What audio interfaces are everyone using with Platinum?

Looking to move on from my old Echo Audiofire 12. Would like 16 channels. I'm approaching retirement and need to get the best sound/performance at a reasonable price.
The MOTU 16A looks interesting but, trying to watch my budget. Two MOTU 8 pre's would save a bit. Heard good stuff about Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 & Octa Pre.
I've never ran 2 units at once. Don't know about stability doing so. Was hoping some nice folks might share what they are having success with.
I'm running Platinum, Windows 7, Intel core i3, 8 gigs RAM.
Thanks for any insight!

Hi, I've been using the Focusrite 18i20 and a Presonus D8 into it through adat giving me 16 channels. The mixer for the focusrite may take awhile to get use to but I have not had a single problem. Rock solid. You have to option of 4 stereo headphone mixes or 8 mono. The focusrite was around $450 and the presonus was less than $300 if my memory serves me correctly. Excellent quality. The only thing missing is onboard DSP in case the vocals wants reverb of whatever but that hasn't been an issue. Anyway, good luck!

Ah, yes, Craig! I forgot about that. I also should mention I need 16 line inputs. So, I guess that kind of really limits me to a single unit. I guess I really didn't think about that limitation since I see many people using a main 8 channel interface and ADAT out to add 8 more channels.

I use an analog console and outboard pre's so don't really need any pre's. However, if whatever I end up with happens to have some.... bonus. But, 16 line inputs is a MUST.
Jeff Oliver: So, then, you're not using ASIO?? What are you using?
 

The new Tascam 20X20 is coming out next month and looks to be a winner.  I suppose you can gang them, but it has an ADAT and Spidf for the extra 10 inputs, w/ 8 mic pres and two in lines, I believe.  Craig likes the other units in family so it should be a winner.  No idea about latency, but I should get one in next month.
 
@

I have never done this personally, but seen it referenced several times. AFAIK, ASIO aggregation is achievable, but seems only possible with units of the same brand which support this (so drivers truly match). I recall seeing a Focusrite Saffire video when I first got mine and the guy jumped into doing this right off the bat.
 
Definitely something to research as you must know beforehand that ASIO aggregation exists, and that the units are capable of talking properly to each other.
 
Just found a post by Focusrite on another board, and this brings up another point that bandwidth can get exceeded by aggregating two large units.

Pretty sure you can add eight channels with an ADAT (Lightpipe) connection. The ASIO driver sees only the interface itself, with eight additional inputs beyond those that are physically present. ADAT can only accommodate 44.1 or 48 at 24 bit, so if you use higher setting this might not be for you. This article is five years old, but I think the info is still valid. I have never done this myself, so be careful before you spend your dough.
 
[Edited for typo]

Still using my trusty RME Fireface 800
 
I was already a big fan of this unit, but when they rewrote their TotalMix software this year to work on the FF800 - a 10 y.o. or so product - they really locked up my loyalty with that level of support.  That was big.

Hi,
I´m using the Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 and a
Octopre via Firewire card (TI chipset ) since years 
without any problems. This packkage "sounds" really good.
 
If you have more bucks for disposal I recommend RME, UAD aso
interfaces cause of better latencies - which is no problem with the saffire range-
but it´s simply easier to handle in that units......
 
Basicely it s a question of how long you want to work with the new interface-
caus firewire/thunderbolt interfaces could be a dead end in the next years for windows based system.
 
 
 

SF_Green
Still using my trusty RME Fireface 800

Same here.

No problem using ADAT to add ADDA channels - or Spdif to add stereo ADDA.  The 2nd interface does the conversion work and shunts the digital tracks over to the interface.  They just need to sync clocks - the 2nd interface doesn't even need to be hooked up to the computer if it remembers settings.
 
@

I use a Saffire Pro 40 connected via ADAT light pipe to my Yamaha O1v mixer which gives me 8 Channels in from the Pro 40 and another 8 Channels in via the O1v which I can actually have 16 analogue inputs to routed to the ADAT if required.
 
Focusrite do a separate eight in that could be connected via ADAT to a Pro 40.

I use Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 and a Motu 896 as my main units - I have a couple of the Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 on different systems - NEVER had an issue with those - did with the Motu but their customer service was excellent, so I would recommend either.
Nigel
 

  I'm currently using a Focusrite Pro-40 and I'm happy with it. I've actually connected my old Adat Xt with a Nady 8 channel mic pre to expand to 16 tracks.
  I'm really intrigued by the Presonis Studio 192 that's being released shortly. It has mic pres that are remote controllable through an Ipad app. To anyone that's ever been in their studio alone trying to record yourself playing an acoustic guitar, this is a very cool feature. 
  Your sitting with your guitar comfortably in your chair with the headphones on and the mic in the perfect position and the preamp gain isn't right. Now what. Take off the headphones ,put down the guitar walk to the other room hoping that you don't move the mic, to adjust the preamp gain and try it again.
  The rest of the specs look pretty amazing also. I'm curious about USB3 latency.
  It looks like they've raised the price $100 since it was announced though.It's up to $900.00. I guess I'm not the only one impressed with the specs.
  The add on unit with the DB-25 connectors looks pretty slick too. 

Hey Joe (see what I did there?) that Presonus unit certainly looks interesting.
 
The spec makes pretty good reading and I'll be in the market for a new interface soon.
 
It's a bit more than what I had allowed for (& sought  permission ) but I reckon I could put on the old Jonesey charm and do a bit of sweet talking.