Best affordable 8-channel A/D D/A?

[innerbooty]

I was just wondering what people thought a good option might be for replacing the 888 on my Mix+ system. I just took the relatively expensive plunge on a Rosetta 800, which in the informal shootouts I've done thus far knocks the living socks off the 888. But I really want to have 16 in/out. Any other options out there that might sound better than the 888, but not cost as much as the Rosetta?

 

[Doublehelix]

I think RME has just released an 8-channel A/D in a single rack space...got a pretty good review in SOS.

 

[musicalhair]

I have the RME ADI-8 AE and I'm happy with it, but I've never used the Apogees or more-high-end converters. Most of the RME stuff goes to 96 Khz and I think the new 9652 soundcard (not what your looking for) is the only thing they make that goes to 192 K.

Here is a link to the RME web page. http://www.rme-audio.de/english/index.htm

The thing is "Best" and "Affordable" are too often mutually exclusive, and really subjective.

 

[MisterBlue]

I own the RME ADI-8PRO converter system and I think it's great. I can't directly compare it to Apogee or other systems but I have seen a solid improvement over some of the less expensive systems like M-Audio and MOTU.

The only point to notice is that the above mentioned unit only goes up to 48kHz/24-bit which is fine with me but might be a showstopper for others. RME also offer a 96/24 unit (ADI8-DS?) at a slightly higher price.

These are not cheap units but they hit in my humble opinion the sweet spot of quality vs. price.

MisterBlue.

 

[MisterBlue]

To add a little piece of related information:

I believe that the "AE" version (Anniversay Edition) mentioned by musicalhair is the DS with different converter chips. I believe it is a little bit less expensive than the DS but probably also very good ... The specs at least look excellent as well.

MisterBlue.

 

[Roly]

Swissonic makes an 8 channel pre with a couple digital out options.
Roly

 

[JavaJunkie]

Since you already have the Apogee this is probably not for you, but for others considering an AD/DA upgrade here's the solution we came up with-RADAR! Clock and converters that can't be beat, crashless tracking, a portable 24 track recorder, and digital I/O of your choice for AD/DA for your DAW for overdubs and mixing.

 

[sdevino]

Frontier Design's Tango is very nice and is very affordable.

You can also get used ADAT XT20s for about $350. That is probably one of the best deals there is.

Steve

 

[Doublehelix]

I've heard good things about the Swissonics unit as well, and I know someone who just did a shootout between his Rosetta 48K, the RME and the Swissonics, and chose the Swissonics. Better sound at 44.1 and at 96, but the Apogee was the winner at 48K interestingly enough!

 

[madmansoundman]

What is the web address for the RADAR unit? Thanks