Which audio interface £400? PCI, USB2.0 or firewire?

dickiefunk · 15th September 2006

Hi,

I'm currently looking to replace my now deceased M-Audio Delta 1010 which I've had for 6 years. I'm not sure whether to buy another one or if the A/D D/A converters on a newer interface would be much better? I basically need an 8in 8out, Midi I/O interface and am not bothered by having preamps but ADAT might be useful but not essential. I've heard good things about the Echo Layla 3G, Presonus Firepod and MOTU 828mk2 USB. I've read the the Layla has the highest Dynamic range. How do these interfaces compare to the 1010 and which would you recommend? Would the MOTU 828mk2 USB2 be reliable? I have a PC and not mac.

chipwits · 15th September 2006

Might want to consider the LynxTwo-C. 6 analog in, 2 analog out. Don't know if this suits your purpose. However, they sound better than all you mentioned. The A/D converters especially: they are the same that is in the Lynx Aurora 8 and Lynx Aurora 16, which argued by some to sound better than the $6000 apogee. They go for about $1050 here in the US. Or you might want to consider an RME fireface, but I doubt it sounds as good as the Lynx (from what comments I have read about it by people that have A/B'd them here).

Also might want to look into the Behringer ADA8000. 8 in/out A/D/D/A (ADAT interface). $250. Come with 8 preamps also.

Whatever you do stay far away from USB interfaced AD/DA converters. Audio over USB is a joke. Even with the best computer it still has problems even recording two tracks let alone 8, 16, or 24. glitches and pops galore.. I've had very bad experience with audio of USB. For this reason I am hesitant to even consider a firewire interfaced AD/DA converters. I doubt a firewire based interface can work flawlessing recording dozens of tracks simultaneously. But I don't know.. maybe it does.

james

dickiefunk · 15th September 2006

Thanks for getting back to me!! The Lynx does look awesome but I'm not entirely sure if it will do everything I need and it + the RME Fireface are probably out of my price range because I am looking to buy an SPL Goldmic preamp. The spec of the Echo Layla is looking good at the moment but I'm not sure how its audio quality and quality of the A/D D/A converters compare to my old M-Audio Delta 1010?

dickiefunk · 16th September 2006

Ok now I'm getting really confused. Just spoke to someone who advised well against the ECHO Layla who said the the drivers were poor and unit was very unreliable with Cubase SX! I then have looked at the MOTU Ultralite and people are generally saying steer clear for PC so I've since seen the Focusrite Saffite PRO. This looks very appealing as it has 8 mic pres (same as used in the new platinum pro series) and ADAT and MIDI. Has anyone had any experience with this interface? How would this compare to the M-Audio 1010, MOTU Ultralite and Presonus Firepod?

NesNeedsGear · 16th September 2006

for that price (about $750 usd, correct?), the RME Multiface 2 is a steal.

dickiefunk · 17th September 2006

Does that include PCI card to go with the breakout box? Also, I was originally keeping my budget for the interface down so that I could buy a decent mic pre (SPL Goldmike) but the Saffire Pro has 8 decent mic pres on board (same as the platinum pro series which would be better than the pres in any of the other interfaces in this range) so the SPL Goldmike would be less crucial. Also I'm hoping that because it's brand new and focusrite the A/D D/A converters will be pretty decent aswell? (better than the delta 1010 and Layla 3G)?

Tomer1 · 17th September 2006

Im working with the motu ultralite on PC without any issues what so ever,
just make sure you have a firewire card with TI chipset and your good to go.

dickiefunk · 17th September 2006

Hi. I've just heard that the new drivers for the Echo Layla 3G are rock solid on PC so I'm back to square one. Shall I go for the Echo Layla 3G, MOTU Ultralite or Focusrite Saffire Pro? Any advice or opinions?

7161 · 19th September 2006

esi esp1010 - see the other post on same subject - the most reliable card i ever tried for the money. My 1820m is sitting on the workbench since it arrived. if you want reliability, check it out. It's probably no coincidence that Claus from RIDI is involved with it in terms of the driver quality, as RIDI have done drivers development for various manufacturers going back years afaik.

rusn at 46 samples latency without a murmer.

dickiefunk · 19th September 2006

How does the ESI Esp1010 audio quality compare to the Echo Layla 3G and Focusrite Saffire? I've seen the ESI Esp1010 sell for about £170. Surely it can't compete interms of audio quality and A/D D/A conversion!!??

dickiefunk · 30th September 2006

Hi. After a lot of research I've decided to go for the Echo Layla 3G and have put the let over money towards the SPL Goldmike. Managed to buy both of them for a little over £500. Will let you know how I get on!!

