Small high quality interface

[Nlasers]

Hello

I'm in the process of paring back my home studio setup. I have an rme 800 interface and a few outboard EQ, comps etc. Thing is I tend to process in-the-box these days, so I'm letting go of the hardware. I also never record more than 2 sources at a time, so the preamps and i/o features of the rme are going to be redundant. And it will be sat in a rack all alone!

So I'm considering a smaller high end interface with fewer inputs/outputs, and trying to weigh up whether it would be a worthwhile purchase

 

The prism sound Lyra, and metric halo ULN-2 both look like great units, just what I'm after, but beyond those 2, there doesn't seem to be much choice of comparable units.

Is there anything else out there that I should be considering.

And how does the conversion of such interfaces measure up against my (admittedly pretty good sounding) rme? Much of a step up?

Cheers

[Joe Lonsdale]

Comparing the quality of DA converters is a kettle of worms best left to those with more money than work (whatever that means). Your RME is great and doesn't really take up that much space does it? Sounds like someone just wants to spend some money, and there I can help you - simply transfer it to my account and I will deal with it this end...

[David Nahmani]

The RME Fireface is a fantastic interface, there's nothing wrong with it, and I agree with Joel, I would recommend you keep it!

 

But if you insist on changing your interface then I can wholeheartedly recommend the ULN2 which is another fantastic interface as well.

 

If you're trying to get rid of the rack, consider getting an RME Babyface.

[Wolfie2112]

Would the RME 800 be redundant on a newer Mac since there are no Firewire connections?

[David Nahmani]

Would the RME 800 be redundant on a newer Mac since there are no Firewire connections?

You could use a FW adaptor or hub.... the FW802 has a USB connector.