Issues With M-audio Delta And G5 1.8 Dp?, Relates to PCI (-X) bus noise Options

[dougzilla]

Hi,

First post, appreciate any advice.

I've just purchased a 1.8 GHz dual processor G5 Power Mac, upgrading from an aging and slow 500MHz G4. I have used an M-audio Delta-44 4in/4out PCI interface for 2 years on that machine, no problems. I can't use it on the G5 because the old PCI card has 5V signalling while the new architecuture uses 3.3 V, regardless of whether the bus is PCI or PCI-X. M-Audio offers a swap-out for their latest Delta-44 card which it claims is PCI and PCI-X compatible for $50.

I called M-Audio today to order the new card and they told me there are issues (digital hash, crackles, etc.) using it in the 1.8 DP G5's and that they don't want to swap for my old card. They claim that they have been working directly with Apple for "months" and that the problem lies with them. They said to call Apple, which I did.

When I eventually got an Apple product specialist for the DP 1.8's on the phone, he says Apple knows nothing about this issue, but there were some issues in 1st gen 1.8 DP G5's (ones with 8 memory slots on the mother board). He knows of no such issues now. He says go back to M-Audio and work with them.

So this is a classic case of manufacturers pointing fingers at one another.

QUESTION: DOES ANYONE IN THE GROUP HAVE EXPERIENCE USING M-AUDIO PCI-X CARDS in G5 1.8 DP MACHINES? DO THEY WORK OR SHOULD I BE LOOKING FOR ANOTHER INTERFACE? I NEED ONLY 4IN/4OUT LINE LEVEL BALANCED FROM MY ANALOG MIXER, GOOD AD/DA CONVERTER WITH 24/96 CAPABILITY AND LOW LATENCY. WILL BE USING LOGIC EXPRESS 7 SOFTWARE.

TIA,
Doug(zilla)

[dougzilla]

Thanks, I'm still going around with M-Audio and Apple. The head tech at M-Audio will let me swap out my old card to try the new version, and refund my $ if it doesn't work, which is about the most I can expect, I guess.

If it doesn't work, I will try again to get satisfaction through Apple, but I didn't get very far last time.

If I eventually give up, WHAT'S THE NEXT BEST ALTERNATIVE, ASSUMING ALL I REALLY NEED IS THE 4/4 ANALOG IN/OUT? ANYONE KNOW THE ECHO AUDIO LAYLA 3G? IT HAS A LOT MORE BELLS AND WHISTLES....