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I'm looking into getting SUPERB AD/DA converters. Was thinking of going with Apogee.

First off...how do the converters on the HD series' in MOTU compare to Apogee converters?

Next, which is better all around ... the 896HD or the 192HD?

Don't think there is any diff in the converters in the 2 motu pieces but would call them to make sure. I have the hd192 and really like it. Much improved over my 2408's and mackie d8b converters. I decided to go this route for the bang for the buck ratio and ease of implementing all these inputs into my system. Easier and cheaper then an apogee equivalent. At this point it's not about the gear anymore but the quality source material (musician, instrument, song).

i agree with all points but the last one. Today they wouldnt record lennon on cheap converters and 57s and a portastudio.

how are the speed comparisons (input, output, thruput) of the firewire vs audiowire?

Originally posted by daveyboy:
Don't think there is any diff in the converters in the 2 motu pieces but would call them to make sure. I have the hd192 and really like it.

Actually the 192 has the best converter of all motu interfaces...just ask motu tech. It's the most expensive motu interface for a reason. If you email motu tech and ask for specific specs on the units, they'll give'em to you. On paper...motu 192 has better specs...but they both (896 and 192...i have them both) sound pretty good.

<small>[ June 18, 2005, 12:50 PM: Message edited by: iMAS ]</small>

Originally posted by wonder:
I'm looking into getting SUPERB AD/DA converters. Was thinking of going with Apogee.

First off...how do the converters on the HD series' in MOTU compare to Apogee converters?

Next, which is better all around ... the 896HD or the 192HD?

For sure the apogee (like the ad/da16X for example) are better than any of the motu's units. But the review for Motu Hd192 in Mix magazine said that the hd192 were better than the apogee AD16 (not the AD 16X). If you read the review for the Apogee big Ben in Mix mag (or go to mixonline.com)...they said it drastically improved the Motu Hd192. So a big ben with an hd192 is a pretty darn good combo. For me that's good enough.

THe motu hd192 DA's...well...that's another story.

The DA's are no good on the 192?

Originally posted by wonder:
The DA's are no good on the 192?

They're slightly different. The AD's are supposedly better.
At least that's what most of the reviews on the Hd192 says.
But I emailed motu tech and they replied with:

"Thank you for your interest.

A/D and D/A conversion have the same specifications on the HD192 interface (with the exception of impedance).
Frequency response from 20hz to 48khz +/- .2db at 96khz sample rate.
THD %.001
120db dynamic range
14db of headroom as referenced to +4db analog 0VU.
Input impedance 10,000 ohms
Output impedance under 100ohms

I look forward to answering all your technical questions.

If I can be of further service, please let me know.

Dave Roberts - MOTU"

(btw, I mix ITB, so DA is not as important of a factor to me...)

<small>[ June 18, 2005, 07:16 PM: Message edited by: iMAS ]</small>

Pro Tools people will probably bash me on this...but i have been to commercial studios and have been able to listen to the pt's 192 interface w/ some of the best apogee's converter and clocks and compared it to a motu hd192...the difference was small. Only golden type ears would really appreciate it...while the general public would have no idea. IMHO, $3,000+ for apogee converters were overpriced considering the difference I heard.
If you have $3,000 to spend...spend it on GREAT mics and preamp FIRST !!!! Then if you still have money to throw away...go for an apogee. BUT Motu Hd192 plus a big ben and you got a great sounding setup.

all of that email response is like hieroglyphics to me...

Originally posted by wonder:
all of that email response is like hieroglyphics to me...

yea, but bottom line is that motu's hd192 is fairly priced for what you get...and I see that you already have the big ben...nice.

Originally posted by wonder:
I'm looking into getting SUPERB AD/DA converters. Was thinking of going with Apogee.

Have you thought about getting Lavry or Mytek instead?

http://www.lavryengineering.com/

http://www.mytekdigital.com/products.htm

do you use these products?

How do they compare to apogee (in performance and price)?

Originally posted by wonder:
do you use these products?

How do they compare to apogee (in performance and price)?

Wonder, I am currently saving up for the Lavry Blue series AD. I have done quite a bit of research on different forums and found that according to a lot of people, Lavry and Mytek sound a lot better than Apogee. Of course, this is just opinion. If you email Nathan at http://atlasproaudio.com/
he will give you his opinion since he has listened to the Lavry's and Myteks. If you go to prosoundweb.com and search the forums, you will find a lot of opinions on Lavry vs. Apogee. Some engineers over there even consider the Apogees a "mid-range converter". I know these are just opinions but they know much more about audio than i do and have much more experience with high-end converters than me. Unfortunately, I can only go by opinions right now since no one in Atlanta has any of these converters available in a nice quiet room for critical listening. I decided on the Lavry Blue because it's a modular system. I don't see myself recording more than 4 channels at a time for now so i will get the 4 channel version and i can add to it later. If I clock from the Lavry's then my Motu unit's sound will also improve. I was going to get the Apogee AD-16X but I am not gonna need all those channels right now. So the Lavry seems really good for me.

<small>[ June 18, 2005, 08:26 PM: Message edited by: ryst ]</small>

sounds good. So the lavryBlue is a 4channel? FINALLY a 4 channel AD!!!

I have a BIGBEN and am debating whether to go with a LAVRY or comparable AD or an HD192....

Also...whats the prices for LAVRY? I cant find them anywhere!

<small>[ June 18, 2005, 08:37 PM: Message edited by: wonder ]</small>

I habe the Lavry Blue A/D and D/A (2 channels) and just love it. I' ve also tried Mytek but settled for the Lavry because it sounds more balanced. The Mytek seems like more 'analog-tape' sounding...

If you have the extra cash, don't buy Apogee. I listened to some material through those converters, never done an A/B with my Lavry, but they sure sound harsh.

Or you could go with Pacific Microsonics ($18,000) if you have the cash, of course.