I have the Emu 1616m PCI which has no driver support for Win7 (and won't for Win8 either)and am having random but not crippling problems that seem to be driver related. I'm thinking about buying the PCIe card (1010) which is compatible with my Dock. Has anybody done this and if so, any issues? Or....I could buy a USB sound device like the Quad-Capture or Komplete Audio 6 but don't want to sacrifice sound quality. I've never heard the USB devices so I have no frame of reference. Any thoughts?

I'm running X1/X2 with my EMU 1820 PCI and have had no problems with the latest drivers on Win7, not sure if they are made for XP or Vista, maybe.

I'm using ASIO drivers, though.  Using WDM don't work so well.

My Focusrite Scarlett USB interface sounds better than my old Layla Echo PCI interface. I don't think something like that will effect sound quality (the Scarlett sounds better because of the pres). It's more about data speeds I think but USB should be more than enough. 

I'm not an expert though.

I have a 1820m pci.  Been using the w7 beta drivers for past 3 (?) years. 32 and 64 bit OS. And now with w8 -64: 8.5.3,  X1, X2.

The drivers are 32bit.

Not sure if the problems I have with Sonar are audio driver related.

None of the crash dumps indicate the audio drivers.

Hi SandyF,

"SandyF"
I have the Emu 1616m PCI which has no driver support for Win7 ...

Not knowing which drivers you've installed that are causing you problems, here are the ones I installed that have served me very well for almost 18 months now (yes, I own and use the Emu 1616m on a daily basis on Windows 7 Pro - x64).

1] EmuPMX_PCDrv_US_2_30_00_BETA.zip
2] EmuPMX_PCApp_L6_2_10_00.exe (Release date : 14 Jul 11)

Keep in mind that you will not be able to use the Emu's DSP FXs as a plugin in your DAW anymore (fully functional otherwise), and you will be limited to a maximum sample rate of 48kHz (I use 24/48 as a default with great results). I have to say that I did believe I would have to replace my Emu when I went 64 bit, but to my surprise and experience, the above drivers (even though beta) have given me more than enough time to save for something better down the line. But until the unit dies on me, I'll keep using it. It's that good.

Good luck with whatever you decide. 

I have been running an 1820m for several years and even replaced the condensers myself to prolong life.  I was not aware of the latest driver release, (thank you Algeria), but the last full release is working just fine on Win7 x64 and SONAR X1 x64.  However, I was finding that I could not reduce latency to the pint I wanted and still have all the plugins on.  I heard from Seth et al, in the X2 Webinar, about the low latency of the Octa/Quad capture from Roland.  I got a great price at GigaSonic.com.  Latencty was improved.  I never used the EMU Fx in or outside SONAR.  I will try the new drivers that Algeria posted.  I don't know why Creative dropped support.  Not professional IMHO

"mauryw"
I was not aware of the latest driver release, (thank you Algeria) ...

You're welcome and I hope they serve you as well as they have me, in my environment. 

"mauryw"
I never used the EMU Fx in or outside SONAR.

Neither do I (inside Sonar that is), but I do use them in patchmix "post-send" especially when tracking my 12 string. Nothing wrong with a bit of real time color/colour without printing the FX to track.

I still have my 1616m and was using it for a while while my Octapus had a labotomy. The beta drivers work but not that well IMO. I got the BSOD every once and a while using it.

If your happy with the product then just get the PCIe card for it. Personally, I would save for something better. There was a definite huge increase in quality when I got my Octa-Capture vs. the 1616m.

E-mu seems to be dead. I have a 1616m PCI, (I am still running XP SP3), and I am pretty pissed off with this. I need a new machine, but this means dumping a perfectly fine audio interface.

 Thanks all for your input. Guitarpima, sounds like you have the same issue I've had. Not debilitating but irritating non-the-less. Biggest problem I have with the 1616m is the sensitivity of the input knobs. Very difficult to get into the sweet spot. The Octa-Capture is pretty far out of budget right now. Have you or anybody heard anything about the Quad-Capture compared to the Octa-Capture?