MOTU 896 MK3 has anyone used as stand alone preamp?

[outsider]

I have an alesis hd 24 and a daw system (mac, protools logic etc) , i need a an audio card to use in both situations, is this a achievable task for you ? i have read something about the MOTU 896 MK3 but was really wondering about how reliable is and easy to wortk with as live preamp, it seems you have to program it with computer to use as stand alone preamp while I xpect to plug you mics and your digital lightpipe in hd24 and go.
anyone of you has used it in this way?

 

[bongoboy]

I have an 896. It is very reliable. It is not a stand alone pre amp. It will work as a live mixer. You can connect it to whatever has ADAT, AES, SPDIF or analog inputs. You will need a computer.