Digidesign 003 Factory vs RME Fireface 800+Mackie Control Pro

[joker1]

Hey there,

Got a little query I'd like to ask you guys about. Im setting up a rig involving 2 Focusrite 8 channel preamps. I was going to go with the Digidesign 003 Factory, but then realized that it only has one ADAT input, meaning that one preamp will go into the ADAT and the second will have to be outputed through the 25pin jack output into the jack inputs of the 003, resulting in considerable quality loss.

The other option I could choose to go with is the RME fireface 800 as the audio interface, which has 2 ADAT inputs for both preamps. I can then connect a Mackie Control Universal Pro control surface to the rme and bam Im good to go.

Let me know what you guys think...

Thanks,
Jay

[brandondrury]

I was going to go with the Digidesign 003 Factory, but then realized that it only has one ADAT input, meaning that one preamp will go into the ADAT

Well, not necessary. ADAT Lightpipe passes 8 channels at 44.1 so you'd be able to send 8 preamps to into a 003 via ADAT.

the second will have to be outputed through the 25pin jack output into the jack inputs of the 003, resulting in considerable quality loss

I HIGHLY doubt that "considerable" is the right word here. I'd say that "neglible" or "not quite neglible" is probably a better word unless the 003 has dramatically crappier converters than my Presonus Firestudio or my Delta 1010s.

The other option I could choose to go with is the RME fireface 800 as the audio interface, which has 2 ADAT inputs for both preamps.

You mean 16 preamps, not "both", right?

[joker1]

When I say 'preamp' I mean like all 8 of the preamps. So what Im basically saying is that my setup will oblige me to have 8 channels come into the 003 by ADAT, and 8 more into the jack inputs... Its basically the 8 channels going into the jacks which have me worried about quality loss...

[brandondrury]

Its basically the 8 channels going into the jacks which have me worried about quality loss...

Tell me if you can hear the "quality loss" here:
Recording Gear Quiz - Vintech, Trident, Mytek, Royer, Shure, and Presonus

[jesussaddle]

I would like to know how these units rank as far as high frequency reproduction accuracy.

[brandondrury]

As for "high frequency reproduction accuracy" is concerned, I'd say that budget gear totally nailed this well over a decade ago. The really end gear usually sounds just a hair sweeter as I illustrate repeatedly in Killer Home Recording, but it's not what you'd expect for the $$.

Brandon