Thanks Randyman.  Mine is indeed a DS/96k.  Between the RayDAT and the HDSPe 9652 seems the latter would work fine and be cheaper, though I have a new RayDAT in a box from Sweetwater, thinking I might just go with that.  Is that a complete waste?  Thanks!

@Randyman: +1

@cdpixton:
> though I have a new RayDAT in a box from Sweetwater, thinking I might just go with that. 

The RayDAT is a very nice product, which I also have. I use an UFX as preamp in Front of the RayDAT.
This setup has been chosen
- to allow for very low latency
- to have a backup, shall the UFX be out of the house or needs maintenance
- optimize CPU consumption (audio transfers via PCIe are less CPU intensive compared to USB)
If you are interested in details, description here, there you can also find i.e. details like what changes in terms of latency (reported from cubase) compared to UFX via USB and Fw): http://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/inde … E-RayDAT/. Its written in German but the technical stuff should be self explaining.

> Is that a complete waste?

No, its a rock solid product and a proper solution if you intend to use external preamps, A/D and D/A converter.

Nevertheless there are a few aspects you should be aware of:

1. Its a solution which is not designed for mobility or stand-alone operation. As you usually screw it in into a PC.
And these devices are somtimes not mobile enough ... because of weight and what not ...

2. in regards of the length of a TOSLINK cable I wouldnt go over 15m. Thats already a lot and needs testing.
Its possible but already beyond standard I think.

3. The more you connect the more TOSLINK cables you have around.
Dont take to stiff cables with a lot of shield, up to 8 cables can become very thick.
Dont get one with too broad connectors, otherwise you might have trouble to connect to the RAYDat as the ports are quite close to each other.

4. ADAT: If you intend to record with higher sample frequencies, then the remaining amount of channels becomes lesser and lesser.
@44.1/48 you can i.e. connect i.e. 4 Preamps with 8 channels (32) and same amount out, if they have the ports
@88.1/96 only 2 Preamps are possible (total of 16 channels in and out)
With MADI you have 64 channnels and there are devices which allow for expanding such a soluition if required.

5. It has no analogue output for monitors or headphones. So whatever you connect via ADAT needs to have output channels for Monitor(s) and Phone(s) which can be used via ADAT.

6. Compared to other recording Interfaces of RME you have no possibility to connect a remote control to the RayDAT. So you might require a separate Monitor controller now or in the future. This is no real show stopper. But keep in mind that professional product like SPL 2Control have also their price. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/2Control.
The ARC http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ARCRemote is much cheaper and integrates nicely into RME recording interfaces. The upcoming ARC USB will even be nicer (only for UFX+).
Using the ARC now for a while I have to say its really nice to have the possibility to quickly DIM, mute and change volume very easy, when its near to your hands .. Or i.e. to change between monitor A and B.

Other solutions .... ?!

As Randyman says .. MADI .. but to make full use of this investment you really need to have plans to grow.
Otherwise I wouldnt go for that.

The new UFX+ with the ARC USB is a very nice upcoming product.
If offers nearly everything including MIDI, ADAT, AES, MADI ... and even flexibility / mobility (USB3 and thunderbolt)

But it has its price...