I don't think. At least I wasn't aware of them anyway.) There is a very busy studio here in Pgh that puts out regional and national releases using a MOTU interface. That helped crystalize my decision that maybe a $2000 interface isn't essential in a home project studio. I later picked up a used RME ADI-8 DS for an additional 8 channels of better conversion via lightpipe. That kind of money may be better spent on a Lynx Aurora 8 today, but no pre's.

Depends on what you are after.

You could pick up a used RME ADI-8 DS (for under $1000) and insert it through your MOTU 8pre via lightpipe as well. Use the leftover budget $$$ to get a pre or two of your choice. Maybe start a 500 series addiction! You will always have a use for high end pre's such as API, Hardy, DAV BG, A-designs, Chandler etc, and could upgrade your interface / conversion as funds allow down the road.

Sorry for rambling! Just something else to consider.

Doug

soundsgood · 19th March 2008

I have an RME Fireface800 and am very pleased. The high quality, sonically neutral conversion is pretty fantastic. The pres are ok, descent headroom and sound but nothing special. The software interface is pretty good, the matrix mixer is a little confusing at first but all of its very useable. Now, all of that being said, the only reason I have the RME instead of the Ensemble is finances. Being a Logic user I really would love the fully integrated control solution that Apple and Apogee have developed. Also, for the kind of stuff I record I would prefer the sound of the Apogee convertors. I am also pretty sure that the preamps are at least some better. However, even though I wanted the Apogee I haven't been disappointed by the RME at all. It's a well built and sonically pleasing device that does what it's supposed to. You won't be unhappy either way, get the Apogee, if you decide you don't like it I'll trade you!

19th March 2008	#1
with_teeth Gear interested Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3 Thread Starter	wich interface? 4 pre's and brilliant conversion hiya, I am just exasperate by my low-budget interface. It's a motu 8pre... now I am about to progress... my goal is to get an interface wich costs max. 1900$ and has a brilliant A/D D/A conversion. this stuff I am looking at: Apogee Electronics: Products: Ensemble and RME: Fireface 800 wich one would you buy more likely? wich one has the better preamps and better converters? I also noticed that the apogee has 4 digital preamps.. what does that mean? dont preamps have to be analoge? well you might notice I am unillumined in that matter... so please tell me the best interface wich has min. 4 awesome preamps and the best converters for 1900$. don't need to be inevitably one of the two I named above... thank you

19th March 2008	#3
Strobian Lives for gear Joined: May 2007 Location: USA Posts: 857	The apogee is the way to go. I think the pres are better on them as well. __________________ Best Regards. Let the ear be the final judge. http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Dynamics-Audio-Mastering/142816939085810

19th March 2008	#4
Chunky But Funky Gear maniac Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 293	Another way to look at it... Just to play devil's advocate, have you tried higher end pre's and just used the MOTU's conversion? I spent a long time searching for upgraded convertors when I had an old Echo Layla (20 bit). I ended up getting a MOTU 2408 MkIII. I was leaning toward Apogee, as Lynx Aurora 8 & 16 weren't out yet back then (I don't think. At least I wasn't aware of them anyway.) There is a very busy studio here in Pgh that puts out regional and national releases using a MOTU interface. That helped crystalize my decision that maybe a $2000 interface isn't essential in a home project studio. I later picked up a used RME ADI-8 DS for an additional 8 channels of better conversion via lightpipe. That kind of money may be better spent on a Lynx Aurora 8 today, but no pre's. Depends on what you are after. You could pick up a used RME ADI-8 DS (for under $1000) and insert it through your MOTU 8pre via lightpipe as well. Use the leftover budget $$$ to get a pre or two of your choice. Maybe start a 500 series addiction! You will always have a use for high end pre's such as API, Hardy, DAV BG, A-designs, Chandler etc, and could upgrade your interface / conversion as funds allow down the road. Sorry for rambling! Just something else to consider. Doug

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
wich plugins on wich instrument?	mattsplace	So much gear, so little time!	2	16th February 2008 08:29 PM
Interface after A/D conversion?	laurentboutonnat	So much gear, so little time!	0	27th December 2007 05:33 PM
AD/DA conversion w/ Firewire as interface into DAW?	Hover25	So much gear, so little time!	2	20th December 2007 05:43 PM
spl vitalizers, wich are the good ones, and wich not?	gizeh12	Mastering forum	14	4th July 2007 04:16 PM
Whats more important.... A/D conversion or pre's and comps	Nevelicious	So much gear, so little time!	6	27th May 2004 08:55 AM

19th March 2008	#2
Tom Hakala Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2006 Location: internet Posts: 1,492	This was a fun thread http://www.gearslutz.com/board/so-mu...ce-b-test.html I can't comment on Apogee stuff because I haven't used it side by side with Fireface. I have the FF400.

19th March 2008	#5
soundsgood Gear Head Joined: Jan 2005 Location: Ft. Worth, TX Posts: 42	I have an RME Fireface800 and am very pleased. The high quality, sonically neutral conversion is pretty fantastic. The pres are ok, descent headroom and sound but nothing special. The software interface is pretty good, the matrix mixer is a little confusing at first but all of its very useable. Now, all of that being said, the only reason I have the RME instead of the Ensemble is finances. Being a Logic user I really would love the fully integrated control solution that Apple and Apogee have developed. Also, for the kind of stuff I record I would prefer the sound of the Apogee convertors. I am also pretty sure that the preamps are at least some better. However, even though I wanted the Apogee I haven't been disappointed by the RME at all. It's a well built and sonically pleasing device that does what it's supposed to. You won't be unhappy either way, get the Apogee, if you decide you don't like it I'll trade you!