The Fireface UC outperforms FireWire 400 interfaces because it has a unique "dual transfer core," which basically means that the interface detects whether it's connected to a Mac or a PC at boot-up, and loads a custom firmware to take full advantage of the specific connected OS. This is also why the specs of the Fireface UC running on Mac laptops completely destroys the specs of the Fireface UC connected to Windows laptops.RonaldDumsfeld wrote:The USB is inherently crap and always worse than Firewire is now a myth.
USB 1.1 was admittedly limited but even USB 2.0 is more than acceptable. Look up the figures for the RME Fireface UL vs the Frewire only equilvalent. USB actually gives better latency. Firewire is a development of the old SCSI standard but is now owned by Apple. So all the R&D is now USB based (i.e. USB 3.00.
I own a MOTU Ultralite Hybrid which offers both Frewire and USB 2.0. I honestly cannot find any differences in operation although I generally use the Firewire port because i can easily guarantee exclusive channel access but it's never been a problem ither way - at least since MOTU fixed their USB drivers.
Many Mac laptops can achieve 32 buffers, while only a couple of the best and the brightest PC laptops can achieve 64:
http://www.rme-audio.de/en_products_fir ... _pclaptops
Seriously, if you guys want to have a meaningful discussion about USB 3.0 and audio, log back into the forum in 2012. Until then it's just a waste of time and thought.
And oh yeah... FireWire ports have always been scarce on PC computers. Always.