MADIface XT - first USB3 audio interface?

[drew_drummer]

So RME announced the MADIface XT, the first USB3 audio interface from what I can tell. Specs look pretty good, and my i7 rig has USB3. My Profire 2626 is getting a bit long in the tooth now.

What would it take to switch over to a MADIface XT? It is unclear to me whether MADI is compatible with ADAT lightpipe, which the Profire has, and would allow me to use its microphone preamps without using the M-Audio driver. It's also unclear to me what you'd add to the MADIface XT to give yourself 8-16 preamps, and how cost effective it would be.

Any thoughts on this?

 

[MIAnn]

s'a wind up surely....???

 

[egan.]

MADI is an entirely different format than ADAT so you'd need a converter with a MADI out.

 

[drew_drummer]

Never used MADI, so I wasn't really sure. Thanks for the heads up!