Echo Indigo IO Stereo 24/96 Laptop Cardbus

[Nigel Harkness]

I'm looking into getting a Echo Indigo IO Stereo 24/96 Laptop Cardbus sound card for my laptop:
http://media.zzounds.com/media/brand,zzounds/p23319d-301db5a28c0f29dd6451b117283cee36.jpg

I currently have a M-Audio Ozone acting as my sound card/ midi controller and was wondering what everyones thoughts are on the quality of sound of one vs. the other?

[jasedee]

I think Echo has a better reputation than M-Audio......

Dont have any experience with either product though.....but I would suggest MOTU's 828

[Wandering Kid]

isnt the 828 a 19 inch rackmount? a bit big for portable use? i only raise this question because NH was looking into compact midi interfaces.

the 828 is also expensive, they only offer a 3 month warranty on it (this really doesnt bode well.) and their tech support for PC users at least is shit.

if you are looking into mobile interfaces NH have you checked edirol's FA101? its half the price and less than half the size of the 828 mkII, its a 10 in/10 out 24bit/96khz firewire audio interface with 2 preamps. it lacks the adat, word clock and optical connections of the 828 however and admittedly does not look as cool but its anoter option. it can be totally bus powered for completely mobile operation and its far and away better than m-audio's firewire 410 which has cheapy plastic rotaries, not very many ins/outs and *terrible* drivers. does anyone know if the 828 can be powered off the firewire bus? it looks like it would require alot of juice...

[cheesy]

I've also been considering getting one of these. My only concerns are:

1) Theres only one input and one output

2) They're 1/8" rather than 1/4"

3) They're not balanced


Other than that I hear it's great quality, low noise, 96kHz/24bits. I could get one for about $150 US, is it worth it? For now I'll mostly be using it for sampling and recording from turntables, and outputing to monitors for producing.

Also, I was looking at the PreSonus FirePod (http://www.presonus.com/firepod.html) but that MOTU 828 looks a lot nicer and not too much more ($750 vs. $600)

[jasedee]

You need to think not just about what you will be doing short term, but a little down the track too!

For now you may only need stereo I/O, but what about later??? Try to plan you purchases with some end goal in mind, and you will not make too many mistakes purchasing 'cheap' gear

When I was faced with the "Which Soundcard?" decision, I ended up spending alot more than I thought, and got an over spec'd 2408mkIII, but now love the fact that I have 24 channels TDIF/ADAT, to interface with a digital mixer or multi-tracker, or whatever....

I have options, and there is no doubt that I will need those options some time soon (ie when 10 simultaneous tracks isnt enough)

Good luck!

Jase

[blay]

check out the new motu traveller - basically an 828mkII in a smaller rack capable of 24/192k :D

Motu Traveller (http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/traveler/images/overview.jpg)

... for around the same price as the 828mkII :wink:

[Nigel Harkness]

The key thing that I must have is something that is portable and quality. I travel pretty regularly to my girlfriends place and back to my place and never leave home without my laptop. I am off to bed but will look at the MOTU in the AM.

[jasedee]

That Traveller looks pretty good. I have found MOTU products great, but I am on MAC.....

[blay]

pc users will have the same success with motu as mac users these days.