Best D/A converter

[peace2u]

I've been putting together what I hope will be a killer sounding recording setup for a jazz vocalist with appropriate backing instruments (upright bass, Drums, guitars...). What I have so far is an AT-4060 tube mike, Mac G5 Dual 2 Gig w/2.5G ram. I am using Digital Performer 4.5 and I'm quite happy with it as a platform. I have a DBX-586 mike pre, which I'm not married to but it's a start. Also have an Avalon 747sp. No digital board (at this point anyway).

I need some great advice on Digital converters. 8 ins would be handy when recording drums but I could get by with less. My main concern is quality. I like the versatility of firewire as a link to the computer because I also have a laptop for remote recording. However, I would be willing to go with a PCI type of rig if the quality would make it worthwhile.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

[peace2u]

Thanks Gustav...

I had a Fireface ordered a few weeks ago. Luckily it was on backorder because I had to cancel the order after reading some posts about Driver problems with RME in the Mac realm. For one thing there are no drivers available for OS9 (which is more efficient on my laptop). Also, the OSX drivers have also been said to be buggy or don't work at all in some cases...

[Infa]

I am confused. Your topic of the thread states "best D/A converter" , but yet your description describes more of a A/D converter needs..

Maybe you need a GOOD A/D-D/A converter in one, that can handle 8 ins and outs...

The Apogee Rosetta 800 in that case would be my recomendation...

Very good conversion there. And also will give you 8 analog ins and outs. Along with 8 lightpipe ins and outs, and 8 AES ins and outs !!!!!! And all for pretty cheap. You have the choice of a 192k version, or a 96k version. Obviously the 96k version is cheaper.

It's just a great deal to me, and you really can do no better with out spending MORE money (IMO).

Good Luck, hope this helps --

[Teacher]

Rosetta 800 for 8 A/D/A like everyone suggested or check out the new Lynx Standalone boxes called the Aurora. They have a 16 and 8 channel A/D/A version the 8 channel version is a little bit less then the rosetta

[peace2u]

Hey this is great! I sure appreciate the help at this particularly tough transition. The company I have been dealing with for the past few years has seen the last of my hardware dollars...

I was looking at the rosetta 800 as a few of you had suggested. I must admit, I'm a bit confused about the hookup. From what I've seen, there's a small snake that attaches as the inputs from your pre-amps. Is that correct?

Being new to this forum as of yesterday, I was very impressed with the wealth of good knowledge that you are sharing here. Sorry about the D/A, A/D convertor mix-up. I do prefer to be able to go in and out...

After reading some very favorable comments about the "radar system", I was even considering getting that as a front end for my setup; just to get the audio recorded. However, it would not be convenient because I do like to make use of midi, and more readily available hard drive space.

If the rosetta will sound just as good, I'm sold!

Thanks again for the help!

[Infa]

Originally posted by peace2u
After reading some very favorable comments about the "radar system", I was even considering getting that as a front end for my setup; just to get the audio recorded. However, it would not be convenient because I do like to make use of midi, and more readily available hard drive space.

If the rosetta will sound just as good, I'm sold!

Hell,,, the Rosetta will sound BETTER ! (IMO)

And IS a better choice (IMO)

About the hook ups, it is real simple, and is pretty much the standard now. As real estate is tight now a days trying to make things smaller and smaller (1 unit rack spaces etc.) the Rosetta takes advantage of the D-Sub connections for your in/out/ analog/AES needs. Therefore all the cables (8 of each, for each way) all are connected to the UNIT via that little D-Sub connector on the back of the unit. Instead of having 24 XLR connections built into the back of it, and therefore making the unit 3 times as big and heavy...

The D-Sub connection THEN stems out to all the approperate coresponding connections on the other end. (via in your case 8 ins, and the other D-Sub would be 8 outs)(then also your AES if wanted).. The great thing here is you can specially order the connections you want for your desired set up (unlike if the connections were built into the unit) --

So in other words you can order any length to go out of D-Sub to ANY connection that fits your studio, or mixtures there of. (via XLR- 1/4 jack- etc.. gold or silver) !!! That is what is cool about D-Sub's ... You can also get special made ones that would make one or two connections with longer cables than the other 6 , or just what the hell ever...

So that is the connection deal that you asked about.

[peace2u]

Hey INFA,

It's very encouraging that you like the sound of the Rosetta. I appreciate that. Thanks for the D-Sub tips too... just what I was after.

Cheers