Seeking Advice On Best Firewire Digital To Audio Converter Compatible With Powermac G5 Options

[Meg Robinson]

I have a PowerMac G5 running Tiger OS. I have three external firewire drives, some of them using Firewire 800 connections. I have Roland D90 Monitor powered speakers. For several years, I was using the M-Audio Firewire 410 as a way to connect my Roland speakers to my computer, and also to use this interface for analog input. I'm a composer and use Finale software running on my Mac.

I have had all kinds of problems with the FireWire 410--it will stop working unexpectedly, it will cause the computer to freeze up. It will work for a while, and then stop working (no sound coming from the speakers).

After extensive research, I learned that if Firewire 800 devices are connected to the same computer as the M-Audio Firewire 410, this can cause the 410 to stop working.

I have given up on the FireWire 410 and am looking for another Firewire interface. I need 1/4" jacks into which I can plug my Roland speakers. I really only need 2 xlr inputs, and maybe an additional 2 1/4" inputs. I have to be able to control volume levels from my computer, not from the device.

I am also confused about the sound quality issues. Are all digital to audio coverters relatively comparable in terms of sound quality? While I don't need a lot of inputs on the interface device, I gather that the larger devices have better sound quality, but again, this is another area of confusion for me.

The key issue, I am learning, is the degree to which companies are committed to supporting Apple and the OS upgrades by continually upgrading drivers and addressing problems as they occur. I feel that M-Audio has really let down many users in this regard, and so whatever interface I get, I want it to work well with the Apple Core Audio as I will be using a MAC.

I would great appreciate advice on which companies are the most committed to Apple, and then which products users would recommend. I need this information rather quickly, so I would appreciate your response as quickly as possible!

Thanks!

Meg