upgrading my duet/audio interface

I have used a firewire Duet for recording for the past few years on my MacBook Pro (using primarily Logic), and I am thinking of upgrading. I really like the ease of use with the Duet and in general, it sounds good. But I need something with more inputs. I was looking at the Echo Audio Fire12 -- though for recording with a mic, it looks like you need an adapter. Motu Ultralite also looked promising. I am looking in the $500-800 price range but obviously was the best sound for the money. any suggestions/thoughts?

MOTU/RME.

second hand, cos those things don't break, ever.

ps. super-underrated obscure gear by terratec (terrortec):

"phase 88" 8in/8out 24/96 thingy in a 1RU case, gain knobs for every incoming channel, very very decent A/D/D/A convs (tho not quite up to Apogee scratch)

for a sample of the kind of recording i've done with the duet, you can check this track out: http://soundcloud.com/occurrence/when-i-go-away-single-version

thanks iep, that's helpful.

cool. tho using a mac/logic setup limits your choices. lots of valueformoney-gems don't support modern OS'es and all that appley coreaudio biz. for more modern gear tho, i cannot recommend the MOTU boxes enough. the MOTU/RME point is, imo, where the scale tips into numbers-fetishism: if you're spending over a thousand on any non-specialized interface, you're probably just buying numbers written in ink on paper.

For something a bit less pricy with still some good sound, I'd like to throw in the Tc Electronic Impact Twin - 16 ins, 16 outs firewire for $400. Its probably going to be my next purchase unless I decide to go down the Pro Tools route, then i'll get an mbox.

I have the Echo Audiofire 8 and I think the preamps & A/D are pretty lame. I've done comparisons going into the Audiofire 1/4" ins and the 1/8" in on my portable recorder (which sounds great) and was not impressed with the Audiofire. Now I have the RME Babyface (Duet for PCs) and am muuuuch happier.

However if you've heard one and like it I'll gladly sell you mine for cheap

thanks for all the advice.

i am thinking of going with this:

MOTU UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid

is this a big upgrade from the duet?

When I bought the Babyface I did a lot of this type of asking around and apparently, the Duet's pres are really hard to match in a multitrack device. Do you need a bunch of good preamps or just a bunch of clean line ins?

nvm

good question A/D. i use to the duet to record my electronic instruments (samplers, keyboards, drum pads, etc) as well as my vocals. maybe keep the duet for vocals and use the MOTU for instruments....

Yeah I'd be careful assuming that a MOTU device is going to sound better than the Duet.

Ah the thing is that i need more inputs than i can get with the duet since i am now recording with more people. But more important, I do want something that sounds as good if not better than the Duet. But maybe the cost of the MOTU UltraLite-MK3 isn't worth it.

yeah. Try to hear it first. My impression is it's pretty hard to get Duet/Babyface quality in a multichannel interface (that doesn't go to a PCI card). If you only need 2 more channels I would recommend getting another Duet . .

let us know if you hear stuff or make a decision!