Protools 002 vs mbox vs 003?

[tomfarnan]

I've been running an mbox mini (1 mic preamp) and have found a 002 on ebay that would add some useful inputs to my home recording stuff. I've heard that the preamps are not as clear as the 003 but would they be at least equivalent to my mbox?

[woodman]

if you need the extra channels (i.e. record more than one track at a time), the 002 would help that cause, but it's a matter of how good a deal you can get on it. the 003 is of course a generation better, but if it was me, i'd work toward getting a better preamp and running it through the line of either the 002 or 003 (bypassing the pre's in the interface). but i'm no expert, and the guys around here who are can probably give you more definitive advice.

[Big John]

I feel like stoneage man here, i'm using MOTU's Digital Performer with an original Mbox and it works a treat, for me a t home it's perfect quality wise if a little 'behind the times' flexibilit wise.

tomfarnan, i reckon any ProTools Mbox combo will sound great, it's just the routing and features you have to decide on.