computer upgrading...

[kkfaudio]

Time to replace the 5,1 Mac Pro (still on High Sierra) with a Mac Studio.

Currently using Avid Omni via HDNative PCIE and Aja Kona LHI PCIe Video card.

Is there a PCIE expansion box that can handle both?

Or should I switch to a used Avid HD Native Thunderbolt and some kind of Thunderbolt video card (must have REF input for sync)?

Or put the HD Native card in a PCIE expansion box and replace the video card?

The Kona works great, but is getting old. Seems to be in the "still works but unsupported" world of newer macOS.

Are there still issues with having PCIE/NVME storage in the same expansion box?

Kinda leaning to getting HD Native Thunderbolt + Thunderbolt Video, as that will leave the 5,1 system intact to use in a secondary room or emergency replacement if needed.

Cost is a consideration, but will do what's needed..

Thanks!

[sw rec]

I have 2 nvm-e “drives” and an Apollo OCTO in a Sonnet Echo III on my Mac Studio. Works flawlessly.

[kkfaudio]

just checking for 100% understanding: you also have HD Native card in the Sonnet Echo III?

[sw rec]

Nope, it’s a 3 slot chassis, and there’s 2 nvme’s on pci-e cards and a UA Octo. Just verifying that the Sonnet chassis is reliable.

[massivekerry]

I had the same thing (minus the vid card) that I replaced Dec 2022.

I believe the issue that used to exist with HD Native and PCI-e chasis and Apple Silicon machines is fixed, but considering that HD Native is a dead and unsupported product now, I just opted to replace all of it with a Carbon. No need for a chasis and future compatibility issues. (I did buy a Sonnet AVB adapter, so I'd have an extra ethernet port for data). Thunderbolt (or USB-C) cable to HDMI (and/or DisplayPort) gives me my second (here's the video!) display without issue.

I know it's a mindf*** to think about replacing an interface, but it might merit a thought. The Carbon latency on recording is even better than the HD Native, which surprised me.

My old system is connected in the basement, in case I need to use it. That comes up occasionally with sessions that have Kontakt 5 instruments.

[Frank Kruse]

Originally Posted by kkfaudio

Time to replace the 5,1 Mac Pro (still on High Sierra) with a Mac Studio.

Currently using Avid Omni via HDNative PCIE and Aja Kona LHI PCIe Video card.

Is there a PCIE expansion box that can handle both?

Or should I switch to a used Avid HD Native Thunderbolt and some kind of Thunderbolt video card (must have REF input for sync)?

Or put the HD Native card in a PCIE expansion box and replace the video card?

The Kona works great, but is getting old. Seems to be in the "still works but unsupported" world of newer macOS.

Are there still issues with having PCIE/NVME storage in the same expansion box?

Kinda leaning to getting HD Native Thunderbolt + Thunderbolt Video, as that will leave the 5,1 system intact to use in a secondary room or emergency replacement if needed.

Cost is a consideration, but will do what's needed..

Thanks!

Get an M2 MacPro, should be cheaper or on par with the chassis thing and no messing around with TB to chassis nonsense. The Kona is totally supported on M2. Just get cheap 10$$ nvme to pci-4.0 adapters for all those empty slots. No TB3 bottle necks.

[kkfaudio]

Thanks everyone…

Without going into all the details, I’m probably looking at a MTRX studio when it’s interface time, but that’s a bigger/later project whenever we decide to go Atmos.

I’ve considered the refurbished Mac Pro, and the simplicity is appealing but it’s still $2500(CDN) more than the studio + peripherals, and I really don’t need the Ultra processor for the work I’m doing.