• vavan
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Topic: Upgrade from FF400

Hi all,

I have been a happy user of my Fireface 400 for over a decade. Before that I was a happy user of the Multiface.

I currentlly run a 2018 MacMini i7 and everything works as it should with an apple adaptor.

I'm at a stage however in which I am looking into some studio upgrades and I realise the FF400 may not last forever.

A few extra inputs could be handy so I thought the Fireface 802 FS would be a good option as would the UFX II.

Alternatively I could keep the FF400 and add something like a sub mixer or the Franklin SS6 to keep everything in the studio connected. This makes economic sense.

My main query is if there is a notesable difference in audio quality betwen the old FF400 and newer devices?

In short, would you recommned going from the FF400 to a newer device?

Many thanks!

Mac mini 64GB RAM, RME Fireface 400, REAPER, ABLETON

2 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2025-01-07 20:30:23)

  • ramses
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Re: Upgrade from FF400

Regarding UFX II and UFX III
Converter became faster and better, in fact, are those of the ADI-2 Pro FS reference converter.
The new mic preamps have 75db gain range and have the quality of a 12Mic.
You have features like DURec and Autoset.
The headphone outputs are stronger, better, have less impedance.
The devices are also operable via display, which is an advantage if using stand-alone mode.
UFX II and III offer full implementation of FX, Room EQ and Crossfeed are both supported.

You can compare devices using my comparison excel here.
https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=35156

802 FS I do not like so much, it is IMHO an advantage to be able to store all parameters digitally in TM FX.
This makes restring of a setup / use case so much easier.

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, M-1620 Pro D, RayDAT, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10
  • vavan
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Re: Upgrade from FF400

many thanks Ramses...good to know. I'm not sure I'll require the extra functionality the UFX devices provide but if the preamps are greatly improved it might be worth it.

Mac mini 64GB RAM, RME Fireface 400, REAPER, ABLETON
  • Registered: 2018-12-21
  • Posts: 331

Re: Upgrade from FF400

vavan wrote:

but if the preamps are greatly improved it might be worth it.

The new preamps designs have some extra gain and go up to 75 dB instead of 60 dB now.
I personally didn't notice much of a difference in the audio quality of the preamps between different generations of Firefaces.
Everything still sounds clean and neutral.

  • ramses
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Re: Upgrade from FF400

The analog converters might be better in terms of sound. At least they are much faster.

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, M-1620 Pro D, RayDAT, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10
  • vavan
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Re: Upgrade from FF400

hselters wrote:
vavan wrote:

but if the preamps are greatly improved it might be worth it.

The new preamps designs have some extra gain and go up to 75 dB instead of 60 dB now.
I personally didn't notice much of a difference in the audio quality of the preamps between different generations of Firefaces.
Everything still sounds clean and neutral.


Thanks! great to know.

Mac mini 64GB RAM, RME Fireface 400, REAPER, ABLETON