ad/da converter quality rme fireface 400 vs metric halo uln-2

I have a specific question for anyone who might have some direct comparison info regarding specifically the da converter quality of the rme fireface 400 and the metric halo uln-2. They are about the same price and my biggest concern is the quality of the converters...specifically d to a as i'm not going to be using the mic pres for much. I've read good reviews on both but i can't find any posts in any of the traktor sub-forums with testimonials on these interfaces with respect to use with T3. I know every possible variation of vague "soundcard" questions has been asked ad nauseam thats why i'm trying to keep it specific regarding the converters. I was considering the motu ultralite but i'm becoming more and more of an audiophile and i've read that the jump up from the motu price point to that of the rme and metric units will yield a discernible difference in quality especially on better sound rigs. The fireface is a little more versatile with respect to i/o options and the only negative review i've read is that the headphone out is poor quality...again i apologize in advance if anyone finds this question trite...but i really have done a lot of research and just want to make the most informed decision i can before plunking down a grand.

p.s. i will be using this in conjunction with a macbook pro so compatiblity for the metric halo won't be an issue.

 

There are a couple of users here who have the RME who I'm sure will speak up. Dunno anyone here who has a Halo though.

Phil

 

hey PhiL,

if you know any of the users of the rme maybe i could pm them some specific questions.

Thanks in advance

 

TTauri has the Metric Halo I think.

 

Thanks Sean I didn't realize that, He's going seriously high end then? Makes the productions even sweeter I guess.

Phil

 

Thanks for the info Sean

 

One thing is that the ULN is rather more limited in terms of outputs. If you're not needing the mic pres (which are a particularly outstanding feature on the ULN-2), maybe consider the 2882 instead?

Anyway, I haven't listened to it next to the RME, I'm afraid (I have the 2882 by the way), so I can't say how the DACs compare. But the MH converters are great for sure. Also, it's very flexible in terms of interfacing with gear of different impedances etc.

Francois K has both and talks about them here.

If your main goal is to play out with it, the RME is quite a bit smaller.

If you're also going to be using it for production, then the Metric Halo may be a more interesting option in that you have the option of its DSP capabilities. I was just talking with the Metric Halo folks at the AES convention, and it sounds like they're developing some pretty interesting stuff DSP-wise.

Peece,
T. Tauri

 

For producing, the DACs are outstanding--really truthful with some good monitors. Tho at the time I got mine, the choice in firewire interfaces was limited to the MOTU 828 and the Metric Halo, so it wasn't much of a decision.

For Traktor, I use something smaller--FA-66 mostly (vinyl gets ripped through the Metric Halo first tho).

Peece,
T. Tauri

 

I've had the RME FF400 for a few months now.

Extremely happy with the quality, versatility, stability and size. It's everything I was looking for in an interface. I can't compare its converters with the ULN-2, having never heard one. I considered the Metric Halo but went with the RME because the mic-pres would be wasted on me and I needed 2xstereo-outs for running Traktor through an external mixer, which I don't think you can do with the ULN-2 (although please correct me if I'm wrong).

If FK says this...
"I use the Metric Halo at home for high-end transfers to 24-bit / 96 kHz from analog sources. It has the best-sounding front end to my ears. Actually, I am not sure that I can tell the difference anymore, the Fireface is also pretty astounding."
...then it's good enough for me!