To upgrade or not - THAT is the question.

[ZoD]

Hello all.

I'm currently using a Digi002 interface. I've read a ton of forum stuff about this vs. that, and I've ended up with a lot of data - but no clarity. I simply don't know where the Digi 002 stands in terms of latency and sound quality, compare to what's out there right now. So I'm asking for feedback on one basic question:

If I were to upgrade from the Digi002, what (firewire) interface would YOU consider to be the "next step up" - given the same BASIC features (e.g. inputs, outputs, etc.)?

Thanks for your feedback!

ZoD

P.S. I realize this could easily become another debate incorporating endless detail - and I don't want that. There are enough of those threads already. I'm simply asking for your "bottom-line" answer!

[spaz bouviere]

alright mate, i used to have a 002r and they sound great, love the adat for extra in/ out. i blew the f/w interface coz i thought you could hotwire them but you cant, there you go. dont know what the asio is like but i cant be arsed to go back to pt now. so perhaps the upgrade could be via adat and then you get 12 mic ins, i'd be tempted......

[ZoD]

...thanks for the reply!

...looks like there isn't much interest in this...

Have a great one!

ZoD

[beingmf]

hey ZoD - since there's a common opinion about 002's NOT to sound good and NOT to be reliable (a friend of mine has nothing but trouble, for years!), which i can agree upon completely, i must repeat my firewire interface mantra Steinberg MR816X Steinberg MR816X SteinbergMR816X... ingenious converters, above-middle-class preamps, great editor software, mine has not had a single "misbehaviour" since i've had it. can't recommend it enough! DEFINITELY better than RME, not joking!

[HomoNeophilus]

If the 002 is working for you I can't see much of a reason to switch. Depending what you do more i/o could be useful though so adding a few converters by ADAT would be one way to go.
At the 002 we had in a previous studio the ADAT unfortunately stopped working so wouldn't really recommend it for stability...
Plus, if you're recording in 88.2 or 96 khz you're reduced to only four channels on your ADAT and usually some trouble setting everything up.

What to upgrade to is of course dependent on what you need and how much you're prepared to spend... If I had the money I think I would go for 8 or 16 channels Lynx Aurora interface. Can be fitted with FW if you like or if you have a stationary computer connect to a PCIe card (any AES/EBU interface really).
You'll need to get mic preamps though which adds even more to the costs but could really be worth it if you want to step up a bit.
http://www.lynxstudio.com/product_detail.asp?i=50

Mytek has a similar product. I've only tried their 2 channel ADC but it was great. Very transparent if that's what you're after. A bit pricier than the Lynx though... And you'd still need preamps of course.
http://www.mytekdigital.com/products/8x192adda.htm

[ZoD]

Thanks guys.

I appreciate the input... that helps...

ZoD