RME Multiface II vs Standalone A/D and Lynx AES16

[m.erc]

So here's my dilemma. I'm currently using an Aardvark Q10 as my DAW interface. Recently channel 1 stopped working on it, so i've been looking around for something to replace it. I'm looking to get something easily expandable (i'll want 16 inputs eventually) and with good A/D D/A converters. The problem with the Aardvark is it's no longer supported, plus i've heard hooking two up in WinXP just isn't going to happen. My ultimate goal is to eventually get 16 in 8 out via my computer DAW (Nuendo).

Here's what i've been debating:

RME Multiface II w/ PCI interface x 2 (Assuming you can hook two together..)

or

Lynx AES16 + standalone A/D/A converter (Apogee AD8000, RME ADI-DS, Lucid 8824, etc....)

Obviously the second route is going to be more expensive, but i'm wondering if it will be worth it in the end? How are the A/D/A converters on the Multiface II? Ho do they compare to the standalone units listed? I know this is subjective, but some opinions would greatly help me at this point. Keep in mind I already have pre-amps and mics covered, so good A/D/A is what i'm looking to upgrade at this point. Will the second option be worth it? If you'd like to see a list of my current gear look here: http://www.mindcyclestudios.com/equipment.html

Thanks!

 

[m.erc]

another thought...

Just another thought... RME Multiface II w/ an external word clock suck as the Lucid GENX6 or AARDSYNC II. Would this make a difference?

 

[gcapel]

I have a multiface II. You can have up to three of them taking up 3 pci slots.

But also remember it also has 8 adat I/O channels additional with just one multiface. So you could get a Alesis analog to adat converter for 8 more channels of I/O. So you can have 16 Inputs/ Outputs with one multiface.

 

[m.erc]

I have a multiface II. You can have up to three of them taking up 3 pci slots.

But also remember it also has 8 adat I/O channels additional with just one multiface. So you could get a Alesis analog to adat converter for 8 more channels of I/O. So you can have 16 Inputs/ Outputs with one multiface.

You're right. I didn't even think about getting and analog to adat converter. Thanks for you're input.

 

[m.erc]

I just wanted to update this thread with what I ended up doing for anyone who may pull this thread up in the future.

I bought the RME Multiface w/ PCI card. I also bought an RME ADI-8 Pro to add 8 more chans of A/D/A via ADAT lightpipe to my setup. This will give me 16 ins and outs. I'll be picking up a standalone word clock, probably a lucid, to keep them in sync properly, plus to use with any other digital gear I get in the future. Some time down the road I may add a "higher end" A/D 2 channel converter to my setup and throw it in via the S/PDIF inputs (Apogee, Lucid, Mytek, etc...).

Pretty excited about this. Hopefully it will be an improvement over my Aardvark. If nothing else i'll at least have gear that's still supported. I've heard nothing but good things about RME while I researched all this.