Firepod vs. Digi 001

[rediflight]

I have just recently got a Presonus Firepod and I am pretty happy with it so far. I has 8 XLR / 1/4" inputs with phantom power and preamp's on every channel. I have been researching the Digi 001 and was just wondering on how it compares to the Firepod: likes, dislikes, advantages, disadvantages, is there any difference in sound quality between the two etc....

[tc4b]

How many channels of phantom power do you need? As a one-man-band, I have never needed more than the two channels of PP on the digi. Never used the firepod, but I have been using the 001 for, oh four years or so now. It's still money. The only thing I'm not nuts about are the preamps, but even those have been OK. Anyone know about the pre's on the firepod? How much are the 001's going for these days (I don't think they're being made anymore)? I thought a few times about an 002, but I just don't see the need, especially in a studio as small as mine. Someday I hope to get the digi control surface, but for that money I'd rather get a nicer guitar. Or two. I love my 001!

[tc4b]

Also, the 001 is pci-card, while the firepod is firewire. I see that as an advantage for the 001, it's easier for a computer to cope with that much information directly than through FW or USB.

[rediflight]

Yeah I agree with the 8 cahnnels of phantom power is overkill but whatever. I saw some 001's on ebay going for anywhere inbetween $200-$300 so diffinatly cheaper than a Firepod, but the 8 pre's is really nice touch. I'm not sure on how good the pre's are but I do know that there alot better than having none. I think my computer and Firepod run just fine through firwire no lags or nothing, but its also helps to have a fast processer and some extra RAM.

[tc4b]

for $200, I'd pick up the 001 in a heartbeat and save the extra $$ for a really class a pre, which isn't a feature of either unit.