PCI-E Audio Interface for Mac Pro? Is it better than USB or FW?

[mrfracas]

Having made a recent enquiry on Spelan's post, New Mac - but which one is best value for money?, I've started to think about the issues I'm going to run into when converting my desktop from PC to Mac.

At present, I am using an M-Audio Delta 1010 with my PC, which has an external unit connecting to a PCI card via a 25-pin serial cable. While I find this card very reliable, there is a problem I will face when I want to upgrade. M-Audio have made no attempt to futureproof the Delta 1010 by making a PCI-E package (or upgrade). This means that, if I do make the change to a Mac Pro, I will have no compatible slots. In that case, I could opt to use a PCI-Expansion card to make it compatible. But, I think I'd like to rule that option out, as I'm far more interested in interfaces with extended front and back panel connectivity.

The only issue I have with a lot of cards nowadays is they are veering towards being completely external; i.e. FW and USB, and no additional card within the tower.

I like the look of some of these new interfaces, but I'm a bit concerned about the potentially large margin of difference between PCI-E (standing at something like 8GBits/s max) and FW 400/USB 2.0 (approx 400MB/s), given that I haven't found any literature on PCI-E based audio interfaces, or even comparisons between PCI-E and FW/USB connectivity in audio interfaces. How many lanes of information can each bus type handle simultaneously before it begins to struggle, is just one bit of information I'd like to find out. What is more of a strain on the host CPU or PSU, is another.

I'm looking for an interface that has a DSP mix interface; is semi-pro; has a high number of ins and outs (with at least 4 mic ins and phantom power, and plenty of line/inst. ins); a handy front panel and hardware unit (rackable would be a good start); and a modular software interface. Low latency, good mic pre-amps, and great A/D, D/A converters are a must.

At the moment, this is speculative, so I'm open to opinions on any cards compatible with a current Mac Pro, that are below around the £1500/€1850 price. Experience with audio interfaces of FW 400 (or 800), USB 2.0 and/or PCI-E is welcome, but added comparisons and criticism would be better.

[mrfracas]

I guess no one's got any answers for me.

Ah well. Thanks for looking anyway.

[sureno]

dude im a little unclear what your asking mid way but check these boys out

Metric Halo

[mrfracas]

Originally Posted by sureno

dude im a little unclear what your asking mid way but check these boys out

Metric Halo

The question was in the title really... is PCI-E better than FW or USB when buying an audio interface?

Thanks for the link, though. I like the 2882 interface - had a read on it a while back.

[JAYDMF]

Im not a mac user but wherever i can ive had a PCI based interface and the results have always been a much more stable recording system. ATM i have a MOTU 24 i/o and i have to say its the best interface ive had, it just works, no nonsense gets on with the job and sounds clear

[Khazul]

+1 - I generally find reliability (assuming reliable drivers to start with) runs in the order PCI-E, PCI (unless you have another bus-hogging PCI/AGP card), FW, USB1.1 then USB2.

No that isnt a typo - while USB2 does have much higher bandwith then USB1.1,I have generally found USB1.1 audio devices far less prone to glitches than USB2.

I think it is related to audio on USB2 being best effort, whereas USB1.1 had a quality of service capability around audio. I guess someone figured it wasnt needed with the much higher bandwidth.

[bluebearddub]

what ever you decide, stay well away from maudio, their gear is puke, ive had nothing but trouble since i bought my fastrack ultra last month.
buy the best gear you can afford, steinbearg do some great new interfaces, check out their web demo's. maudio is cheap s***e , not much better than berinnger imo.

[mrfracas]

Originally Posted by bluebearddub

what ever you decide, stay well away from maudio, their gear is puke, ive had nothing but trouble since i bought my fastrack ultra last month.
buy the best gear you can afford, steinbearg do some great new interfaces, check out their web demo's. maudio is cheap s***e , not much better than berinnger imo.

Thanks for the advice.

I have an M-Audio Delta 1010 (as mentioned above), and the quality is great. However, I'm not attracted to their current interfaces. I'll trust your strong opinion against them; if you're aware behringer are no good, then I can put my faith in you.

Thank you all for proving that I am right in thinking PCI-E is much more reliable that FW or USB. Now I just need to find a reliable make and model. Does anyone have an opinion on RME's Multiface II PCI-E Bundle?