Have you seen or used the MOTU Traveler? What were your impressions?

I've been considering a Firewire audio interface and the MOTU Traveler looks like it meets my requirements. But, I would like to hear comments from people on this forum who have seen or used it.

The M-Audio Firewire 410 meets *most* of my requirements (350 USD street). But, the MOTU Traveler looks like it would meet *all* my requirements (850 USD street). I've read posts on this board that mention the MOTU 828mkII. But since the MOTU Traveler is so new, I would like to have more information before I make my decision. What do you know?

Requirements:
+ Suitable for serious enthusiast use
+ Portable (battery or bus powered would be a plus)
+ Minimum of 2 mic/line inputs (4 would be great)
+ XLR/TRS Balanced connectors
+ Preamps at least as good as a M-Audio Firewire 410
+ Line inputs that accomodate pro/consumer audio levels
+ Ability to record 2 channels at once (4 would be great)
+ PC Drivers stable enough to record a live event
+ Ability to output 6 channels for 5.1 mixing
+ Headphone output with volume control

M-Audio Firewire 410
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/FireWire410-main.html

MOTU Traveler
http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/traveler

The Traveller is not going to be an audible step up, but as far as features, it's a much better product and a better overall deal.

I think you need to get rid of the parentheses. 4-in/4-simultaneous record, or 2/2. Decide.

I own the 828MkII and as well as a FW410 (which is sitting in a closet somehwere)....

I will tell you this, if you are on a Mac, stay away from the 410 - the drivers, and therefore the latency, are awful.

Matt

Scot, thanks for your comments. I've decided that I will only purchase a device that can record 4-simultaneous mic/lines in. So the Firewire 410 is no longer under consideration.

Matthew, I'll be using a PC with Vegas 5. DSE speaks highly of the Firewire 410 when used with a PC.

Anyone else have any comments on the quality/stability of the MOTU 828MkII or Traveler?

Yes, the 410 works very well with a PC.

both the 828mkii and Traveler are excellent products intended for professional (as opposed to consumer) applications. You have to pay a lot more to experience an audible upgrade, and it will likely not be as feature-rich. The preamps are quiet and clean, and the a/d conversion is excellent at the price point.

Not sure why 410 users would experience abnormal latency on a Mac, doesn't add up, or gel with my experience. Buffer size?