Converter upgrade

[simocamo]

Hi there,

Need some precious help regarding improving my actual crappy gear.

I use a music build PC with a Focusrite saffire Pro 26 FW connected via adat to a 02r Yamaha mixer, that i use for monitoring and mixing and also for conversion.

Mic pres (isa, slp, amek and various custom) go to yamaha line in and to ygdai adat out to saffire and to pc.

So I have 16 ch of pre to pc and 24 mix out from the card (16 adat and 8 analog)

I want to throw away the saffire (awful driver, crappy support, I hate seeing it in my rack, too) .

I was thinkin' 'bout buying a SSL alpha link for conversion, 'cause I read it has a good price/quality ratio.

The quesiton is:

Is better to buy a SSL XTREME MADI card to send audio to pc (then i'll have 24 adat out from the alpha for mixing to the 02R) or something like a Firestudio Lightpipe FW (32 adat out to 02R and 16 in from the SSL)?

My main concern is about realtime monitoring when recording.

I will be able to route the 16 pres to SSL alpha and monitor via the analog outputs to the 02R?

Or could I use the adat out from the SSL alpha going to 02R to monitor incoming analog pres???

I''m afraid not using the mixer for monitoring .. I hate moving faders with a mouse...

Thank you in advance for andy advice.

Cheers

SiMo

[simocamo]

Plz...