Need opinions for new interface...(mackie 1200F quit working)

[turbidnorth]

The other day the Firewire on my Mackie Onyx 1200f quit working, everything else works fine on it, but i cant get it to work with a computer. Mackie cant fix it and ive read that the cost alone to repair it is worth getting a whole new interface.

So now i basically have an 8 channel onyx preamp which i can still use with another interface via ADAT. Any suggestions on what kind of interface to buy? Stick with Firewire or go with something else? I have around a $650 budget for this. I almost bought the new Mackie Blackbird (they have a $100 rebate going on until september) but i'm not sure i wanna stick with Mackie anymore...

 

[drew_drummer]

M-Audio Profire 2626.

 

[Folkrav]

Considering your budget, you have the choice of a purely ADAT interface (Presonus Firestudio Lightpipe or M-Audio Profire Lightbridge, altought I heard some bad things on both...) or simply go for a "full fledged" interface like M-Audio Profire 2626, who will give you 8 more preamps (pretty much decent)...

 

[acappa]

Focusrite Saffire 56...worths the money

 

[Enghell]

RME Babyface and use its ADAT interface with your Mackie.

 

[Scott Horner]

As usual, I'm going to chime in and suggest a Saffire Pro 40. I'm absolutely in love with mine.

 

[turbidnorth]

thinking about going with the Steinberg MR816 CSX, i keep reading about how good the mic pres sound. anyone have this?

 

[006]

M-Audio Profire 2626.

This, hands down.

 

[MatrixClaw]

As usual, I'm going to chime in and suggest a Saffire Pro 40. I'm absolutely in love with mine.

+1, I own one as well and prefer it over the 2626, though you can't use as many ADAT inputs if you're running at 88.2/96kHz. But, you can get them for like $350 on eBay B-Stock with a full warranty, as apposed to $700 for the Profire.

With the money you saved, you could buy some mics, treatment for your room, upgrade monitors, whatever.