Has the Aardvark Q10 seen its day?

Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 11:41 am

Hi Guys,
I thought this would be a good place to post a question on my soundcard.
I have a small recording studio which I started obviously like so many for my own recordings.
I am wondering if this soundcard (Aardvark Q10) still holds clout vs some of the new cards coming out these days. I should mention I have also Motu 828 II for my portable stuff that I do outside our little studio. I actually like the sound more coming from my Q10.
I am thinking that possibly summing my mix outside my DAW may improve my sound as well. Again I am on a limited budget.
I use Cubase 3 as my main recording software.
For whatever reason what comes out of my monitors always sounds better than my final export. I record in 24 bit for all my stuff and render out in 16 bit/44.1 .
I love the fact that I still have 8 pres and so I am wondering what is comparable out there today.
I see some are starting to replace there Q10's with Fireface 800's and Presonus gear.
Thanks for the input to come. Ask me if you need more info or maybe give advice if I should explore other things besides sound cards.

Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 10:52 am

The Aardvark Q10s were (are) indeed nice boxes regardless of price.

I think the biggest problem is that they simply went out of business. If they hadn't, I suspect we'd see some SERIOUSLY nice Firewire boxes from them by now!

That being said, I think the FF800 blows it out of the water.

As for the MOTU stuff - I've only ever used a 2408 MKII and other than driver headaches, it was a good sounding unit. It never made me smile, but it never made me frown either.

Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 4:19 pm

So so far I have one vote for the RME Fireface 800.
On what merits besides inputs and more interfaces makes the FF800 a better card?
Also is there anything else out there in recent production that would make a better card but with similar features.

The expandability of the Motu 2408 is very appealling from what I have seen in other projects but if it has the same preamps as my 828 II, it probably won't impress me.

Thanks for the input so far.
Any feedback welcome.

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