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anonymous 11 July 2005

Hi! I guess this must be a pretty hackneyed topic, but I'm in the market for a new sound card. I have a few options:
1. Echo (Layla or the AudioFire 8
2. Emu 1820
3. RME Multiface with the PCI (a bit too expensive for me)
4. Anything with pristine quality with as many inputs as possible (ouputs aren't important - a stereo pair will do just fine).

My budget is probably around $400-$600 max. I would really appreciate it if anyone could recommend something really good.
Some of the features I'm looking for are:
balanced inputs ( as many as possible)
MIDI (not mandatory, but would be a plus)
SPDIF I/O
TOSLINK I/O
Rock solid drivers
ADAT interface would be good (since I have an old ADAT, and I can use it as a breakout box), but not in place of 24-bit analog I/O
Mic preamps (not necessary)

Comments

anonymous Thu, 07/14/2005 - 05:16

Hi ac,
you don't mention whether you are Mac or a PC sort of person. Before we spark a debate on that choice, i only mention it because it may have influence on your

Rock solid drivers

requirement.

I'm faced with a similar choice, and i've narrowed it down (based on AUD$ prices) to...
1. E-Mu 1820M
2. Presonus Firepod
3. MOTU 828 Mk II

Anything RME or Lynx is off-scale budget-wise. The 828mkII would be my top $ @ ~1500Aud$. The Firepod and 1820M are a little cheaper @ ~1200Aud$. At this stage i'm inclined towards the 828MkII because it has more flexible I/O, Mains power. What i am not sure of is stability under Windoze. Yes, i understand that Mac is a superior animal, but M. Gates owns my soul atm, let's not pursue that choice any further.

So does anyone have any strong opinions either way on these choices?
AudioCurry, not trying to hijack your thread, i hope these questions are just as relevant to you...

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