The 0404 is not offered in the "M" version, but the 1212 can be had in both plain jane 1212 and the Mastering Converters 1212M model. However, the non-M version is no longer in production, but you may be able to find some still on dealer's shelves.

The 0404 is now available only as PCIe slot, the older standard PCI slot version is no longer in production, but if your computer does not have PCIe slot available, you may again be able to find some of the older PCI slot cards still on sale somewhere.

The 1212M PCI AND PCIe versions are both still in production.

The 0404 is a two-input Stereo audio card with two additional Digital inputs.

The 1212, M or non-M, is a multiple input/output setup that, while being able to utilize digital I/O for channels other than the first two analog channels (stereo) does not have its own converters or analog inputs and outputs for the remaining channels, making the use of multiple channel input/output not available unless and until you purchase more hardware from another source that will allow the analog connections via the ADAT input. Then you can have up to 8 more inputs.

As to the converters, the "M" converters do sound very nice indeed, but I've also found that the non-M versions of the E-MU cards still offer very good audio quality, certainly equal to or better than other offerings that one might consider. I'd put both into the "audiophile grade" classification, with the "M" taking the slight upper hand. The difference, if I could describe audio in words, is one of "transparency" - which I think has much to do with the fact that both units use a well-designed low jitter clock.

Both units must use the Patchmix software, which requires a learning curve over many other soundcard options. Patchmix is like a virtual Digital Mixer for the cards, powerful with its routing capabilities but somewhat daunting to the nontechnical types. They do include some default Templates with the software, though, which, if invoked can yield a plug 'n play situation of sorts.

E-MU support is not the greatest. For example, drivers for Vista and drivers for Win7 are still buggy and still listed as Beta on their website. This has led to many complaints, as well it should.

If you are not the type who deals with the technical problems well, you might be well advised to consider some other options IMO. Check out the M-Audio line, for one, their driver support is superb by comparison IMO.

BTW I own the 1616M - great sounding but I find myself using an M-Audio card for the everyday stuff, simply because of the technical stuff involved with the E-MU cards gets old on a day-to-day basis. So I only break out the E-MU here for high quality multitracking and mastering tasks. I originally wanted to use the E-MU 24/7 but alas the surprises from day to day and having to solve them got old rather quickly. Still, if you get into the operation of the card, the sonic quality it offers is absolutely better than most of the rest of the pack. It was rather shocking to play back some of my older mixes, done on other sound devices, thru the E-MU back when I first got the thing.


--Mac

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