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Audio Interface for all-in-one (headphones, speakers, mic)

Bl00dWolf

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Hey, everybody. :)

Please help me to choose, I want to upgrade my setup, but I'm not quite sure.
Right now I have: DAC DX3 Pro Plus with HiFiMan Edition XS.

I want to buy ADAM A7V monitors and Shure SM7B microphone.

The question is which audio interface should I buy for all three devices (headphones, monitors, microphone)?
I have chosen myself 4 options so far (but if there's a better suggestion, please tell me too):
1) Motu M2
2) Topping Professional E2x2
3) Zoom UAC-232
4) Apogee Boom
5) Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4Rd Gen

Will they be able to handle the above devices in terms of performance and sound quality?
Is the DX3 Pro Plus a better DAC for the HiFiMan Edition XS than any of these options (which are not pure DACs, but do include it)?
For example I looked - the DX3 Pro Plus gives 1800 milliwatts at 32 ohms. While the Zoom UAC-232 is only 100 mW at 63 ohms.
Or should I keep the DX3 PRO PLUS. Either way, which would be better for microphone SM7B and monitors ADAM A7V?

Many thanks in advance.
 
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1) Motu M2
Some concerns WRT recording with headphones: https://youtu.be/gMuA-2FbJxE?t=2536

3) Zoom UAC-232
12Ω output impedance, not ideal with 14Ω headphones.

4) Apogee Boom
Really bad crosstalk on headphone output (-43dB at 32Ω, likely even worse with the EDXS)

5) Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4Rd Gen
Abominable 50Ω output impedance, definitely not recommended.
 
Some concerns WRT recording with headphones: https://youtu.be/gMuA-2FbJxE?t=2536


12Ω output impedance, not ideal with 14Ω headphones.


Really bad crosstalk on headphone output (-43dB at 32Ω, likely even worse with the EDXS)


Abominable 50Ω output impedance, definitely not recommended.
The Motu has enough power for my 250 Ohm dt770 - but maybe check out these measurements from Julian Krause.
 

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The Motu has enough power for my 250 Ohm dt770 - but maybe check out these measurements from Julian Krause.
I checked, don't worry ^^

The concerns are not in regards to output power.
 
I checked, don't worry ^^

The concerns are not in regards to output power.
Ah, ok, but I thought the Motu was tested here and sound quality was good as well, no?

Edit: I see there's a distortion problem - I'll check the ASR test again then.
 
Some concerns WRT recording with headphones
wow! :eek: Yeah, that's not good, but I can avoid it if I will use DX3 PRO PLUS additionally for headphones xD
But either way, it's not a good thing.

12Ω output impedance, not ideal with 14Ω headphones.
But is it bad thou? :oops:
Really bad crosstalk on headphone output (-43dB at 32Ω, likely even worse with the EDXS)
Got it, yeah =( It doesn't have many inputs and outputs anyway. And it looks a little cheap.
Abominable 50Ω output impedance, definitely not recommended.
It's a shame, seemed like a good interface overall.

According to your opinion Topping Professional E2x2 is the most suitable, since nothing bad has been written about it yet :D
But judging by the tests on this forum - its DAC is worse than Motu M2.

Maybe some others not on the list that you could recommend? I'd be grateful.

Saw that the Audient ID44 MKII is pretty good.
But it looks terrible and has too much extra stuff in my case, costs more.
 
1) Motu M2
Limited mic gain, no expansion, no digital I/O, no external power options, complaints about quality.

2) Topping Professional E2x2
No confidence in this manufacturer. No safety certifications (with known history of failures with damage to connected equipment), dubious production quality, complaints about inadequate customer support, questions about driver quality. "Professional" only in Chinese sense of the word, cp. numerous disposable smartphones and cars with "Pro" in their model names (https://www.google.com/search?q=chery+tiggo+8+pro+max) that have nothing to do with any kind of professional work.

3) Zoom UAC-232
My experience with their products led me to avoid them whenever possible. Relatively stable drivers, but substandard technical quality (DC offset in mic inputs, irregularities in FR, high THD). Build quality can vary from good (in case of the UAC-2/TAC-2R) to cheap plastic (the UAC-232). High headphone output impedance, no digital I/O, no expansion options.

4) Apogee Boom
Looks not bad on paper, but only one mic preamp, questionable ergonomics, no external power options, no digital I/O. Otherwise looks like it could do the job.

5) Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4Rd Gen
The 4th gen of Scarletts is worse than the 3rd gen and has serious audio performance issues (see Julian Krause's reviews).

Get the RME Fireface UCX II and forget about upgrades unless you will need more channels. Later on you can add an ADI-2 Pro as a monitoring frontend.
 
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Hey, everybody. :)

Please help me to choose, I want to upgrade my setup, but I'm not quite sure.
Right now I have: DAC DX3 Pro Plus with HiFiMan Edition XS.

I want to buy ADAM A7V monitors and Shure SM7B condenser microphone.

The question is which audio interface should I buy for all three devices (headphones, monitors, microphone)?
I have chosen myself 4 options so far (but if there's a better suggestion, please tell me too):
1) Motu M2
2) Topping Professional E2x2
3) Zoom UAC-232
4) Apogee Boom
5) Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4Rd Gen

Will they be able to handle the above devices in terms of performance and sound quality?
Is the DX3 Pro Plus a better DAC for the HiFiMan Edition XS than any of these options (which are not pure DACs, but do include it)?
For example I looked - the DX3 Pro Plus gives 1800 milliwatts at 32 ohms. While the Zoom UAC-232 is only 100 mW at 63 ohms.
Or should I keep the DX3 PRO PLUS. Either way, which would be better for microphone SM7B and monitors ADAM A7V?

Many thanks in advance.
If you don't have any experience with an audio interface, I would advise you to keep your DX3 Pro Plus and buy a cheap Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Gen 3. Should cost around €100 new/used.

This is a tried and tested device with little loss of value and you can use it as a microphone amplifier or more.
Then you can see for yourself whether that is sufficient for you or whether you want/need something else.
Get XLR cables for the monitors, then you only need two cheap XLR/RCA adapters to use it with the DX3 Pro Plus.
 
Limited mic gain, no expansion, no digital I/O, no external power options, complaints about quality.


No confidence in this manufacturer. No safety certifications (with known history of failures with damage to connected equipment), dubious production quality, complaints about inadequate customer support, questions about driver quality. "Professional" only in Chinese sense of the word, cp. numerous disposable smartphones and cars with "Pro" in their model names (https://www.google.com/search?q=chery+tiggo+8+pro+max) that have nothing to do with any kind of professional work.


My experience with their products led me to avoid them whenever possible. Relatively stable drivers, but substandard technical quality (DC offset in mic inputs, irregularities in FR, high THD). Build quality can vary from good (in case of the UAC-2/TAC-2R) to cheap plastic (the UAC-232). High headphone output impedance, no digital I/O, no expansion options.


Looks not bad on paper, but only one mic preamp, questionable ergonomics, no external power options, no digital I/O. Otherwise looks like it could do the job.


The 4th gen of Scarletts is worse than the 3rd gen and has serious audio performance issues (see Julian Krause's reviews).

Get the RME Fireface UCX II and forget about upgrades unless you will need more channels. Later on you can add an ADI-2 Pro as a monitoring frontend.
Kind of blowing the budget of the OPs possible original choices.

Very few affordable interfaces have powerful headphone outputs. I'd keep the gear the OP has and add an interface without spending too much. While there are genuine complaints about various affordable interfaces, for most purposes they are fine for audible fidelity. Of those listed I'd probably go with either the Motu or Topping. I think Roland68's suggestion makes the most sense.
 
No confidence in this manufacturer. No safety certifications (with known history of failures with damage to connected equipment), dubious production quality, complaints about inadequate customer support, questions about driver quality. "Professional" only in Chinese sense of the word, cp. numerous disposable smartphones and cars with "Pro" in their model names (https://www.google.com/search?q=chery+tiggo+8+pro+max) that have nothing to do with any kind of professional work.
Cars do suck. But not all of them, by the way, HAVAL uses a WAG engine and gearbox.

It's debatable about Topping. Some products may be, but in general I like what they produce so far.
They make mistakes, but not the biggest ones in terms of audio imho.
Get the RME Fireface UCX II and forget about upgrades unless you will need more channels. Later on you can add an ADI-2 Pro as a monitoring frontend.
It's too much. Costs a lot, very large, again the headphone output is not that much better.
But thanks for your opinion :D
If you don't have any experience with an audio interface, I would advise you to keep your DX3 Pro Plus and buy a cheap Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Gen 3. Should cost around €100 new/used.

