Thanks for the input on this, guys. Currently none of The MR series are available on steinberg’s US online store. I’ve held out for a new version of this interface for a few years now because I did not feel that FW was the future. USB 3.0 would be a good connection, but it seems like nobody aside from RME is putting out a USB 3 interface.
I currently see a lot of thunderbolt interfaces popping up and it is my hope that steinberg will release a TB interface. The UR series looks pretty good, but like the MR816, it does not have any midi I/O. I am mainly looking for 8 solid preamps at a working joe price and the MR/UR both provide that. I will hold out for a bit and see what they put put next.