RME Fireface 400 or 800?

[nuemes]

I've got a Digi 002. After upgrading to excellent pre's & mics & decent monitors (all $1K +) have realized that the pillow-over-the-speakers sound I'm still getting is the 002 itself.

So I think I've narrowed down the options in my price range to using a RME Fireface 400 or 800 through the ADAT inputs on the 002 so I can surpass the 002 entirely.

I really just need the best 8 channel AD/DA & clock with ADAT inputs. I won't be making use of the pre's on either unit often, if at all.

Which of the two, RME FF400 or FF800, would provide the best sound given the setup?

[Bixby]

Why not consider a Black Lion Mod?

[nuemes]

Black Lion does nothing for the converters.

[Zuewi]

I did a lot of research before i bought my fireface800. i was also considering the 400. i endet with the 800 cause it simply has more expansion possibilitys. I heard that the FF400 has very slighly better preamps and the FF800 very slighly better D/A. But in general their sound doesn't differ much if any.

Take a FF400 if you need something portable and small or the FF800 if you want to expand your studio in the future and build more stuff arround.

Hope this helps.

[leaper]

not a marked difference between the 2 sonically IME
if all you need is an extra 8 channels ADAT then go 400. Just be sure you won't need the 800's extras, i guess.

[Labs]

Originally Posted by nuemes

realized that the pillow-over-the-speakers sound I'm still getting is the 002 itself.

I guarentee you, your unit is broken. You should have it checked out.

Gustav

[captain caveman]

The best advice I can give is to get the credit card out and buy both, then compare them to the 002 and see what's best.

Find somewhere that has a suitable returns policy, it's the only way to eliminate the Emperor's New Clothesness about new gear.

[infopimpster]

I just wanted to say I have been demoing the RME Fireface 800 and it is in a word - unbelievable. No hype, it is a SICK unit.

I'm looking to expand the 002 to add more inputs, but in doing my research it appears the RME FF800 not only solves that problem but points to a path whereby I might ditch my 002 entirely down the road. Like the poster said above, looking at this unit shows how big and deep of a "shafting" Digidesign is giving us all.... or, non-cynically, shows a nice way to expand your 002.

The routing options on the RME and the (Mac or Windows) TotalMix software is unbelievably flexible - I doubt many people use it for all it can do, or even close! The manual is spiral bound and DEEP. The support forum on RME is lively with a lot of happy peoppe, and the driver support is killer.

I'm basically totally sold on the RME Fireface 800 and want to return this demo to my buddy and pick one up - might even go to GC to do so just to get it today!

[Audio Hombre]

Originally Posted by nuemes

Black Lion does nothing for the converters.

ah, best to go to black lion and read again

[nuemes]

Originally Posted by Audio Hombre

ah, best to go to black lion and read again

Black Lion quote from email:

"The HD package includes an analog stage upgrade on the A/D and D/A sides, converter decoupling, and a new internal clock. The Tweak Head package uses slightly better op-amps in the D/A analog stage and adds a 2nd linear power supply, raising the analog headroom by about 20dB. The Signature mod includes a better clock, better regulation and filtration on the 2nd linear power supply, Os-con capacitors for the analog stage decoupling and converter decoupling, and re-capping the pre's. Any of the mods can have an actual A/D chip upgrade. You would need to source the parts (AK5393vs), and we charge $75 for the installation. Tonally they sound the same, but they give you 7 dB more headroom. You would need 4 of them and they usually run around $27 each."

[Bierce85]

Originally Posted by infopimpster

I just wanted to say I have been demoing the RME Fireface 800 and it is in a word - unbelievable. No hype, it is a SICK unit.

+1

Very clean and hifi sounding unit with unbelievable drivers/software. Unparalleled in it's price range.

[nuemes]

Originally Posted by Bierce85

+1

Very clean and hifi sounding unit with unbelievable drivers/software. Unparalleled in it's price range.

Would you say it blows the 002 away, or subtle difference or (?)

[Bierce85]

Well even though I've had both I never made a comparison between the two so I really can't say. From what I can remember, the FF800 sounds cleaner and more defined than the 002 did, but I really cant tell you the exact differences for sure.

[Lagerfeldt]

002 is one the most closed-in sounding sound cards ever. No real low end, no real high freqs, all foul and boring mids. The 003 is slightly better, but just slightly.

Sorry to sound like that but I simply loathe two products in this world: Digidesign 002 and Focusrite Track/VoiceMaster. Yuck. Sold in buckets but still utter crap.

The FF800 however is one of the best sound cards in the price range, both in terms of sound and features.

In your case I would go for the FF800 and not the FF400. One of the few things improved in the FF400 from the FF800 are the pre's (which you won't be using much apparently) - but conversion is slightly "worse" in the FF400 compared to FF800.

Consider the price of the FF800 and it's a no-brainer IMO.

[stag]

Originally Posted by infopimpster

I just wanted to say I have been demoing the RME Fireface 800 and it is in a word - unbelievable. No hype, it is a SICK unit.

I'm looking to expand the 002 to add more inputs, but in doing my research it appears the RME FF800 not only solves that problem but points to a path whereby I might ditch my 002 entirely down the road. Like the poster said above, looking at this unit shows how big and deep of a "shafting" Digidesign is giving us all.... or, non-cynically, shows a nice way to expand your 002.

The routing options on the RME and the (Mac or Windows) TotalMix software is unbelievably flexible - I doubt many people use it for all it can do, or even close! The manual is spiral bound and DEEP. The support forum on RME is lively with a lot of happy peoppe, and the driver support is killer.

I'm basically totally sold on the RME Fireface 800 and want to return this demo to my buddy and pick one up - might even go to GC to do so just to get it today!

Compared to what?

Consider the Onyx 400f. Do a comparative test.

The FF has a lot of connections. That´s all i can sat about it.

[Dead Horse]

Fireface 800

Dynamic range AD: 109 dB RMS unweighted, 112 dBA
THD AD: < -110 dB (< 0.00032 %)
THD+N AD: < -104 dB (< 0.00063 %)
Crosstalk AD: > 110 dB
Dynamic range DA: 116 dB RMS unweighted, 119 dBA (unmuted)
THD DA: < -103 dB (< 0.0007 %)
THD+N DA: < -100 dB (< 0.001 %)
Crosstalk DA: > 110 dB

Fireface 400

Dynamic range AD: 110 dB RMS unweighted, 113 dBA
THD AD: < -100 dB (< 0.001 %)
THD+N AD: < -98 dB (< 0.0012 %)
Crosstalk AD: > 110 dB
Dynamic range DA: 110 dB RMS unweighted, 113 dBA (unmuted)
THD DA: -100 dB (0.001 %)
THD+N DA: -96 dB (0.0015 %)
Crosstalk DA: > 110 dB