Apogee x-firewire vs. Motu 828 optical conversion

Dor · 13th April 2005, 07:23 PM

Hello, I was wondering if I should expect a big difference recording from my rosetta 200 via the x-firewire card vs. rossetta into the motu 828's optical port. Is it true that going digital to digital is a lossless transfer?

I've been thinking that the motu unit is the weak link in my recording chain & just received the x-firewire card. I will give it a shot tonight but wanted to know if it should technically sound better.

Thanks in advance.

Dor

13th April 2005, 08:23 PM

they are just different protocols for digital audio transfer. in theory they should be exact duplicates. as for implemantation... i have not heard of any blatant issues with toslink transmission that would cause data loss.

also, using the toslink on the motu wouldnt really be "conversion". there should be no change in the data (which would be a conversion), just in the transmission method.

Dor · 13th April 2005, 09:26 PM

thanks for the reply. So you are saying that by adding the x-firewire card, I won't be improving my signal?

7ciel · 13th April 2005, 09:59 PM

I really would be amazed if it does.

jeangeniemusic · 14th April 2005, 12:20 AM

Dor:
I posted in this forum an evaluation of the Rosetta 800 (Apogee says same converters than the 200). I compared it to the Motu 828mk2 and I really wanted to like it.
The thread is called Rosetta 800 evaluation and is 2 or 3 days old. Going to the next page or the one after should get you there. You can read my post and get another take on what you consider being the weakest link in your system as I found out the Rosetta to be the weakest link.

Jeangenie

Dor · 14th April 2005, 01:42 AM

yeah, i read your thread the other day. I 'm happy with the sound of my rosetta 200 vs. the 828. Maybe it's my ears/wallet playing tricks on me but my stereo field and bass response (more defined) seems to have improved from merely switching to the rosetta's clock from the motu internal. I'm loving the way my preamps sound thru the convertors as well. I added a bunch of new gear to my rig at once so i haven't really had time to do a clinical shootout between the units. Too busy mixing & tracking :)

At the very least i've upgraded my i/o options of my daw by adding the x-firewire card. Now it's time to make some music. :)

Peace...

ToddS · 14th April 2005, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Hello, I was wondering if I should expect a big difference recording from my rosetta 200 via the x-firewire card vs. rossetta into the motu 828's optical port. Is it true that going digital to digital is a lossless transfer?

I've been thinking that the motu unit is the weak link in my recording chain & just received the x-firewire card. I will give it a shot tonight but wanted to know if it should technically sound better.

My understanding from something I read on Gearslutz by Max from Apogee is that Firewire has lots of jitter if not implemented right and therefore your 828 may not sound as good as going straight from the Apogee Firewire card. Please post your results when you know.

Quote:

I posted in this forum an evaluation of the Rosetta 800 (Apogee says same converters than the 200). I compared it to the Motu 828mk2 and I really wanted to like it.
The thread is called Rosetta 800 evaluation and is 2 or 3 days old. Going to the next page or the one after should get you there. You can read my post and get another take on what you consider being the weakest link in your system as I found out the Rosetta to be the weakest link.

I just read your other post and frankly I think you may have something really screwed up in your room, or the way you listened, or something.... I have heard both units and there was just no comparison between the two in my opinion. I bet that we would be hard pressed to find anyone who has a Rosetta 800 and a MOTU that feels that the Rosetta was not a big improvement.

jeangeniemusic · 14th April 2005, 04:19 PM

"I just read your other post and frankly I think you may have something really screwed up in your room, or the way you listened, or something.... I have heard both units and there was just no comparison between the two in my opinion. I bet that we would be hard pressed to find anyone who has a Rosetta 800 and a MOTU that feels that the Rosetta was not a big improvement."

Todds:

I am happy it works for you. I really thought I had the piece hooked up wrong. I called Apogee and Motu to verify my hook up. That's how surprised I was.
I am sure it works for some people in their particular configuration of gear since other people like you feel there is a night and day difference. I was really excited by that possibility.
I could suggest/imply that may be something is wrong in your setup or justify my procedure. I have no time for that. I just thought that It might be useful info for someone looking to upgrade his setup.
I truly welcome diversity of opinions. I have found a few boxes that were regarded as hot stuff to sound like ass. I am sure that in between skilled hands they are capable tols. (I do not mean the Rosetta sounds like ass).
Lastly if you work on a PC, I am totally convinced that our experiences with the box might share no common ground (I work on macs).
Whatever it is I am still very interested by the subject and look forward to learn more.
Thank you
Jeangenie

