Swapping my 002r + Focusrite Octopre mk1 with ... what?

[Pasz]

Now that it kinda doesn't matter what interface you're using, I'm looking at replacing my 002 rack and Focusrite Octopre (mk 1) with ADAT card. They sound pretty good but I know there's newer, better sounding alternatives out there.

My budget is 1500 Euro (or around 2000 USD), max.

I'd still like to have 10 - 12 mic pres in total, so I though maybe this was a good combo:

- RME Fireface 400 (2 mic pres)
- OctoPre MkII (8 pres, no compressors, don't need them)

RME's convertors are very high quality, and presumably a lot better than what my Digi002r has on board. The question is: how is the mic pre itself?

Another question: How are the pres and convertors on the OctoPre?

The major question is: Will the setup I described be a step up for me, recording/playing back quality wise?

Maybe you have a better suggestion? Remember, my budget is a maximum of 1500 Euro's or 2000 USD.

[albee1952]

I'd be tempted to go with a pair of M-Audio ProFire2626 units. Or a used 003R and either a 2626 or a Presonus D8 in the lightpipe. My reasoning is that Avid hardware still seems to hold an edge in functionality, specifically dealing with latency and buffer for recording.

[tribedescribe]

I own currently m-audio profire 2626, and apogee ensemble. I also have owned the Rme adi-2, m-audio 1814, and a Black lion audio modded m-audio projectmix. The Rme 400 is excellent and on par with the apogee ensemble. Although the ensemble gives you 4 pre's compared to 2 on the rme 400. The profire 2626 sounds great, but is a definite step down from the Rme and apogee. Give the Ensemble a serious look the pre's are excellent, you might find one used for $1500 and get the focusrite for $500, that's what I would do.

Out of products I have heard and used I would rate them as follow's(I am sure others will disagree.)

Metric Halo uln-8
prism orpheus
Black lion audio Sig. mod
Rme UFx
Apogee ensemble
Rme 400
Black lion audio tweak head mod
Rme 800
Stienberg mr800
M-audio 2626
Digidesign 003
Digidesign 002
M-audio project mix
M-audio 1814

[NewdestinyX]

An OctoPre is ONLY a pre. No converters to digital. Not an interface.

[The Dougfather]

Pasz,

I had up until a few months back the Octopre Le, and i'm not sure if there is mass of difference between the two units but i found those platinum pre's terrible. Very thin and leaning very much towards the high end.

I still have the 002R with a presonus digimax FS and it's a much better unit. Better sounding, better clocking, better build quality. I have no experience with the M-Audio kit but at this price point i would recommend presonus, as do many others. I might even go as far to say that if all you need is better pre's then why not keep the 002R, shell for a really lush twin preamp which you can use via SPDIF and get a better 8 channel. You could even use the ADAT or SPDIF units to give you a better DAC stage over the stock 002R, provided they have analogue outputs.

Just my two cents.