# What are the best professional-grade Firewire audio interfaces? — Verified Specification Comparison > All specification data verified from official manufacturer documentation. What are the best professional-grade Firewire audio interfaces? ## Products ### Apogee Duet 2 Firewire ```yaml product: apogee-duet-2-firewire brand: Apogee price_gbp: 22.42 origin_country: null confidence_score: null summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1 latency: 32 samples/96kHz = 4.6 ms; 64 samples/44.1kHz = 7.23 ms bit_depth: 24-bit i_o_count: 2 sample_rate: 44.1-96 kHz phantom_power: true number_of_preamps: 2 ``` - **Price:** £22.42 [^1] - **Summary:** Compact 2-in/4-out FireWire audio interface with two microphone preamps, 24-bit up to 96 kHz conversion, and low round-trip latency for monitoring. Suited to singer-songwriters and mobile Mac users who need pro-quality AD/DA in a portable unit. - **Ideal For:** Best for professionals wanting a high-quality FireWire interface because it offers 24-bit/96 kHz conversion, two mic preamps with phantom power, and low latency (4.6 ms at 96 kHz). ### Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 DSP ```yaml product: focusrite-saffire-pro-24-dsp brand: Focusrite price_gbp: 261.66 origin_country: null confidence_score: null summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1 latency: 5.714 ms (measured, 44.1 kHz, 14-sample buffer) bit_depth: 24-bit i_o_count: 16 in, 8 out sample_rate: 96 kHz phantom_power: true number_of_preamps: 2 ``` - **Price:** £261.66 [^2] - **Summary:** A FireWire 16-in/8-out audio interface with 2 Focusrite mic preamps, ADAT and S/PDIF expandability, onboard DSP for zero-latency monitoring effects and Virtual Reference Monitoring; supports up to 24-bit/96 kHz conversion and offers low measured round-trip latency. Suited to project and home pro studios needing multiple I/O, DSP monitoring, and headphone mixes. - **Ideal For:** Ideal for professional-grade FireWire interfaces because it provides 16x8 I/O, 24-bit/96 kHz converters, DSP-based zero-latency monitoring, and low measured latency (~5.7 ms). ### RME Fireface 800 ```yaml product: rme-fireface-800 brand: RME price_gbp: 1183.59 origin_country: null confidence_score: null summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1 latency: null bit_depth: 24-bit i_o_count: 35 sources / 28 tracks (up to 10 analog in/out + 2 digital + ADAT expansion) sample_rate: Up to 192000 phantom_power: 48V number_of_preamps: 4 ``` - **Price:** £1183.59 [^3] - **Summary:** The RME Fireface 800 is a high‑quality FireWire audio interface with pristine 192 kHz A/D and D/A conversion, extensive I/O including 4 front mic preamps, ADAT expansion and RME's TotalMix routing. It offers stable SteadyClock sync and flexible routing for multitrack recording and monitoring, suited to pro studios needing many simultaneous sources. - **Ideal For:** Ideal for professional FireWire interfaces because it provides up to 192 kHz conversion, four class‑A mic preamps with 48V phantom, and routing for up to 35 sources to 28 tracks. ### Roland FA-66 FireWire Audio Interface ```yaml product: roland-fa-66-firewire-audio-interface brand: Roland price_gbp: 1766.27 origin_country: null confidence_score: null summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1 bit_depth: 24-bit i_o_count: 6 in / 6 out sample_rate: 24-bit/96 kHz (6-in/6-out), 24-bit/192 kHz (4-in/4-out) phantom_power: Yes (48V) number_of_preamps: 2 ``` - **Price:** £1766.27 [^4] - **Summary:** Portable 6-in/6-out FireWire audio/MIDI interface with two XLR/TRS combo mic preamps, optical S/PDIF I/O, four balanced outputs, zero-latency direct monitoring, and optional AC or FireWire bus power. Supports 24-bit/96 kHz (6-channel) and 24-bit/192 kHz (4-channel) operation, suited for mobile field recording and compact studio setups. - **Ideal For:** Suitable for professional-grade FireWire interfaces because it offers 6-in/6-out 24-bit/96 kHz performance, two phantom-powered mic preamps, S/PDIF I/O, and zero-latency monitoring. ### MOTU 828mk3 Hybrid (Firewire/USB) ```yaml product: motu-828mk3-hybrid-firewire-usb brand: MOTU