Gee, I'm having a PreSonus flashback. I finally ordered a Cakewalk UA 25 EX. Of course, it's been backordered for weeks with no end in sight. I can't find one company that has even one in stock currently. If this doesn't hurry up I may try an M-Audio 610.

I'm really not a product basher, but there sure seems a strong coincidence of PreSonus not wanting to play with Sonar. I'm sure PreSonus makes a fine unit, but I'm also sure it works better on some programs than others.

DS

90+ % of the time when someone posts a problem with a Firewire audio interface, they're not using a TI chipset Firewire controller.  You can read these forums and see several posts (saying the same basic thing) nearly every day.
In the majority of these cases, moving to a good TI chipset FW controller resolves the problem.
Note that if your machine is having multiple (other) issues, a TI chipset FW controller won't address/fix those problems, but it is without question the best place to start if you're looking for rock-solid performance.
 
If you're still having issues after installing the TI FW controller, then I'd have a look at your DPC latency.

Thanks Jim, maybe I should get one. Are they easy to install? Can you order them on line? What's a basic price for one port? Or should I do two while I'm at it?

Thanks!

DS

Thanks Jim, maybe I should get one. Are they easy to install? Can you order them on line? What's a basic price for one port? Or should I do two while I'm at it?

 
Hi DS,
 
An ADS Pyro PCI TI Chipset FW controller sells for ~$35 locally.
This card has three ports
 
You can order TI chipset FW controllers online.
 
At the very least, I'd get one for your desktop.
The laptop situation will likely not be improved by a TI chipset express-card FW controller.  The express-card slot is likely using the same brand of (problematic) controller.  IOW, You're not circumventing the problematic chipset. 

I agree with AndyPanda. My Presonus Firebox wouldn't play nicely with the on-board TI firewire controller, but it runs perfectly with a cheapo PCI firewire card using a VIA chipset.
 
FWIW the PreSonus website recommends TI or Via firewire chipsets.

Good luck.