should i buy an apogee card?

[sweck]

so far im using the dio cards for adat, having absolutely no problems at all, why should i get an apogee card, will it make the sound quality better?

[Crash]

Some feel that they hear an improvement after installing the Apogee card. It sure makes your rig more flexible if you have one. The trouble is finding one, while not impossible, they are getting scarce and when you do find one, they cost...

[sweck]

cool cheers, in terms of more flexible in what way briefly?

[High C Double G]

cool cheers, in terms of more flexible in what way briefly?

The Apogee Clock card has connectors for INPUT --- if you want to clock the d8b from another source --- and OUTPUT --- if you want to link a direct cable to another piece of gear or pieces of gear using T-connectors to the equipment that have a wordclock input.

With the "original" wordclock card the d8b is the master clock and you are dependent on the d8b's crystal for the wordclock signal and that's it. With the original wordclock card, the d8b is it and that is the end of it - the wordclock signal is sent along for the ride along with the digital in/outs data stream. With the Apogee wordclock card, you can get a "better" wordclock signal. Or some people feel this way and it was sold by Mackie as an upgrade to the original wordclock card, therefore "better".
(I put "better" in quotes because although there are differences in word clock performance from different manufactures and within manufacture's different products, different units carry better crystals than others and so on, this is subjective just like anything else, but it is true - crystals vary... how much they vary and how it will impact your system and overall sound will only be determined by buying the products and trying them out or by borrowing, renting, and so forth). As well, subjective to many other factors, not the least of which are your ears.
Some people think this clock or that clock is the best... I happen to think that (for my set-up) I have the very best clock. Others might disagree and will argue that the clock they have is "better" this has been going on for a long time but really isn't so much a thing with DAW's getting so much more powerful and EVERYTHING is in one place so clocking isn't such a hot topic any more, but it was fun while it lasted
I have the original clock card and the Apogee and I have never re-installed the original, I run a master clock so I need the INPUT on the d8b to do this. I agree with Crash and what he said "Some feel that they hear an improvement after installing the Apogee card."
I think you can get a card for around 300-400 US now - at one time they were going crazy up into the 600-700 range, but just like almost everything else prices have come down.
Oops... I just saw your briefly in your last post.... If it is working don't fix it. If you need a way to wordclock IN to the d8b the only way is a Apogee wordclock card. If you have the money to buy one it is my opinion that it is a better way to go and you should install one. If you are going to keep the d8b and work with the desk, the upgraded Apogee card is a good upgrade. Money can be spent in all sorts of ways, ultimately it is up to you how you spend your money.

Finally, it is a general consensus that if you have a d8b you should have a Apogee wordclock card.

Hope this helps,
Michael

PS: sorry so long

[sweck]

no worries tx again guys ;0)