ToddS · 15th April 2005, 06:21 AM

I use a Mac myself, and again the differences to me were obvious, but like you said, everyone is different.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Apogee or MOTU 828 which one is which	JonnyS	Work in progress / advice requested / Show & Tell / Artist showcase	35	31st July 2006 11:55 AM
Apogee Rosetta 800 or MOTU 828 - which is which	JonnyS	So much gear, so little time!	1	13th July 2006 08:03 AM
TC Powercore Firewire & MOTU 828 MKII Firewire, can they work together?	crossfire	Music computers	9	4th March 2005 01:15 PM

13th April 2005, 07:23 PM	#1
Dor Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Emeryville, CA Posts: 1,294	Apogee x-firewire vs. Motu 828 optical conversion Hello, I was wondering if I should expect a big difference recording from my rosetta 200 via the x-firewire card vs. rossetta into the motu 828's optical port. Is it true that going digital to digital is a lossless transfer? I've been thinking that the motu unit is the weak link in my recording chain & just received the x-firewire card. I will give it a shot tonight but wanted to know if it should technically sound better. Thanks in advance. Dor __________________ Dor www.boomspot.com

13th April 2005, 09:26 PM	#3
Dor Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Emeryville, CA Posts: 1,294	thanks for the reply. So you are saying that by adding the x-firewire card, I won't be improving my signal? __________________ Dor www.boomspot.com

14th April 2005, 01:42 AM	#6
Dor Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Emeryville, CA Posts: 1,294	yeah, i read your thread the other day. I 'm happy with the sound of my rosetta 200 vs. the 828. Maybe it's my ears/wallet playing tricks on me but my stereo field and bass response (more defined) seems to have improved from merely switching to the rosetta's clock from the motu internal. I'm loving the way my preamps sound thru the convertors as well. I added a bunch of new gear to my rig at once so i haven't really had time to do a clinical shootout between the units. Too busy mixing & tracking :) At the very least i've upgraded my i/o options of my daw by adding the x-firewire card. Now it's time to make some music. :) Peace... __________________ Dor www.boomspot.com

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

13th April 2005, 08:23 PM	#2
chikkenguy Guest Posts: n/a	they are just different protocols for digital audio transfer. in theory they should be exact duplicates. as for implemantation... i have not heard of any blatant issues with toslink transmission that would cause data loss. also, using the toslink on the motu wouldnt really be "conversion". there should be no change in the data (which would be a conversion), just in the transmission method.

13th April 2005, 09:59 PM	#4
7ciel Gear nut Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 89	I really would be amazed if it does.

14th April 2005, 12:20 AM	#5
jeangeniemusic Gear interested Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chicago Posts: 15	Dor: I posted in this forum an evaluation of the Rosetta 800 (Apogee says same converters than the 200). I compared it to the Motu 828mk2 and I really wanted to like it. The thread is called Rosetta 800 evaluation and is 2 or 3 days old. Going to the next page or the one after should get you there. You can read my post and get another take on what you consider being the weakest link in your system as I found out the Rosetta to be the weakest link. Jeangenie

14th April 2005, 04:19 PM	#8
jeangeniemusic Gear interested Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chicago Posts: 15	"I just read your other post and frankly I think you may have something really screwed up in your room, or the way you listened, or something.... I have heard both units and there was just no comparison between the two in my opinion. I bet that we would be hard pressed to find anyone who has a Rosetta 800 and a MOTU that feels that the Rosetta was not a big improvement." Todds: I am happy it works for you. I really thought I had the piece hooked up wrong. I called Apogee and Motu to verify my hook up. That's how surprised I was. I am sure it works for some people in their particular configuration of gear since other people like you feel there is a night and day difference. I was really excited by that possibility. I could suggest/imply that may be something is wrong in your setup or justify my procedure. I have no time for that. I just thought that It might be useful info for someone looking to upgrade his setup. I truly welcome diversity of opinions. I have found a few boxes that were regarded as hot stuff to sound like ass. I am sure that in between skilled hands they are capable tols. (I do not mean the Rosetta sounds like ass). Lastly if you work on a PC, I am totally convinced that our experiences with the box might share no common ground (I work on macs). Whatever it is I am still very interested by the subject and look forward to learn more. Thank you Jeangenie

15th April 2005, 06:21 AM	#9
ToddS Gear addict Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Everywhere Posts: 390	I use a Mac myself, and again the differences to me were obvious, but like you said, everyone is different.