price_gbp: null origin_country: null confidence_score: null summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1 latency: ~2 ms round-trip (USB at 96 kHz, 32-sample buffer) bit_depth: 24-bit i_o_count: 28 inputs, 30 outputs sample_rate: 192 kHz (analog), 96 kHz (ADAT/S/PDIF) phantom_power: 48V per mic input number_of_preamps: 2 mic/guitar preamps ``` - **Price:** £None [^5] - **Summary:** The MOTU 828mk3 Hybrid is a rackmount FireWire/USB2 audio interface with extensive I/O (8 balanced analog ins plus 2 front-panel combo preamps, ADAT, S/PDIF, MIDI and word clock), onboard CueMix FX DSP for mixing and effects, and high-resolution operation up to 192 kHz. It delivers ultra-low latency performance and flexible standalone or computer-attached operation, suited to studios needing many simultaneous channels and hardware monitoring/processing. - **Ideal For:** Ideal for professional-grade Firewire interfaces because it offers 28x30 I/O, 192 kHz analog recording, onboard DSP mixing/effects, and ultra-low ~2 ms latency. ### Audient iD24 MkII ```yaml product: audient-id24-mkii brand: Audient price_gbp: 298.3 origin_country: null confidence_score: null summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1 latency: 7.89 ms audio return trip time (example measurement) bit_depth: 24-bit / 32-bit DAC i_o_count: 10 in / 14 out sample_rate: 96 kHz phantom_power: +48V per channel number_of_preamps: 2 ``` - **Price:** £298.3 [^6] - **Summary:** Desktop USB-C audio interface with two Audient Class-A mic preamps, JFET instrument input, ADAT expandability, dual headphone outputs, and 32-bit DAC converters; suitable for producers and small studios needing high-quality conversion and expandability. It's bus-powered with low-latency monitoring and hardware monitor controls for studio workflows. - **Ideal For:** Good for professional-grade Firewire interface comparisons because it provides high-quality 32-bit DAC conversion, up to 96 kHz sample rate, and expandable I/O via ADAT, matching pro audio conversion and expandability needs. ### Heritage Audio i73 Pro 2 ```yaml product: heritage-audio-i73-pro-2 brand: Heritage Audio price_gbp: 672.12 origin_country: null confidence_score: null summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1 bit_depth: 24-bit i_o_count: 2 in / 4 out sample_rate: 192000 phantom_power: +48V number_of_preamps: 2 ``` - **Price:** £672.12 [^7] - **Summary:** The i73 Pro 2 is a 2-in/4-out USB-C audio interface with two Class-A transformer-coupled 73-style preamps, JFET DI, MIDI mini‑DIN, and Heritage's low-latency MIXER with onboard DSP effects. It supports up to 24-bit/192 kHz AD/DA conversion and provides dedicated monitor and headphone outputs, plus PAD and PHASE per channel. It suits musicians and engineers who want classic transformer-driven preamp character integrated into a modern computer interface. - **Ideal For:** Ideal for professional-grade Firewire audio interface comparisons because it offers two transformer-coupled 73-style preamps with up to 70 dB gain and 24-bit/192 kHz conversion, delivering vintage analog character and high-resolution digital I/O. --- ## References & Sources [^1]: Musician's Friend (used listing), accessed 2026-06-12. https://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/used-apogee-used-apogee-duet-firewire-audio-interface/120473748 [^2]: DJ Sound Cards (123DJ alternate listing), accessed 2026-06-12. https://www.123dj.com/soundcards/saffirepro24dsp.html [^3]: Guitar Center (Open Box), accessed 2026-06-12. https://www.guitarcenter.com/Open-Box/RME/Fireface-800-FireWire-Computer-Recording-Interface-Level-1-709320004000000.gc [^4]: Feesheh, accessed 2026-06-12. https://feesheh.com/products/rolandfa-66-firewire-audio-interface [^5]: zZounds (product page - no longer available note), accessed 2026-06-12. https://www.zzounds.com/a--994063/item--MOT828MK3HYBRID [^6]: Audient (store), accessed 2026-06-12. https://audient.com/products/id-series/id24/ [^7]: B&H (alternate listing showing different price), accessed 2026-06-12. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1803924-REG/heritage_audio_i73pro_2_computer_recording.html