thinking to move from 002 Rack to 003 Factory

[akhafaji]

Hi,
its maybe for some people here stupid question but I still need your opinion...
I am thinking to move from 002 Rack to 003 Factory
the questions :
1- Is 003 are far better than 002?
2- Is it worthy to upgrade from 002R to 003 Factory?
3- Is keeping my 002Rack and get Preamps is better choice?
4- is there any news about having 004 or something new from Digi?

Thanks

[chrisdee]

Originally Posted by akhafaji

Hi,
its maybe for some people here stupid question but I still need your opinion...
I am thinking to move from 002 Rack to 003 Factory
the questions :
1- Is 003 are far better than 002?
2- Is it worthy to upgrade from 002R to 003 Factory?
3- Is keeping my 002Rack and get Preamps is better choice?
4- is there any news about having 004 or something new from Digi?

Thanks

1) Don't know if it's true buy I'v read that the converters in the 002 are made of low-grade ceramic capasitors and therefor noisy. The converters in the 003 are supposed to be mutch better.
2) Well if what I hear about the converters is correct I would think its worth upgrading to the 003
3) If the converters in the 002 is as bad as I read I think it would not help with a preamp.
4) No news

If they do make a 004, I hope they will use high end components all the way, and not save on anything.

[albee1952]

1- Is 003 are far better than 002?
Yes, but the Black Lion mod to the 002 makes it better than the 003
2- Is it worthy to upgrade from 002R to 003 Factory?
If you mean the 003 rack, I don't think its worth the money. I also am not knocked out by the Factory plugins and would spend that extra money on some McDSP or Waves plugins, or IK Classik Verbs. The 003 controller has a lot of functionality on it(your choice if that matters).
3- Is keeping my 002Rack and get Preamps is better choice?
Better preamps are a wise choice with either 002 or 003. Look at Vintech, Grace, Great River or API, etc
4- is there any news about having 004 or something new from Digi?
No news yet and we likely won't hear any until a major NAMM or AES announcement(common for all the audio gear manufacturers). I don't expect a new piece for a couple more years(but that's just my guess).

[akhafaji]

Originally Posted by albee1952

1- Is 003 are far better than 002?
Yes, but the Black Lion mod to the 002 makes it better than the 003
2- Is it worthy to upgrade from 002R to 003 Factory?
If you mean the 003 rack, I don't think its worth the money. I also am not knocked out by the Factory plugins and would spend that extra money on some McDSP or Waves plugins, or IK Classik Verbs. The 003 controller has a lot of functionality on it(your choice if that matters).
3- Is keeping my 002Rack and get Preamps is better choice?
Better preamps are a wise choice with either 002 or 003. Look at Vintech, Grace, Great River or API, etc
4- is there any news about having 004 or something new from Digi?
No news yet and we likely won't hear any until a major NAMM or AES announcement(common for all the audio gear manufacturers). I don't expect a new piece for a couple more years(but that's just my guess).

Thank you albee1952.....
for me the BLA (Black Lion mod) will cost a lot (Black Lion mod + shipping)
I saw here in DUC some users have both 002 & RME FF800 and they sync it togather ... (using FF800 as interface for the 002) , what do you think?

Thanks

[gvees]

If you get the BLA mod you wouldn't need (desparately) expensive preamps since the ones in the 002R are awesome (after the mod/upgrade)..

[albee1952]

As gvees said, the mod is money well spent IF the stock preamps are as many as you need(the mod is near the same price as a nice preamp or two). I hear great stuff about the RME gear and anything that comes in on lightpipe may be good for 8 more channels.