Soundcard/Converters: Bang for the buck

StefanColson · 11th February 2006

I'm looking for a soundcard and/or external conversion that will offer the best possible sound quality for my budget. I need:

Atleast stereo analog I/O right now, with the option to upgrade to atleast 8in 6out for not a ton of cash (or more I/O now depending on the options).
SPDIF I/O
ADAT I/O would be nice.
WC in would be nice, but isn't a dealbreaker.
Some sort of no-latency monitoring solution

I had an 828 mkii, but the converters were crap. I've been thinking about the RME Multiface II, but I'm not sure if I can do better for the money. I thought about the Lynx cards, but I don't know how easily and cheaply they can be upgraded for more analog I/O. Thought about a cheap PCI card and an outboard converter, but I don't know if I can beat the RME or Lynx conversion with my budget. I also thought about the Yamaha i88x, but I haven't heard the unit, and I don't know about the converter quality.

I have a pair of outboard pres, and I'm planning on adding more, so built in pres aren't important (although if the unit comes with them and they don't suck that's a bonus). I'm primarily concerned with converter quality. PCI or Firewire is fine.

Budget: Preferably around $1000, but I can probably stretch to $1500 if it will make a huge difference.

StefanColson · 12th February 2006

Bump.

vixapphire · 12th February 2006

i've got an RME HDSP 96/52 pci card; the difference between it and the motu 828 i used to have is ridiculous. the RME is fabulous. I don't know whether the firewire factor plays into the clocking, but the RME card is so much more solid than the 828 was, it's made everything, including formerly shite sounding softsynths, sound eons better.

good luck.

jslevin · 12th February 2006

No comparison between MOTU and RME sound quality. RME makes very good stuff, and you'll probably pay twice as much for anything even slightly better. I'd consider getting a Fireface and a FireWire card, rather than a PCI-card solution.

If you're a Mac user, you might also consider a Metric-Halo 2882. And if you're serious about stereo i/o being enough for now, you might even consider a Metric-Halo ULN-2. Very nice AD/DA and interface, and two very nice preamps as well, price is quite reasonable.

Option to add more i/o later = you can always buy another interface. Buy now what you need now.

StefanColson · 12th February 2006

Why firewire over PCI?

jslevin · 12th February 2006

More flexible and more future-proof. You can move a FireWire interface between computers with very little trouble. A Firewire interface can be used with desktop or laptop, PC or Mac, and the most you'd ever have to add would be a cheap FireWire card. A PCI solution locks you out of all laptops and also won't be compatible with PCIexpress. Finally, I personally won't put my AD/DA anywhere near the inside of a computer. You can avoid doing so with PCI, but it's even easier when you use an external device.

AnalogBob · 12th February 2006

If your MAC bang for buck will be the Apogee Ensemble it might be a bit over your budget
but would be good if wha there claiming is true

11th February 2006	#1
StefanColson Gear addict Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Boston Posts: 309 Thread Starter	Soundcard/Converters: Bang for the buck I'm looking for a soundcard and/or external conversion that will offer the best possible sound quality for my budget. I need: Atleast stereo analog I/O right now, with the option to upgrade to atleast 8in 6out for not a ton of cash (or more I/O now depending on the options). SPDIF I/O ADAT I/O would be nice. WC in would be nice, but isn't a dealbreaker. Some sort of no-latency monitoring solution I had an 828 mkii, but the converters were crap. I've been thinking about the RME Multiface II, but I'm not sure if I can do better for the money. I thought about the Lynx cards, but I don't know how easily and cheaply they can be upgraded for more analog I/O. Thought about a cheap PCI card and an outboard converter, but I don't know if I can beat the RME or Lynx conversion with my budget. I also thought about the Yamaha i88x, but I haven't heard the unit, and I don't know about the converter quality. I have a pair of outboard pres, and I'm planning on adding more, so built in pres aren't important (although if the unit comes with them and they don't suck that's a bonus). I'm primarily concerned with converter quality. PCI or Firewire is fine. Budget: Preferably around $1000, but I can probably stretch to $1500 if it will make a huge difference. __________________ --- Stefan Colson

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12th February 2006	#2
StefanColson Gear addict Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Boston Posts: 309 Thread Starter	Bump.

12th February 2006	#3
vixapphire Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,493	i've got an RME HDSP 96/52 pci card; the difference between it and the motu 828 i used to have is ridiculous. the RME is fabulous. I don't know whether the firewire factor plays into the clocking, but the RME card is so much more solid than the 828 was, it's made everything, including formerly shite sounding softsynths, sound eons better. good luck.

12th February 2006	#4
jslevin Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2004 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 2,714	No comparison between MOTU and RME sound quality. RME makes very good stuff, and you'll probably pay twice as much for anything even slightly better. I'd consider getting a Fireface and a FireWire card, rather than a PCI-card solution. If you're a Mac user, you might also consider a Metric-Halo 2882. And if you're serious about stereo i/o being enough for now, you might even consider a Metric-Halo ULN-2. Very nice AD/DA and interface, and two very nice preamps as well, price is quite reasonable. Option to add more i/o later = you can always buy another interface. Buy now what you need now.

12th February 2006	#7
AnalogBob Gear addict Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 490	If your MAC bang for buck will be the Apogee Ensemble it might be a bit over your budget but would be good if wha there claiming is true