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Here's one more question. Most of the pres mentioned do not have A/D conversion. How are people getting the preamp output into DP? Do I need a second high end box to do the A/D conversion and a third high end box to clock everything? It seems as though the Traveler is not gonna help me do this.

There is definitely a very audible quality difference between a good outboard AD and a built-in AD in an interface. Of course the price reflects that.

Now there are new (and pretty damn good) boxes by Apogee (like the Duet) that aren't as expensive as things used to be, but I haven't tested them side-by-side with either the more expensive two-channel ADs or with competitor's small interfaces like the MOTU Traveller. So they may or may not be an improvement, I couldn't tell you. I did get tracks that were recorded through the Apogee Duet using outboard mic pres for mixing recently, and they sounded pretty damn nice. (The duet has built-in pres as well, don't know how they sound.)

Now, boxes like the Benchmark ADC1, Lavry AD10 or the brand-new Prismsound Lyra (haven't heard that one, but man, the bigger Prism Sound boxes are killer, so I have high hopes...) are definitely a step up from any interface. But keep in mind, the Traveller mk3 gets you 8 channels of AD *and* 8 channels of DA for just 800 bucks, the Benchmark ADC1 costs north of $1500 for two channels of AD only. It better sound better for that...

I love love LOVE my Benchmark DAC1s for DA. For AD I still have my Lucid Audio 9624 that's no longer in production. It's getting a bit long in the tooth, but still kills the AD in my 2408mk3 dead. Again, considering the price difference it better...

Most of the time I go through an old hardware Waves L2 for my A/D conversion (S/PDIF into my original 828), but many times I just use the analog ins on the 828 from the L2 and it sounds virtually the same. I was surprised.

Quality pres and mics make a bigger difference IMHO than the converters.

By the way, Kubi, I had a chance to mix an important track today with the recently acquired VCC on virtually every channel and was blown away by the sound I was getting..... thanks for the tip.

You're welcome! Glad it's doing the trick!

As for AD converters making less of a difference - try a Benchmark or Lavry vs. your 828 (or vs. the L2) and call me in the morning...