Sure, they are built to a price. But hits have been made with MOTU hardware! If you record 24+ tracks of acoustic music in a top studio, you want something better. But the OP said his Lexicon USB device conked out. That tells me he is not in the market for a Prism Orpheus or an HDX system.
Ten years ago it was a different story, but today you can get pro-grade conversion for <$1000. And you'd have to spend a LOT more to get something noticeably better.
The funny thing is, many of the "high end" units use exactly the same Cirrus Logic converters as the <$1000 ones. They have to, as there are only a few OEM's who manufacture these things.
The difference could be in the analog circuitry design, but when someone posted a blindfold test on Gearslutz, the majority of the "pros" preferred the $600 Steinberg MR816 over the $3000 Prism Orpheus. 😀 It is important not to underestimate the placebo effect that a hefty price tag can induce.
The bottleneck on my Mbox3Pro (and most others in this price range) is NOT the ADAC's but the preamps. They are OK, but nothing like a dedicated unit. The conversion is fine. In fact, Avid says it is the same as their HD192 (industry-standard for the last decade or so). And why not? They have gotten a return on their investment and can make that technology available in their budget units.
In any event, Glenn Ballard recorded Alanis Morrisette's multi-platinum Grammy-winning "Jagged Little Pill" on the original (blackface) ADAT's. Compared to the conversion in those, any of today's budget converters sound better.
