2408mk3 vs Firewire

[akumpis]

I'm using a 2408mk3 on a G5. It's time to upgrade to a Mac Pro, but now I have to purchase a $300 PCI-e card in order for my system to work. I'm debating on either paying MOTU $300 (which is ridiculous in my opinion) or just purchase one of their new firewire interfaces. I'm not using any of the TDIF or ADAT connections on my interface. What do you guys think?

[gseibert]

I went through the same thing. Couldn't decide between a new 896 or just get the card. I ended up selling my PCI-X card on e-bay and getting the card from MOTU. Sold the PCI-X for about $150. This was a little over a year ago, so the market could have changed since then. That was my cheapest, and easiest route. I wanted the 16 channels of ADAT to interface with my mixer, so keeping the 2408 caused the least amount of change for the smallest cash outlay. I needed to conserve after the Mac Pro.

[akumpis]

I thought about doing this. Does a firewire audio interface put any strain on the computer compared to a PCI card? The new 828 mk3 looks very impressive. That's the one I am looking at.

[Adam Howden]

I too am considering this option. I want to upgrade to from 2 G5s (video and audio) to one Mac Pro. I run a Decklink Video Card, a Atto tech UL3D SCSI, a Motu 2408 MkIII and a UAD-1.
Including the video card thats 4 slots, Mac's have 3 - excluding the shipped video card slot.

I've had my 2408 mod'd by Black Lion Audio and am considering buying a 828MkIII and getting it tweaked there as well. So new system would be - Mac Pro, Decklink, SATA Card, UAD-2 and internal video card with an 828MkIII to boot!

Anyone had any prob with latency through firewire etc I generally run about 35-40 tracks, combination of programmed drums, live synths, live guitars, vocals and whatever else...

[fokof]

I asked myself this too , I have a Motu PCI , a UAD-1 , and a RAID card.
I found this interesting solution ;
http://www.virtuavia.eu/shop/index.php? ... t_id=29809" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Would cost less than change everything , would leave other PCI-e open. Has enough Throughput for all.
I could even get some other cheap older UAD1 !!!

[nick danger]

I've had my 2408 mod'd by Black Lion Audio and am considering buying a 828MkIII and getting it tweaked there as well.

Last time I looked, they don't list any mods for the mkIII firewire models. Or would they essentially do the same mods as on the older models?

[akumpis]

So far, I still think PCI audio interface drivers are more stable than firewire or USB. I constantly see threads on forums regarding unstable drivers for firewire and/or USB drivers. I didn't know about Black Lion Audio. That's actually really neat that they can upgrade the converters. How much difference have you seen since you upgraded your 2408?

[James Steele]

...paying MOTU $300 (which is ridiculous in my opinion)...

Naturally.