Best quality audio interface under $1000?

I want the best sound, best converters possible, I can do with about 6 inputs, 6 outputs, more or less is fine. Something with like 10 inputs would be ideal but I don't know about prices. I'm on a mac. Would you guys suggest going the thunderbolt route? Seems a lot of newer audio interfaces are becoming thunderbolt based. What about usb vs firewire? I hear firewire is going out style. Need help because last time I did any real research on audio interfaces was like 5 years ago and there's all these new products coming out It's hard for me to keep track of all the new technology.

You be sure to get some decent replies here but it might be best to ask on gearslutz as well to a get more ranged response.

InspectahEX wrote:I want the best sound, best converters possible, I can do with about 6 inputs, 6 outputs, more or less is fine. Something with like 10 inputs would be ideal but I don't know about prices. I'm on a mac. Would you guys suggest going the thunderbolt route? Seems a lot of newer audio interfaces are becoming thunderbolt based. What about usb vs firewire? I hear firewire is going out style. Need help because last time I did any real research on audio interfaces was like 5 years ago and there's all these new products coming out It's hard for me to keep track of all the new technology.

Right now I'm using the Apollo Twin by UAD and I'm loving it so far. Just got it 2 days ago. It uses thunderbolt and its sounds really good even better than the apogee duet 2 i recently sold. Its only a 2-in/6-out interface though.

rme babyface...

maybe the rme uc in usa is under 1k ..

when i bought into rme, it's been the most stable best sounding interfaces i've used... Everything else always had some issue..

Lampdog wrote:
I've always liked MOTU

Very content about my MOTU 828mkII.

8 in + 2 mic ins, 8 outs, adat midi all that stuff. Bought it for €500 and really happy with the quality for that price. Works great with MAC also.

Lampdog wrote:At the max of the budget, this thing looks like a beast of an interface.
I've always liked MOTU just never ended up with one. Had a timepeice a while back, gave it away.

That MOTU is defiantly one hell of a beast of an interface Lamp

yeah on the 828 mk3 you run the firewire most likely. nice having the option... but I think you can get the mk2 or OG 828 and the converters might be the same... you would need to find someone to A/B them... the older ones I don't think have the effects built in.

mr_debauch wrote:yeah on the 828 mk3 you run the firewire most likely. nice having the option... but I think you can get the mk2 or OG 828 and the converters might be the same... you would need to find someone to A/B them... the older ones I don't think have the effects built in.

The mk2 don't have any FX

Menco wrote:

mr_debauch wrote:yeah on the 828 mk3 you run the firewire most likely. nice having the option... but I think you can get the mk2 or OG 828 and the converters might be the same... you would need to find someone to A/B them... the older ones I don't think have the effects built in.

The mk2 don't have any FX

no, but if you don't care about fx, and you will use firewire... the mk3 might be the same unit as the mk2.. so it might be worth checking if the converters are maybe the same and the other potential specs.

I dig my Saffire 40. Never had a single issue with it. Most important thing to me is that I can turn it on and GO. I also have a TASCAM FW-1082 that I use in my bedroom. I got it for $200... such a good investment.

Anyway, you have more options than I did when it came time for me to buy an interface. Buy nice - or buy twice. Shop careful!

medearis wrote:Buy nice - or buy twice. Shop careful!

Very true