96 i/o upgrade

[Def]

I've decided to invest in an HD system ... and due to its costly bits and pieces, I was looking for a shortcut to more i/o

I mostly work with hip hop and electronic artists so I don't believe I will ever need the extra "clarity" of working in 192khz..
so, a 96i/o would suit my needs just fine ... BUT, I can't find info on the analog/digital input expander for the 192 working with the 96i/o

I'd like 16 inputs
do I have to pony up for the 192 interface?
or will the 192 A/D card work with the 96?

[Jeff E]

The 96 i/o has 16 inputs..
8 analog and 8 digital (ADAT)

what do you want your setup to be?

[Def]

I was hoping I could avoid another A/D converter to get into lightpipe or whatever
A friend owns a studio and says there are issues with sound quality and timing (very slight but present)

I'd like all the A/D conversion to happen inside one box

[Jeff E]

Then you will have to get the 192 with an A/D card. .If you get the 96i with 16 ins you will have to be sure the converters are ok for you. I use a DA7 console with my 192 and use both analog and digital and cant hear any timing issues.
The 96 units do not accept any additional cards but you will have to decide if its worth the extra $1k with the extra card.

[BradLyons]

Although the chassis is the same among all the units, the I/O configuration and cards are fixed. In other words, only the 192I/O has the ability to add up to (1) expansion card. You can not remove a card and replace it with something else such as pulling out the analog output card and replacing with a digital card. In terms of the 96I/O and 96i, no expansion cards can be replaced or added. As Jeff mentioned, the 96i might be worth a serious look if you only need (2) outputs but would like 16-inputs in a single box--at least with the Digidesign interfaces. There are a few options that would fit this as well, but they are non-Digidesign devices so therefore should you go that direction it will be unsupported by Digidesign. By un-supported that doesn't mean that it won't work, it just won't be covered by technical support should you ever call them.