which <$400 fw interfaces have the best OSX drivers??

[boze]

i just sold my M-Audio Firewire410 because I was unsatisfied with the drivers for OSX.

I'm curious about the Saffire (which it seems nobody has reviews of yet), or the Presonus Firebox, or the Edirol FA-66 or something in that vein and I'd like to know it's solid in OSX before I decide which to buy.

I'd like to know which has the best mic pres as well - again curious about the Saffire just because it's boasting the Focusrite name even though I know it's way cheaper than all they're pro gear.

thanks!!

 

[dwillis45]

You might try posting at OSX Audio:

http://www.bigbluelounge.com/forums/index.php

There are a lot more Mac users over there and you're more likely to get answers.

I'm a little curious about your problems with M-audio drivers. I've never had any issues with M-Audio hardware on my Mac. Are you using an older Mac or an older version of OSX? Were you using new drivers?

On preamps, as you suggest, I wouldn't be overly impressed by the Focusrite name at that level. I also wouldn't expect anything earth shattering out of the stock preamps (and converters for that matter) in most low priced interfaces. My sense is that you will almost always do better with a stand-alone preamp as long as it's decent--something like the RNP, for example. These all-in-one interfaces are great at providing a simple box but they can only provide so much quality at that price point.