SlatsYou got it. This particular model line has been around for almost a decade. I still have my original Firepod, which I I think cost around $500 around 2008. This isn't close to Presonus's current offerings, more specifically the AudioBox 1818VSL. I still like my newer StudioLive, but Firewire is dead. It has been dead for 3 years already, the closest you can get to it is using a Thunderbolt>Firewire adapter on Macbook, or a PC tower with a PCI card.
KoskoI've heard of problems with the 1818VSL. Either way, I would rather stick with FireWire than a USB 2 interface or one that has been known to have problems with USB 3.
If you're going to get something more current, go for a Thunderbolt Interface.