Echo AudioFire 12 OR RME Fireface 400

[Somnium7]

I want good sound most of all. Stable performance is a must. What I do not need is Mic Pres. Which of these two boxes sounds better?

I have read good things about the sound on both units. I am wondering if they are on the same level soundwise and the difference in price is only buying me extra mic pres in the RMEs case.

I have read that both boxes are rock solid performers. can anybody verify that?

Thanks!

 

[Hard2Hear]

The Echo doesn't really hold a candle to the RME. Convertors, clock, firewire chipset, stability, driver performance, are all going to be better on the RME.

Keep in mind that every part on the RME gear is designed and built and QC'd in Germany, and not in China like almost everything else out there. So they have a very tight grip on what goes into their products and what goes out of their factory.

 

[Mr. Antrobus]

On the other hand...

You are paying a premium for German goods now that the dollar is at its lowest ebb in 35 years. I bought a hammerfall 9632 pci card, a couple of expansion boards and a pair of schoeps direct from germany about 7 years ago when the dollar was at its high point. Bargain city.

But now...

You can get an audiofire for under $600. Its built around the same converter chips used in the apogee ensemble and saffire 26 io range. I just bought an audiofire12 and it's working nicely on my mac.

I might have gone the RME route, but I read a lot of reviews that said the echo equaled or sounded better than the rme product and the price was right.

Your mileage may vary. It's also best to audition both units before pulling the trigger.

 

[Hard2Hear]

lol, Ive never heard anyone in a studio talk about how good their exchange rate sounds. Ive also never seen an Echo used in a pro commercial studio.

 

[Mr. Antrobus]

Yes, this is a hobby for me. Cost is definitely a factor. Looking at what the audiofire offers it's a no brainer. I don't need the rme label to impress clients. That said, I think paying clients would be more impressed if they saw lavry, mytek, prism, apogee or even lynx in the studio rather than RME.

 

[Somnium7]

This is all pretty helpful info. I wish I could go and do an A/B someplace but all the stores in my area carry other brands than the two I'm interested in. Obviously anything not built in China is quite appealing to me after buying other equipment made there and being disappointed by it.

Mr. Antrobus do you find anything wrong with the build quality of the Echo unit?
Is it made in China?

It's of interest to me how the specs compare. On the Echo we have this:
# 12 balanced ¼" analog inputs:

* 113dB (A-weighted) dynamic range
* +4dBu / -10dBV nominal levels

# 12 balanced ¼" analog outputs:

* 114dB (A-weighted) dynamic range
* +4dBu / -10dBV nominal levels

And the RME:
Dynamic range DA: 110 dB RMS unweighted, 113 dBA (unmuted)
Dynamic range AD: 110 dB RMS unweighted, 113 dBA

Curious why doesn't RME use the internationally accepted standard of A-weighting like Echo? Or is Echo trying to cover something up by not including an unweighted spec?
Yet another reason specs are mostly useless in buy comparisons....

What is and isn't used by studios is just as misleading as reading the specs. As Mr. Antrobus points out there is always the possibility of client impressing when gear choices are made in studios. To me that's a broken compass.

Does anybody here have recordings available made with either of these boxes?

 

[Mr. Antrobus]

This is all pretty helpful info. I wish I could go and do an A/B someplace but all the stores in my area carry other brands than the two I'm interested in. Obviously anything not built in China is quite appealing to me after buying other equipment made there and being disappointed by it.

Mr. Antrobus do you find anything wrong with the build quality of the Echo unit?
Is it made in China?

Now that you mention it, I have no idea where it is made. I just assumed china is where everything is manufactured these days. But the manual doesn't mention it, the box doesn't state where its made, the back panel doesn't say where it's made either. I'm stumped.

The build quality seems nice enough. when I unboxed it about the only thing that struck me is that I didn't see the ubiquitous anti-scratch film on the meter panel. But I didn't notice any scratches on the meter panel either.

Anyway, it was strong enough to withstand ups.

Here's a soundonsound review of the audiofire.

 

[Mr. Antrobus]

Does anybody here have recordings available made with either of these boxes?

I haven't made a lot of recordings yet with mine since I got it last Thursday. Though I have tried a v67g through a buzz ma-2.2 into it. You'd have to suffer my vocal stylings however.

I think there's a fellow named Chessrock around here that has an audiofire 12. I think he did a comparison between an art i/o, audiofire 12, and rosetta 800 with samples run through each x4.

 

[Somnium7]

I haven't made a lot of recordings yet with mine since I got it last Thursday. Though I have tried a v67g through a buzz ma-2.2 into it. You'd have to suffer my vocal stylings however.

