Quote Originally Posted by John Ludlow View Post
It's looking like it may be awhile before Bob publishes his hardware/OS recommendations for SAW and SAC 64. I want to build a new system to make use of them and I don't want to wait indefinitely. Unfortunately, I don't have an existing 64 bit system that I can devote to SAC/SAW use. I'll have to build one in order to even test. I'm planning on updating my converters and pres for the build as well. So, on the one hand, it's very exciting. But, on the other, it has the potential to be an *extremely* expensive disaster too. I'm hoping the forum can help.

I can't get a feel for how many people have upgraded and how successful they have been. If you have had good success using SAC/SAW 64 with more than a few channels - I'd appreciate it if you let me know the processor, MB, RAM, and OS you're using. Here are my main requirements - which are considerably easier than the limits of the software:

1.) I need 24 simultaneous channels.
2.) I would buy however much RAM that would benefit me.
3.) I use a fair amount of VST's and VSTi's.
4.) I prefer Windows 10 for longevity considerations but would use W7 if I had to.
5.) Bob mentioned that the cores that SAC/SAW wasn't using can be pressed into service for VSTs and VSTi's. If that's the case then I also prefer more cores - as long as that doesn't interfere with the operation of the one running SAC/SAW.

So, if you have a 64 system working very well with the new stuff and within the parameters above - I'd sure appreciate it if you'd chime in.

While we're at it, I'm wondering about converters too. Years ago, expansion card based connectivity with the computer was preferred over Firewire/USB due to the potential of gaps when the stream was doing something else. Is that still the case? To me, the thunderbolt-based RME and UA products have appeal because, in a pinch, I could use them with a laptop in situations that were not as demanding. And thunderbolt is so fast that maybe whatever gaps it has are immaterial? But, I don't want to go down that road at all if it might cause me problems. I want very low latency that I can set and forget.

What do you think? Is, for instance, a Fireface UFX+ a great option in a SAW/SAC 64 environment these days? Or is a card still better (which one)? Who has tested this themselves and knows for sure? For that matter - is a UFX+ total overkill for my needs?

Thanks!
Don't bother with firewire its a dead technology.

USB and Thunderbolt can both easily handle 24 channels. Motu says they can get 64 channels IN/OUT on USB2. I believe they get 128+ using Thunderbolt.

I'm inclined to believe the Thunderbolt drivers are more reliable from a utility standpoint, meaning when you turn on the system it will remember the connections more consistently/reliably than USB which has the ability to get stomped on if there are other USB devices plugged in.

Keep in mind this is an educated guess not based on direct experience with USB or Thunderbolt interfaces.

I'm currently updating my system as well but I'm still using ADAT as my method of I/O to the computer via an RME RayDAT card.

I have replaced my Behringer ADA8200 with Motu 8Ms. I haven't tried the USB or Thunderbolt options on those interfaces yet but plan on running some tests, as I should actually be able to drop the latency from the current 6+ms to under 4ms (maybe even under 3ms).

I'm also currently working on a new motherboard configuration running Win10 LTSB.

I'll post updates about this process once I get everything fully tested.