XXHighEnd

Hi Peter,

I have the impression that a small part of the functionality of the Fireface is used in the complete chain to create a analog signal. "RME's Fireface 800 is the world's most powerful FireWire audio interface ever. Up to 56 channels record/playback......Eight balanced line inputs and outputs ......." Even the Fireface 400 has impressive specs. 36 channel....

It's connected via the PC firewire interface and delivers a SPDIF signal to the DAC. Are there cheaper alternatives to create a quality SPDIF signal? Which properties are important for a good selection?

e.g. http://www.echoaudio.com/Products/FireWire/AudioFire2/specs.php

Regards,

Johan

Hi Johan

Yes this one:

http://www.hagtech.com/hagusb.html


or you can buy my FireFace 400 for 300,- Euro + transport and custom clearance.

Gerner

Hello Gerner,

if Johan doesn't want it, I will buy it  !

Leo

Hey Gerner,

Do you have this one? And this is trough USB i thought that firewire was the best for XX or am i mistaking?

Grtz Gerard

Hi Gerner,


I had the idea that the best route for audioplayback is via PC=>firewire=>fireface400=>SPDIF=>DAC!

Please could you descripe the sound differences when you listen via the FireFace400 (SPDIF) and direct via the USB=>Twindac+?

At the moment I am using a USB unit (SPDIF out, from the Twindac) as input for the DDDAC1543.

Regards,

Johan

???

I am using a USB-to-SPDIF converter bought in the past from Bert. He (has) used it in his TwinDAC. The DDDAC1543 has only a SPDIF input!

What about the FireFace alternatives? e.g. AudioFire2

Johan

Hi Johan,

I honestly don't know the answer. :no:
I guess it's a matter of buy an trial ...



Personally (!!) I don't think you are mistaking, but all is a matter what works out best for your system. For example, looking at ChrisV and his glitch problems, supposed they are not there with USB, what would be better net ? So all is subjective ...

To me, the sound of the TwinDAC+ USB connected, has something like the musicions don't want to come forward ... not introdue themselves, liveless. This too is a personal opinion which is subjective to things. For example, I always found the lower frequencies better when the TwinDAC+ is USB connected.

But again, I don't know ... :sorry:
Peter

Dear Johan ...Dear Leo

Sorry I was unable to repond to you both. I have been away for a while.

Yes I have a FF for sale that price. PM me each of you and who comes first.....Well in this topic in a way you did Leo!

I have a Hagerman too, though this is not for sale as it's on a borow from a friend. It's a very cheap solution for those who has'nt any. And good for those who has a "bad" one inside their DAC.

Now to the questions which USB/SPDIF is BEST of all. I honestly don't know. I guess it depends on if an eventual used DAC has one on board and that's taken into account too.

What  can I tell you, those I heard has some very little difference. I was recomended the FF and it's good. And does however offer customized settings for whatever make your music come out. Yes! But the Hagerman is no worse, but different sounding.
So is my "on board" USB/SPDIF in my DAC.

In a blind test I'm not sure who to point a winner. I could live with them all, with a small + to the FF.

Be aware though that it is always good to download the latest .dll drivers for the FF. It's so to speak a dynamical one of a kind in this respect.


Gerner

Hello Gerner,

your private mail is hidden. And  I still would want to buy the fireface from you. You can mail me at .  l dot van dot doorn1 at casema.nl

regards,

Leo

Hi Leo

Lousy e-mail you have  :(  hahaha. Try this: gerner dot christensen at gmail dot com

Gerner

I always liked RME products... so if Leo doesn't buy your FF400, I'm very much interested :)

It seems that the FF for sale is gone. But I found more soundcards in the same pricerange:

-Behringer FCA202 (VERY cheap, around 100€, not sure of outputs)
http://www.behringer.com/FCA202/index.cfm?lang=eng

-m-audio audiophile firewire, around 200€ used (has spdif out with AC3 and DTS support -that would be good for movies)
(discontinued)

-m-audio Firewire 410 ($400 list, around 250€ on ebay) (has spdif out with AC3 and DTS support -that would be good for movies)
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/FireWire410-main.html

Forget about Behringers !
cr*ppy hardware, cr*ppy software (drivers). The're just too cheap. :yes:

and no spdif outputs.
/me deletes...

I hate m-audio speakers but people praise their soundcards, maybe that's a viable option.

OK, I'm here again because I decided to get an audio interface that will replace the internal dmx6fire of my studio "music" PC.

0) Must be firewire. 400 or 800 doesnt matter (my workstation has 400 only onboard and I'm not buying a dedicated controller)

1) Have SQ comparable to the Fireface when used as digital (spdif out) transport only. I need this to compare the SQ of my modded Teac with the Computer transport, using 16/44.1 sources and the NOS TwinDAC+.

2) Use exclusive mode with xxhighend.

3) Costs less than 300€ and have decent SQ on its own for being left to the studio pc (vista workstation with Tannoy Reveal 5s acrtive speakers) when I'll find the ultimate high-res dac.

4) Must be available in Europe.

I was considering:

-ESI Duafire (not sure of the SQ)
-Something from m-audio (but i dont trust much their quality)
-A used FF400, but they go to 400-500€ at least.
-Apogee duet does NOT work under Vista, thanks to those i*iots that think only about mac
-Something from EMU maybe?
-Something else?

Hi Telstar,

I'm using a terratec phase 24FW, costed 175€.
All I could find on the internet about it was very positive. But most in German, I guess Italians can read German??
Just my 10 cents.

No, we don't normally learn German at school ;)
Terratec eh? My dmx6 fire is a Terratec one, an excellent value, lasted for 10 years, but now it is time to upgrade and i DO WANT to use the exclusive mode of xxhe on my studio pc.

Where did you buy it for 175€? Does it have good drivers for Vista? Do you use XXHE model #3 in exclusive mode, don't u?

With SP1 there is a good chance of using exclusive mode, but not now because it needs/wants/.. 24 bits.
I bought it at a internetshop in Holland, I don't know if a can name it here but it was komplett.nl.
I use engine #3 and it sounds better then my modified Rotel RCD990 cd-player (with XXHE of course)
I hope with the new XXHE revolutionary version it will sound better than my tubed recordplayer  ;)