RME 400 vs. 800

[plaid_emu]

OK, so I'm sacrificing half of my gear on the alter of eBay in the quest for better sound and the hopes of streamlining my workflow.

I've decided to go back to mixing OTB with a Speck Xsum and an RME 400 after the auctions end. I'm using ADAM A7's and Monster Cables, so I'm alright on that side. Probably need some more room treatment eventually.

Before I buy these though, I'd like to get some details about the whole 400 vs. 800 debate. I've been searching some posts on audio forums and some say the 400 sounds worse than the 800. Others say they're the same. Then there's another camp who say the A/D conversion on the 400 is superior to the 800, but the D/A conversion on the 800 is better than the 400. If I email RME and ask them, they'll probably say they're the same.

If anyone's interested, here's what I decided to keep:

Access Virus TI (desktop), DSI Evolver (desktop), Waldorf Blofeld, Spectral Audio Neptune II, Focusrite Trakmaster (with A/D card), TC Electronic Triple C (multiband comp), ESI M4U (MIDI interface), Monster Power 2500 (x2)

Keeping my live setup the same:

(MPC-1000, Waldorf Micro Q Phoenix, Alesis Photon X25, Lexicon MX 400, Ashly line mixer)