There is some really good info in this thread.
 
I have to admit RME products' reliability and durability are giant pluses.
 
I really like MOTU, yet for the last 2 years, I've been thinking about making a RME purchase. I really would like to get a good audio interface that will last me a long time. And info from various users in this thread is making me lean toward a UFX and a UltraLite AVB. As I'm becoming convinced that the higher price is justified with the audio quality, decent components, low latency performance, reliability, and great durability of the RME products (even though MOTU's higher line-up of new prodcuts has better dynamic range by 3+db than RME's flagship product). As mentioned, in the real world 3db difference wont make much difference when you're looking a 117 db and higher, anyway. I'm rather glad this discussion took place!
 
In time, I may get a UFX and a UltraLite AVB.

Again I need to mention the Tascam UH-7000.  High latency but if you want sound quality, you got it.  Conversion is excellent and the preamps are simply stellar.  For $400 you get high-end sound quality.  Excellent stereo unit.  latency on my system is 11 ms, but it has digital in/out so you can use it in conjunction w/ other interfaces.
 
@

AT
As far as sound quality, beware of stat quotes.  117 dB unit can sound better than a 123 dB unit.    
 

Agreed.
Though you won't find a noise-floor of -117dB with a lower quality piece of gear  
 
I throw out measured average noise-floor because it's a way of (quickly) giving an idea of the unit's fidelity.
Certainly doesn't tell the whole story...

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I'd like to understand something about the HDSPe part. Can any of the RME I/O's be connected and "improved" (RTL etc)via that PCIe, compared to their FF or usb "normal" paths? By any I mean, DigiFace, MultiFace, and FireFace. Do separate series require different versions of the HDSPe?
Thanks.
Michael 

There isn't much to be gained with the PCI slot cards outside of using digital interface cards to connect a wide variety of converters and benefiting from RME's fantastic interface.  Latency can be decreased slightly, but most companies have abandoned the PCI slot conversion cards because of inferior power supply quality on computer motherboards which can add an incredible amount of noise including oscillator "whining" to AD/DA conversion.  The protocol on RME's older cards that connected to the MultiFace was to avoid the onboard firewire port on a computer which were likely unstable and insufficient for audio use, especially if using a non-TI chipset.  RME's modern firewire and USB drivers can run reliably on inferior devices and chipsets.  

Thank you, Daniel.
So, the newer drivers really "maintain" the viability of the older I/O. That is good to know and cheaper! LOL
Michael