Digi 002 vs. MOTU Traveler?

[Steve Henningsgard]

My main interface is currently a Digi 002, but as I use Reaper 99% of the time, and as I'll be upgrading to PT9 soon for any PT projects I need to do, I figure now is a good time to get rid of the 002 and get something with a little more solid Mac/CoreAudio support.

While I'd prefer to get some quality kit (Apogee comes to mind), I simply don't have the cash for it at the moment, and so I'm looking more at a side-grade vs. an upgrade, as far as pre's/converters go, but an upgrade as far as compatibility and stability. Would the MOTU Traveler give me a noticeable loss/gain of quality over the 002, as far as the preamps and converters go? I've heard mixed reviews about both the 002 and MOTU's gear, but considering most of what I do is loud low-budget metal demos & live recordings, features and stability are just as important as sound quality for me, if not more important (to a certain extent, obviously).

Thoughts?

 

[Supercreep]

My main interface is currently a Digi 002, but as I use Reaper 99% of the time, and as I'll be upgrading to PT9 soon for any PT projects I need to do, I figure now is a good time to get rid of the 002 and get something with a little more solid Mac/CoreAudio support.

While I'd prefer to get some quality kit (Apogee comes to mind), I simply don't have the cash for it at the moment, and so I'm looking more at a side-grade vs. an upgrade, as far as pre's/converters go, but an upgrade as far as compatibility and stability. Would the MOTU Traveler give me a noticeable loss/gain of quality over the 002, as far as the preamps and converters go? I've heard mixed reviews about both the 002 and MOTU's gear, but considering most of what I do is loud low-budget metal demos & live recordings, features and stability are just as important as sound quality for me, if not more important (to a certain extent, obviously).

Thoughts?

I don't think the traveller is going to be much of an upgrade, I'm afraid - Black Lion Audio may be able to upgrade the analog stages for you, but that is extra $$ you may not have.

Just a thought: RME just released their newest flagship interface, the fireface UFX. You should be able to snap up a Fireface 800 for (relatively) cheap. I have heard nothing but good things about the stability and driver quality of RME products.