firewire chip in R500 Ricoh vs TI

[PRAGUEGUY]

Hi, Merry Xmas to all,

I am going to buy a discounted Fire Wire Solo M audio soundcard.


http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/FireWireSolo.html

The knowledgebase of Maudio warns that only Texas Instruments FireWire chips are the best, and it lists the /cheaper/ Ricoh chip as a potential cause of problems when using their products via fire wire
- I will see if these problems do occur
Question?
- any idea, if this chip can be changed into a Texas Instruments one? I see in the hardware manual it can be physically replaced, but I wonder if there exists one that physically fits into the same place, by Texas instruments

- Alternatively, would it make sense to get an Express Card or PCMCIA card with a TI chip? any idea which may be the best interface to use? I can see two Kowell cards, the one with Express card is more expensive...is it a better interface?
http://www.alza.cz/firewire-radic-kouwe ... d68594.htm

thanx