Interface Decisions (Yes I know you're tired of this question)

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Turtis21

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So, I'm looking at buying a better interface for a small home studio.

I curently have an M-Audio Fastrack

I record to Logic Express on a MacBook Pro

I record vocals and acoustic guitars and also DI Electric Guitars and Bass
It's Possible that simple drum recordings with 4 mics could be in my future, but I don't have the required mics at the moment

I want to spend in the nieghborhood of $300, $200 if possible.

The Interfaces I'm looking at:

Focusrite 8i6
Has all the I/O I want, I've heard the amazing AD conversion and Pre-amps on the Sapphire series, but these are 50 bucks cheaper, and if the only difference is the USBvsFW then I would call this the clear choice

PreSonus FireStudio Mobile
Again, has the required i/O (and then some), however, not really a fan of the way they handled the MIDI and SPDIF in the compact box, my studio isn't portable so compactness doesn't matter much. The only way this would get the nod over the Focusrite is if one had extremely supierior working history with my DAW.

Lexicon Omega
Love the price but I feel like I would be giving up ALOT in the way of preamps and converters.

Tascam US-600
Like this guy for the added preamps, but again, feel like I would be giving up a large margin in terms of quality components.

M-Audio Fast Track Pro
I know this is kinda cheater shortcut, and I KNOW these preamps and converters are shoddy, but this a temporary upgrade, really just a box that will later be routed by better Preamps and a pro level AD/DA and just used for it's USB cable. I aleady am QUITE familiar with M-Audio customer sevice, not saying this overrieds quality just stating facts and options.

Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6
I/O isn't ideal, but I've heard good things about the conversion and the software package is very tempting.


Also, what difference in sound quality am I going to hear (I monitor with KRK RP5's) if I spring for a spendy interface, say a MOTU Ultralight or Apogee Duet?
 
Thats a good deal, but it seems like a little overkill for what I am looking to do, are the preamps and converters consistent across Tascam's US lineup?
 
I'm not sure overkill is even possible. The unit is good and solid, 10 quite clean preamps, two instrument inputs, 4 line in, etc...

Why limit yourself for the future. As far as I know the preamps may be the same. The US800 preamps I compared with my 1641, sounded identical.
 
I can vouch for the Focusrite preamps, just bought a 2i2 and very happy with it. Drivers work fine. Very low latency on my 2.5 dual core W7 Samsung laptop.
 
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