1224 or Ultralite?

[Freddy Bloggs]

For a backup system i'm setting up- which has better clock &/or converters?
I'm assuming ultralite but i'm not sure so please let me know what you think.
Cheers.

[XYZ]

From what I can glean from the MOTU website, the 1224 seems to be from the "MkII" generation of MOTU technological advancement. When MOTU went to the Mk3, they improved the clocking to a DDS PLL approach, which will normally be a better source for a clock.

But the ultralite can't be word clock synchronized, so it is what it is and can't take advantage of a better clock, whereas the 1224 will slave to a high quality clock.

In summary, for a backup system, the ultralite is most likely going to have a better clock, but the A/Ds seem like they have more dynamic range on the 1224. So if you are recording line level input, I might lean into the 1212.

But why not an 828? This has everything a traveler has, and will allow external synch. It also has the flexibility of firewire.

[Freddy Bloggs]

Thanks! I already own both the 1224 & the ultralite- so i've got to choose- not buying anything just yet.
I am going in line level so maybe the 1224 is the better option for now..

[XYZ]

Also, you could always get a black lion clock for a few hundred bucks, and see if it improves the imaging, since the 1224 will slave to a word clock.