Opinions on a replacement for ISA828?

[cliftonmiles]

In my decision to drop Pro Tools LE 8 for Cubase 5, I decided to part ways with my Digidesign 003, and replace it with a ProFire 2626.

With such a dramatic change, I have also been toying with the idea of letting go of my Focusrite ISA 828, to pay off about $2,000 in debt, and using the difference I make to replace it.

I should be able to get at LEAST $3,000 for it b/c I have the A/D card installed which would leave me with about $1,000 left over give or take (hopefully).

This has left me to consider a worthy replacement that has 8 pres and ADAT compatible.

A close friend whos been extremely reliable in recommending gear in the past recommended the M-Audio Octane, which looks pretty nice.
Another person suggested just buying an ISA 428, and using the rest of the pres in the 2626.
Which is also a good idea...

Im curious to hear what others have to suggest? A lot of people on here are using tons of different things so I'd like to hear some suggestions from you guys that are getting great results from units that are in this price range.

Thanks in advance for your help.

PS:
In case it matters here is what I currently have:

DIGI 003 RACK
FOCUSRITE ISA 828
PRESONUS DIGIMAX LT
VINTECH AUDIO NEVE 1272 CLONE (2 CHANNEL PRE)

 

[superfreak]

If you go for the M-Audio Octane you'll be getting more of the same because the ProFire has 8 Octane preamps. Looking at your list, don't you already own an 8 channel preamp (PRESONUS DIGIMAX LT)?

 

[greyskull]

nothing that can have adat fitted to it comes close to the quality of the 828/428

 

[crillemannen]

So you are saying that you are gonna ditch the 828 for some m-powered shity preamps?? C'mon dude. The 828 preamps are great. I wouldn't sell that at all. I would perhaps compliment it with a API 3124+ later on but never sell it.

If i where you i would keep on record in PT and perhaps mix in cubase if you want to switch daw. From what you explained you are want to change something that isn't broke.

But.. If you need to pay of that debt of yours and you dont have any choice then its to bad, but 828 is a great unit despite that it don't have such a good reputation.

 

[cliftonmiles]

nothing that can have adat fitted to it comes close to the quality of the 828/428

The ISA 828 is ADAT compatible, I have the A/D card.

I may hang onto it...I don't know. I go through phases where I get bored and need extra cash so I start selling stuff on eBay and looking at this saying "WOW, i spent a lot of money on that" haha...
But it is great. It is money well spent, but my original question still pertains...

Every now and then you'll find a product that is MUCH greater than its price bracket. Taking the ISA 828 out of the picture, Is there currently a set of preamps on the market, (this is an opinion question so multiple answers are acceptible) that defy its price range? Somthing that should be priced in the $2,000-$4,000 price range, but is selling for under $1,000?

Crazy thought, but I have to ask haha.

Someone else opened up a different can of worms...
Is anyone in here operating CUBASE 5 with a Digi 003?

 

[crillemannen]

Well if you cant get great results with your ISA then its your short comings as an engineer that makes the ISA insufficient.

If you are gonna go for a PRE with more color, then API, Neve is the way to go. Both those brands have great used value so they never go cheap. So my suggestion is that you stick with what you have, and invest your money in more equipment etc.

Just my 0.02

 

[cliftonmiles]

Well if you cant get great results with your ISA then its your short comings as an engineer that makes the ISA insufficient.

If you are gonna go for a PRE with more color, then API, Neve is the way to go. Both those brands have great used value so they never go cheap. So my suggestion is that you stick with what you have, and invest your money in more equipment etc.

Just my 0.02

Whoa! Never said I wasn't getting amazing results from it... I said I'm contemplating selling it to pay off debt and had a smaller budget to replace it with something that can come close.

 

[Trevoire520]

An octane or Profire is going to be a pretty major step down from the ISA's.

If you'd rather have some cash for something else you could sell the ISA and get a Mackie Onyx 800R. It would still be a step down though.

I wouldn't just go selling stuff because you're bored though man. The economy is shit at the moment and it is not a sellers market. You won't get anywhere near what you'd expect for your gear.

 

[mickrich]

I have an 828 with adat card and although it's not in quite the same league as my API and DRS pres, it is still very very good.
If you need to step down to free up some money an Audient 8 channel is supposed to be very good for the price and you can get an adat board for it.
You will certainly miss the 828 though. I love the variable impedance. Does wonders if somebody shows up with over bright cymbals or to get more bottom end punch from toms.