new Firewire 192khz interface from Phonic

[VH100R]

PHONIC firefly 808 - Is this too good to be true?

has any of you guys tried it yet?

Its packed with features and the price is very good.

SPECS:

The Phonic FireFly 808 Rack-mountable FireWire unit is an easy-to-use, high-quality interface for songwriters to record guitars, keyboards, vocals and more to the computer. Featured are 8 analog (XLR and 1/4") inputs and 8 analog (1/4") outputs, as well as S/PDIF, AES/EBU, MIDI and ADAT inputs and outputs – all of which are streamed to and from the computer in real time through the 24-bit/192kHz FireWire connection. Compatible with the most popular of Digital Audio Workstation software, this powerful unit provides recording musicians and engineers alike with the kind of sophisticated yet easy-to-use recording device they require.

Features

* 24-bit/192kHz FireWire stream I/O
* Analog XLR and 1/4" inputs and outputs (8 x 8)
* Digital S/PDIF I/O
* Digital AES/EBU I/O
* Optical ADAT I/O (8 x 8)
* Zero-latency hardware direct monitoring
* Low-latency ASIO software direct monitoring
* 16-channel MIDI I/O (1 x 1)
* 3 selectable FireWire I/O Modes
* Individual Phantom Power on all mic inputs
* Two built-in FireWire ports
* Clock and Sync Indicators
* Power indicator
* Accurate LED level meters
* Compatible with Mac and Windows operating systems

I came across 2 different pictures for the front panel. One is the one displayed on phonic's site and the other is in several online shops (and this one looks completly different from the one in phonic's site)

Phonics site version:

Alternative version:???

 

[zmetallica]

hmmm how are the preamps on this interface?

 

[VH100R]

On the 808 I have no idea. But the firefly 302 has an improved version of the ones in the firebox (according to some info I found... google it)

I just think this is to good to be true...

all those features + that price? somethings got to be wrong...

 

[VH100R]

found it on phonics "talk/forum" section about the firefly 302:

"Hi Johnny, The software of the FireFly has been developed by BridgeCo in Germany. I've spoken with a guy who has been working at the product management department of BridgeCo for several years. He told me the DAC/ADC chip is an improved version of the chip which has been used in the PreSonus Firebox. The old chip is the DM1000E and the one used in the FireFly is the DM1100E. I have been using the FireFly for about 2 weeks now and I'm very statisfied with the sound quality (Full duplex 24 bit/96 kHz) and the features. Regarding my previous post, I have to say that the Cubase LE software package which ships with the FireFly covers all my mixer needs. It works fine with the FireFly. I use it with a Superlux ECM-999 condensator microphone for loudspeaker measurements.

Regards from Holland,

Menno Maassen"

 

[R-Stuur]

Couple nice pre's hooked up to this baby through a decent converter and you're in business. All I need to know is whether the software/drivers are solid.

Phonic also makes cheap speakers, right?

 

[VH100R]

The P8A active monitor got excellent reviews. 8" speaker, lots of watts, signal auto-power up... good price

I got a responce from sonic and it seems that the firefly 808 that is in current production is the first in the pictures... nice.

 

[carvedones]

Anyone used one of these yet. Im looking at some new interfaces and interested in this.

 

[Metaltastic]

So what is the price, VH100R? I didn't see it in your post...

 

[VH100R]

wow... didn't even remeber this thread.

here's some details with price

http://www.thomann.de/gb/phonic_firefly_808_02.htm

 

[MetalJonesy]

wow very well priced for summat with firewire and adat, looks like it could be an expansion to my motu 8 pre setup.

 

[Damian B]

This place has them for under $300 US

http://www.e-digital-electronics.com/product_info.php?products_id=68754

That's ridiculously cheap!

 

[colonel kurtz]

that is fucking ridiculous

it almost makes me want to ditch the FW card for my onyx 1640, and get 2 of those so that i can sum/mix in analog...less than $600 is more than reasonable

 

[Sloan]

<$300???
That's fucking sweet.

 

[Zool2107]

How is the ADAT i/o working on this interface? If something like the ADA8000 is connected to it, will I see the inputs on the ada8000 as separate channels in my daw, or the adat input it will be there only as a stereo(mono) input?
In other words, will I be able to record 16 separate tracks simultaneously with a firefly808 + ada8000 setup?

 

[Damian B]

If I'm not mistaken, you should have 16 individual inputs. That's the way something like an 002 works when you hook up ADAT...

 

[Zool2107]

If I'm not mistaken, you should have 16 individual inputs. That's the way something like an 002 works when you hook up ADAT...

Thanks for the info, I'm totally noob on the ADAT thing
In the manual on page 13 and 14 there is a table listing the channel assigment, and it says that there is 2 firewire channels assigned to ADAT in. Maybe I'm just mixing up the firewire channel and asio channel? So in the daw I will see additional 8 asio input channels when I connect something to the adat input?

 

[crillemannen]

Why would you record at 192khz??? Not even a professional studio would record at that rate. It just looks fancy

Cheers