Fireface 800 Problems On Powerbook, Drop-outs / Cannot update Firmware Options

[kassotis]

Hi,

Im running OSX 10.3.9 on a Powerbook G4 1.5 GHz, 1GB memory and i just bought FIREFACE 800 thinking that its probably one of the best soundcards of its kind.

Unfortunatelly I cannot update the card's firmware (It fails at the end) and I'm having cliks on the right output channel (All right outputs headphones, spdif etc).

I have tried different firewire cables, 800 and 400, with and without devices connected on the firewire bus, isolated mains supply, reinstalled drivers, repaired permissions but still.
Crackles happen at all buffer settings, with logic, ableton live, itunes, quicktime, osx sounds etc.

Just to make sure, I've tested the unit on a PC and it had the same problems so I thought it must be the unit. So I went and REPLACED it but i'm still having exactly the same problems .

Any help would be great.

Ion

P.S. : I'm using the latest FIREFACE 800 drivers 2.01 and have tried flashing the unit with 1.83 flash utility and even the 1.66 one but no luck.

[kassotis]

Hi Magnus,

Is the unit's firmware 1.80. Coz it seems that units with this firmware are problematic. I replaced mine for the 3rd time with a unit that had 1.82 firmware and voila everything worked fine!! It can now update firmware and there are no clicks whatsoever .. It is in fact a very good soundcard.
You shouldn't be worried whether it works on your system .. it works pretty nice, so inform RME or the place you bought it and demand a replacement with an updated firmware.

Don;t take all i'm sying for granted .. that was my case but if you have exactly the same problems then maybe its your case as well.

hope that helps

ion