Traveler mk3 preamps vs. Apogee Duet

[mellowdramatic]

Does anyone have experience with the current MOTU mk3 preamps to compare them to the Apogee Duet/Ensemble counterparts? Is the difference in sound between the two units dramatic? Thanks.

[BradLyons]

The Traveler is a wonderful interface as is the Duet, but they are both quite different from each other. IMHO, the pres on the Duet are FABULOUS---but it won't matter if it's not the right interface for you. What are your needs and what do you hope to accomplish?

[kassonica]

I'm sorry but motu pre's are just not that good, as for apogee well, the name says it all

[nick danger]

As Brad points out, it depends on what your needs are, as well as your budget.

If you only need two input and two output channels, then the Duet is the obviously better option, given that it's got better pres and convertors, while costing several hundred dollars less.

But if you need 10 inputs, including 4 pres, and 8 outputs, plus lots of digital i/o, then the comparable Apogee model would be the Ensemble, which has many fewer features while costing more than twice as much.