DO NOT buy anything FireWire, unless you like to have the same computer to the end of your career. I built new computer, wanted to use my Presonus StudioLive 24 mixer, but the FireWire did not work on the new computer because Presonus did not sign the drivers. With Windows 10 July 2016 release, all drivers have to be signed. Presonus (for example) signed all drives except first Studiolive release and now I have dead gear that I can not use. Asuming the RME signed the driver for this device, when you buy new computer in the few years, the drivers for FireWire cards may not be signed or it may be hard to find FW400 card compatible with latest Windows update. Windows is volcanic right now, everything changes rapidly. I would not risk. I am actually shopping for new interface as well BECAUSE of FireWire issue with Presonus. These are recommendations posted to me http://forum.cakewalk.com...-m3580258.aspx#3581013

AES/EBU is another digital standard like S/PDIF or ADAT lightpipe. I've never used it but it uses an XLR connector and I think it's only stereo so probably he means hooking up the Tascams over ADAT and the Art MP over AES.

Nobody uses the tape but it's a convenient standard still, you can get plenty of 8 in, 8 out converters in various price classes.

vladasyn
I was always wondering why they still use ADAT ins and outs- who in the world still uses the ADAT tape? And how is MADI works?

I bought into ADAT a long time ago as 'speed of light' seemed pretty darn quick.
So, I'm ADAT out of my mixer into ADAT in on my PCI-e sound card. 
If there is a faster (lower latency) way, I'd like to know.

you won't get a latency reduction with ADAT vs USB, afaic (ADAT is a cheap way for manufacturers to get a lot of extra channels).
furthermore ADAT is limited to 48k sample rate iic
have you checked out the RME fireface 802 ?  (specs are somewhat simular to the UFX) 
that could save you a few hundreds....if so, drop me 100 ok ? 

vladasyn
DO NOT buy anything FireWire, unless you like to have the same computer to the end of your career. I built new computer, wanted to use my Presonus StudioLive 24 mixer, but the FireWire did not work on the new computer because Presonus did not sign the drivers. With Windows 10 July 2016 release, all drivers have to be signed. Presonus (for example) signed all drives except first Studiolive release and now I have dead gear that I can not use. Asuming the RME signed the driver for this device.....

I'd be amazed if RME don't sign their drivers now because I know from personal experience they did last year for PC, do for Macs, regularly release updates drivers and firmware for models they no longer make and are a major player at the pro and serious semi-pro end of the market. If they made an error as basic as not signing drivers their forums would be ablaze amd reputation trashed.

You're right that Firewire is probably best avoided on PC, I've never bought anything that uses FW to attach to Windows because it's always been a bit of a lottery how well it would work. Not that it matters, RME's Firewire UFX etc. also have USB ports that work with USB2 and 3.