Firewire Interface Suggestions

[Whateva]

I'm trying to get my PC set up to record for the first time and I'm trying to decide what to use for an A/D. I'm looking for something reasonably priced with at least 2 balanced I/Os, at least 2 unbalanced I/Os, a MIDI I/O, firewire, and hopefully 24-bit/96khz+. I'm not too familiar with the quality of the different companies out there. I know I've heard a lot of good things about MOTU but they seem too high end/pricey for me. I've checked out reviews on a few other pieces but it always seems like 50% of the reviews are about how this or that interface destroyed their computer (although I assume that's often because people don't know what they're doing as well). I'm thinking the M-Audio 410 seems pretty decent but I've seen the same sort of negative reviews with that one. Anyone have some suggestions on good interfaces or even just which companies they think make trustworthy gear?

 

[dgatwood]

I'm trying to get my PC set up to record for the first time and I'm trying to decide what to use for an A/D. I'm looking for something reasonably priced with at least 2 balanced I/Os, at least 2 unbalanced I/Os, a MIDI I/O, firewire, and hopefully 24-bit/96khz+. I'm not too familiar with the quality of the different companies out there. I know I've heard a lot of good things about MOTU but they seem too high end/pricey for me. I've checked out reviews on a few other pieces but it always seems like 50% of the reviews are about how this or that interface destroyed their computer (although I assume that's often because people don't know what they're doing as well). I'm thinking the M-Audio 410 seems pretty decent but I've seen the same sort of negative reviews with that one. Anyone have some suggestions on good interfaces or even just which companies they think make trustworthy gear?

If their computer was destroyed, there was something wrong with the gear. I've heard people say things about that, too, and FireWire was designed for hot plugging. If the bus is in compliance with the spec, there's not much that can go wrong. It it isn't, you paid too much for the machine.