15th September 2006	#1
dickiefunk Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2006 Location: Cornwall, UK Posts: 3,088 Thread Starter	Which audio interface £400? PCI, USB2.0 or firewire? Hi, I'm currently looking to replace my now deceased M-Audio Delta 1010 which I've had for 6 years. I'm not sure whether to buy another one or if the A/D D/A converters on a newer interface would be much better? I basically need an 8in 8out, Midi I/O interface and am not bothered by having preamps but ADAT might be useful but not essential. I've heard good things about the Echo Layla 3G, Presonus Firepod and MOTU 828mk2 USB. I've read the the Layla has the highest Dynamic range. How do these interfaces compare to the 1010 and which would you recommend? Would the MOTU 828mk2 USB2 be reliable? I have a PC and not mac.

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15th September 2006	#2
chipwits Gear nut Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 81	Might want to consider the LynxTwo-C. 6 analog in, 2 analog out. Don't know if this suits your purpose. However, they sound better than all you mentioned. The A/D converters especially: they are the same that is in the Lynx Aurora 8 and Lynx Aurora 16, which argued by some to sound better than the $6000 apogee. They go for about $1050 here in the US. Or you might want to consider an RME fireface, but I doubt it sounds as good as the Lynx (from what comments I have read about it by people that have A/B'd them here). Also might want to look into the Behringer ADA8000. 8 in/out A/D/D/A (ADAT interface). $250. Come with 8 preamps also. Whatever you do stay far away from USB interfaced AD/DA converters. Audio over USB is a joke. Even with the best computer it still has problems even recording two tracks let alone 8, 16, or 24. glitches and pops galore.. I've had very bad experience with audio of USB. For this reason I am hesitant to even consider a firewire interfaced AD/DA converters. I doubt a firewire based interface can work flawlessing recording dozens of tracks simultaneously. But I don't know.. maybe it does. james

16th September 2006	#4
dickiefunk Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2006 Location: Cornwall, UK Posts: 3,088 Thread Starter	Ok now I'm getting really confused. Just spoke to someone who advised well against the ECHO Layla who said the the drivers were poor and unit was very unreliable with Cubase SX! I then have looked at the MOTU Ultralite and people are generally saying steer clear for PC so I've since seen the Focusrite Saffite PRO. This looks very appealing as it has 8 mic pres (same as used in the new platinum pro series) and ADAT and MIDI. Has anyone had any experience with this interface? How would this compare to the M-Audio 1010, MOTU Ultralite and Presonus Firepod?

16th September 2006	#5
NesNeedsGear Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 833	for that price (about $750 usd, correct?), the RME Multiface 2 is a steal.

17th September 2006	#6
dickiefunk Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2006 Location: Cornwall, UK Posts: 3,088 Thread Starter	Does that include PCI card to go with the breakout box? Also, I was originally keeping my budget for the interface down so that I could buy a decent mic pre (SPL Goldmike) but the Saffire Pro has 8 decent mic pres on board (same as the platinum pro series which would be better than the pres in any of the other interfaces in this range) so the SPL Goldmike would be less crucial. Also I'm hoping that because it's brand new and focusrite the A/D D/A converters will be pretty decent aswell? (better than the delta 1010 and Layla 3G)?

17th September 2006	#7
Tomer1 Lives for gear Joined: May 2006 Location: Haifa,Israel Posts: 1,282	Im working with the motu ultralite on PC without any issues what so ever, just make sure you have a firewire card with TI chipset and your good to go.

19th September 2006	#9
7161 3 + infractions, forum membership suspended. Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,096	esi esp1010 - see the other post on same subject - the most reliable card i ever tried for the money. My 1820m is sitting on the workbench since it arrived. if you want reliability, check it out. It's probably no coincidence that Claus from RIDI is involved with it in terms of the driver quality, as RIDI have done drivers development for various manufacturers going back years afaik. rusn at 46 samples latency without a murmer.

30th September 2006	#11
dickiefunk Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2006 Location: Cornwall, UK Posts: 3,088 Thread Starter	Hi. After a lot of research I've decided to go for the Echo Layla 3G and have put the let over money towards the SPL Goldmike. Managed to buy both of them for a little over £500. Will let you know how I get on!!