MOTU 828 vs. DIGI 001 Options

I am looking to get a new system for audio recording. I am leaining towards the Motu 828, but I know the DIGI 001 is a hot seller. Will I sacrifice quaility by going with the Motu 828. Are the Preamps as good? And sound quality?

Mainly, we want to use it to create our first CD. So we'll be recording vocals, instruments etc. Will one lend itself to this application better than the other? What about quality? What about OS X support?

What about for a newbie to learn, is the documenation on the MOTU 828 good enough that anyone could learn it easily, even a newbie, or do I need a book? Do they have books?

I will also use it to sweeten some video work from Final Cut Pro. I here the Motu Digital Performer is great for this, especially since I could mix Surround sound with it. Any thoughts here.

I basically like the MOTU better, but don't want to get something that will lessen the quality of the CD.

I have done a lot more research. From what I have gathered, most people who use ProTools and Like it swear by ProTools, and for this reason recommend the Digi001. They say, you can use it in any studio around, cause most have ProTools.

However, most of them to whome I explain my needs then agree teh Motu 828 and Digital Performer would be best. I do video and DVD work, so for mixing the Digital Performer is better for me. It allows SMPT time code, as well as 5.1 surround mixing. And I have yet to meet a person who didn't like the Digital Performer software. As well, for what sound recording we do, the portablility of the 828 is a much better solution for us.

As far as from those people who don't use ProTools, or aren't recomending one cause they like Protools. Most of these people have said either one, both will work well, and give you the same sound quality. And a lot of people who have used both have even gone as far to say that the Motu is a much better package. With better PreAmps, and they would go with that package. No one had anything bad to say about the Motu.

In all, most people I have talked to that have used it are very upbeat. Also, it deals better with latency, due to it's new technology. So I am pretty much sold on it.

And some people have bought the Digi001, and used the Digital Performer software with it. Then they can use ProTools or Digital Performer. This seems to be the biggest thing. People who recommend the Digi, do so because you can use protools. Protools only works with Protools Hardware, however, other software will work with Protools hardware. So, that's the gotcha, if you have to have Protools, then you need the 001, if you are OK with Digital Performer or with out Protools, then the Motu 828 sounds to be an equal if not superior product that will work great.

I hope I didn't ramble too much and that this helps,

Greg