Recommend me a new soundcard

[Chris of Arabia]

I've just discovered that my relatively new Delta 1010 (the one with the external rack-mounted box) has been declared 'beyond economical repair', and as a result have been offered a full refund, or at least credit to that value due to when it was purchased. I now need a replacement...

I'd still like to have the similar connectivity options available to me, and if at all possible have a preference for one that connects through a PCI card. It's going on a PC running Windows 8 Professional 64-bit, and my main DAW software is still SONAR. Lastly, I'd like to keep the replacement under £500.00.

What would you recommend, as I've not gone card shopping for quite a while and the market looks to have moved on a bit from the last time I dipped my toe in the water.

[Pete Kaine]

Check out the various MOTU interfaces for the best fit spec wise.

[rACed2]

RME ?

[Pete Kaine]

Whilst I'd always say RME if it was an option, I don't think he will get that many analogue inputs on RME unless he spends a fair bit more than £500.

[Chris of Arabia]

As much as I'd love to go down the RME or MoTU route, the cost is looking rather higher than I'd want to she'll out at this point. As I also have a Focusrite 18i6 on the same PC, it would perhaps be more sensible to go with the 18i20, and keep the smaller unit for a portable set-up. At least that way, I'm keeping to a familiar interface and (probably) don't even have to concern myself too much about a different driver set. It's also difficult to ignore the fact that it has the right mix of connectivity options and features, even if it is done via USB. Thanks for the suggestions though.

>;o)

[Richie Royale]

The Fousrite you have has an optical in, so you could add something like the Octopre MKii to gain extra inputs.

[Chris of Arabia]

The Fousrite you have has an optical in, so you could add something like the Octopre MKii to gain extra inputs.

I think you might just have provided me with the answer there. I guess like most, I forgot all about the ADAT route in. It saves me a valuable USB in on the PC and doesn't stop me using the 18i6 in a portable form if I need it either. What's more it exactly matches the value of my refund. Win-Win-Win I think.

[Richie Royale]

No problem.