I think there's a fellow named Chessrock around here that has an audiofire 12. I think he did a comparison between an art i/o, audiofire 12, and rosetta 800 with samples run through each x4.

This is great! I'll check these out as soon as I get home from work. Thanks also for the link to the SOS review.
I have emailed the manufacturer about the AudioFire to see if they know where it's made. I also asked them about the possibility of Linux drivers. So far no reply and I'm not going to hold my breath either.

I was thinking that maybe I should be looking for an interface that has Linux drivers since I'll be switching over pretty soon. I'll make that my main criteria now.

 

[kojdogg]

i emailed echo a few days ago about a different issue (needing a replacement ac adapter for one of my audiofires (i have a 12 and just got a used 4) and they told me that they would be closed for a few days while the floors in their offices are being redone, so you might need to give them a little bit before they get back to you.
incidentally, they're sending me the adapter for free!

 

[warble2]

The Echo doesn't really hold a candle to the RME. Convertors, clock, firewire chipset, stability, driver performance, are all going to be better on the RME.

Have you used an AudioFire? Otherwise you're just speculating what the AudioFire is capable of. They are nice units and Echo Audio has a great reputation to boot. I've never had issues with stability with ANY Echo product I've owned, and the sound has been getting better with each generation of new audio interfaces they develop. I've used/owned a MIA, Gina 24/96, Layla 24/96, a Layla 3G, and an AudioFire interface. The Cirrus Logic converters in the new stuff are pretty darn good and what I've done here holds up pretty well to what a friend does in his studio with a RME Hammerfall HDSP 9652.

IMO, Echo products are underrated. I will say though that I was really impressed when I heard tracks in my friends studio with the Hammerfall. I wouldn't hesitate to look further into RME, but for my needs and the money I had to put into it, Echo products fit the bill and do not disappoint. Can't say that I've read posts by people stating their Echo's were letting them down.

 

[Somnium7]

Looks as though I may yet go for the Audiofire ...check this out:

http://www.ffado.org/?q=devicesupport/list

Linux drivers for it might come to fruition in the near future!

 

[Mr. Antrobus]

What linux application would you use? Energy XT2?

 

[fraserhutch]

Have you used an AudioFire? Otherwise you're just speculating what the AudioFire is capable of.

Not having used an Audiofire, but having used a hell of a lot of audio interfaces, I can say that without a doubt the RME I am now using is the stablest interface.

I have used interface from the following manufacturers:

MOTU
Tascam
Echo
EGO SYS
RME
EMU
Maudio
Turtle Beach

The RME is the best of them all (imho), in terms of drivers and sound.Turtle Beach drivers were excellent, anf the Ego Sys was an excellent unit as well.

Again, I have not tried the Audiofile, but I was less than overwhelmed with the Maudio interface I tried.

Just my experience and opinion.

 

[Hard2Hear]

Have you used an AudioFire? Otherwise you're just speculating what the AudioFire is capable of.

I have installed and audio tested about 5 Audiofires and about 60 Fireface 800's. Knowing, installing, and testing audio interfaces is my day job.

 

[bigwillz24]

Hell I got a Audiofire 12 Here and I LOVE the sound of this thing.

 

[warble2]

Again, I have not tried the Audiofile, but I was less than overwhelmed with the Maudio interface I tried.

Just my experience and opinion.

How did the AudioFire and M-audio get lumped together here? \

Just out of curiosity, what Echo interfaces have you used? Everything I've used from them has been absolutely stable.

 

[warble2]

I have installed and audio tested about 5 Audiofires and about 60 Fireface 800's. Knowing, installing, and testing audio interfaces is my day job.

Well then, I guess you have proof. I'm glad you're not spouting off with hypotheticals (if that is in fact even a word).

Thanks for the input!

 

[Hard2Hear]

No problem, I tend not to put my input in unless I have first hand experience.

BTW, you had compared the sound of your Echo to your friends 96/52, but there's no conversion in a 96/52, its all digital. What was his front end for conversion? That would make your comparison more valid.

Its not that I think Echo is bad, I just dont think its as good as RME.

 

[fraserhutch]

How did the AudioFire and M-audio get lumped together here? \

Just out of curiosity, what Echo interfaces have you used? Everything I've used from them has been absolutely stable.

Sorry, typo. I meant to say Echo interfaces. And I didn't say they weren't stable, I said I was underwhelmed, but I will add that I don't feel that they are nearly as solid as the RME drivers which are rock-solid.

I have used several versions of the Ginas and Laylas. I'll take an RME over them easily.

My opinion.