896 HD vs. mk3 advice

[LowRider]

I like my 896HD...is there any reason to 'upgrade' to 896mk3?

I have looked around on the internet for a Real answer to this question but have found none.

Also, where did the cute -4db/ line/ mic switches go on the back panel?

Much Thanks

[Dwetmaster]

I still have both HD and mk3 and here are my pros:
CueMix FX: hability to have up to 8 mixes and FX...
ADAT I/O: Two instead of one.
SPDIF I/O: Both RCA and Toslink
Construction: Volume pots seem more solid

Cons: Not sure how to bypass the Pres aside from using the ADAT I/O

[LowRider]

thanks Dwet...seeing as I don't use adat or spdif I think I'll stick with the HD for a while!

[Dwetmaster]

Enhanced cuemix is a definite plus though. I use more than 4 mixes all the time...

[G. Arfaras]

I believe you can bypass the 896's pre by using the "line" feed and disabling the 48v switch.
Isn't this achieved by using a TRS cord?

[Dwetmaster]

On the 896mk3, there's no more switch for line/mic/Fixed
The TRS is a combo Jack so I would assume it's directly connected to the same place as the XLR is?

[G. Arfaras]

The "48v" switch on the front panel assigned to each channel should do the trick!

[barreltone]

The "48v" switch on the front panel assigned to each channel should do the trick!

The switch only engages phantom power, it doesn't engage the preamp. If I have a dynamic mic, I don't need that switch on to make the preamp work.

I didn't know the switches on the back of the 896HD (mic/line/+4) weren't carried over to the mk3. I'm happy with my HD.

[RayS]

Hey Dwetmaster, I wanted to know about your experience with the 896 MK3 in terms of quality and drivers (stability) I own 3 HD units and although I did have to ship them all to MOTU for repairs at one time or another they 've managed to work for me and not let me down .......I could get another one to have 2 fully redundant playback systems for our live shows and I hear scary stories with the MK3........also I guess you have compared with the BLA modded??

Thanks

[Dwetmaster]

The HD didn't forgive you if you mistakenly plug a 1/4 jack with the phantom power on. Jumped preamp automatically. It happened to me once with my mk3 and the preamp is still alive. So it seems they've improved the input in terms of protection. Besides of that, I don't know if it's a a huge improvment over the HD. I don't care about the improved clock and such as I'm clocking externally anyways.

Too bad that, with the mk3, anything you do on a channel in cuemix FX will be carried to the recorded signal in DP. That alone made cuemix FX useless to me as I still wanted to record everything dry.

That being said the better routing capabilities of the mk3 over the HD made it well worthwhile for what I use it for. The SPDIF out to my Presonus Central Station is also a GREAT addition.

My 896HD is still the main input sources for me as I still prefer the BLA mods to the stock mk3. Note that I never made any scientific blindfolded testing...