Audio interface for mac

Hi guys, I have a mac pro 3.1 which i have used happily for many years with a motu 828mkII.
Sadly my interface is nearing the end of its life so i'm looking for a replacement.
I've been happy with the recordings made with the motu, but some of the minuscule knobs and switches
have been a constant irritant. I've been looking at Focusrite interfaces, both usb and firewire. Anyone have experience
of these babies?  Does anyone know if the usb models would work with a mac as old as mine or would i be wiser to stick with firewire?
Any advice or suggestions for alternatives gratefully recieved.
Ta Muchly

Ok.
I installed the firewire solo and the latest driver for the firewire solo (10.4.6 intel - I have 10.4.7 intel but there are no drivers out there for that. This may be the problem... dunno)
I the went to audio prefs for my mac (not GB). Selected Firewire Solo as the audio input.
Output is listed as Line out output. I haven't ever changed this.
When I test the audio input plucking my guitar, it is picked up on the little sound meter.
When I sing (open air) nothing is picked up, which leads me to believe that the signal actually is the firewire solo and not the macs built in mic.
I open GB3
I open an existing project that has only g piano listed.
I add a real instrument track.
I select guitar>no effects.
my details on this track are as follows:
Input: 1 & 2 (stereo) - could this be the problem? Not sure, but I think I've checked them all.
Volume at mid
monitor on
all other volume settings are on mid... guitar (has volume knob), GB main volume, comp speaker, all mid. Maybe I'm missing a volume level?
check GB prefs - audio settings> audio output = built in output, Input = Firewire Solo.
No other settings have been modified.
Plucking guitar. GB is picking up nothing..... nadda. No static, no indicator lights.. nothing.
I am only assuming that if the mac picks up the signal but GB does not means that the FW solo is working as it should and that there might be a GB setting somewhere I've missed.
Whew.... ok.. does that help out all?
Thanks everyone!!!!
J

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