I have an RME Fireface UC that is dying in various ways. First, the volume control on the front would suddenly jump to MAX VOLUME while turning. This is an obviously ear-bleeding problem for my whole family and neighbours! I did not want to send it to RME for repair, as I could not be without an audio interface not to mention the expense of repair so I used a "studio monitor controller" and the problem ended there.
Subsequently I find the RME support to be, let us say, somewhat arrogant in their communication with customers. I find their sarcasm towards customers bewildering, but that is a different story... lol
A new problem with the fireface uc is that I have to switch it on 2 times before it powers up! This is obviously a problem with the power supply. It is as consistent as time and you have to switch it on and off and on again for it to power on. Many other people seem to be reporting RME bad power supplies online too but are told to either get a new one, send it for repair or that they are wrong and lying! lol
I am going to need a new audio interface as I do not want to spend any more money on the fireface (it’s not exactly old before the first fault developed) and I am anticipating it breaking down completely.
But, here is what I want to do and correct me if I can't do this…
Because I need many analogue inputs, I am thinking of buying something like the "ART TubeOpto 8 Tube Microphone Preamp" or something similar and connecting that to the Fireface (until it needs replacing) via ADAT (is that right?). This will give me more analogue inputs for synths and stuff and still let use the bad RME fireface until it completely fails.
My real question - is this possible to connect something like the ART TubeOpto 8 to the fireface via adat to extend the number of analogue inputs? I can then just replace the fireface with something else with adat in the future.
Let me know if I have misunderstood something, as I do not have experience with adat.
Cheers!