This is a tried and tested device with little loss of value and you can use it as a microphone amplifier or more.
Then you can see for yourself whether that is sufficient for you or whether you want/need something else.
Get XLR cables for the monitors, then you only need two cheap XLR/RCA adapters to use it with the DX3 Pro Plus.
Yes, sounds reasonable.

The only thing is that there is no point in buying RCA -> XLR i think, it won't become balanced anyway. :D
And A7V has both RCA and XLR. I don't know yet how much difference between RCA and XLR will be within 1.5 - 2 meters of cable. But of course in general it is better to have something with XLR (or TRS).

Very few affordable interfaces have powerful headphone outputs. I'd keep the gear the OP has and add an interface without spending too much. While there are genuine complaints about various affordable interfaces, for most purposes they are fine for audible fidelity. Of those listed I'd probably go with either the Motu or Topping. I think Roland68's suggestion makes the most sense.
Thanks for the advice.
 
Cars do suck. But not all of them, by the way, HAVAL uses a WAG engine and gearbox.

It's debatable about Topping. Some products may be, but in general I like what they produce so far.
They make mistakes, but not the biggest ones in terms of audio imho.

It's too much. Costs a lot, very large, again the headphone output is not that much better.
But thanks for your opinion :D

Yes, sounds reasonable.

The only thing is that there is no point in buying RCA -> XLR i think, it won't become balanced anyway. :D
And A7V has both RCA and XLR. I don't know yet how much difference between RCA and XLR will be within 1.5 - 2 meters of cable. But of course in general it is better to have something with XLR (or TRS).


Thanks for the advice.
I would generally use XLR cables as long as at least one device has an XLR connection, such as the monitor you have chosen.
More interference-free and more universal. It is the connector with the best contact and can therefore be adapted easily and cheaply. But you cannot make an XLR cable out of an RCA cable.

You can get XLR to RCA or TRS adapters for €5-10 per pair. If you don't need them, it might be good to have some in the drawer.
Adam Hall cables (or others) cost €5-10 each, don't buy too short and make sure you have the right plugs (male/female). It would be a shame to waste money on RCA cables.
 
Maybe some others not on the list that you could recommend? I'd be grateful.

Saw that the Audient ID44 MKII is pretty good.
But it looks terrible and has too much extra stuff in my case, costs more.
What about the basic iD4 MkII then? Should be well within your budget. Output impedance may be a bit so-so but there's still a decent amount of power available, and the output clearly isn't particularly bothered by low-impedance loading (the difference between the amplifier seeing 22 + 32 = 54 ohms in Julian's testing or 22 + 14 = 38 ohms shouldn't be night and day). The Edition XS is a planar so basically a purely resistive load, so the usual concerns about altering the frequency response do not apply.
 
What about the basic iD4 MkII then? Should be well within your budget. Output impedance may be a bit so-so but there's still a decent amount of power available, and the output clearly isn't particularly bothered by low-impedance loading (the difference between the amplifier seeing 22 + 32 = 54 ohms in Julian's testing or 22 + 14 = 38 ohms shouldn't be night and day). The Edition XS is a planar so basically a purely resistive load, so the usual concerns about altering the frequency response do not apply.
The iD4 MkII is not as good as the Topping E2x2 as I know from looking at the tests.

So in the end I decided to buy the A7V x 2 and the Topping E2x2.
Everything will be delivered after the holidays =)

After that, I'll buy a microphone as well.

Thanks for your help.
 
Hello again. =)

Things have changed a bit:
I decided to change from dx3 pro plus to dx7 pro plus, already done that.
And decided to take, as I wrote, Topping E2x2 for the microphone.

Could you please advise me which type of connection would be the most correct?
Both devices via USB to PC?
Audio interface to PC via USB, DAC to audio interface in some other way?
0_o

Also I decided to try to borrow a guitar from my father, with TRS output, as I understand and connect it to E2x2.
Will I be able to listen to it through studio monitors or headphones connected to DX7?
Will there be a delay when listening?

Thanks in advance.
 
If you want to use DX7 as an external DAC/HP amp for E2x2 without a delay, you may use the optical out of E2x2 to feed it to DX7.

You can connect the DX7 to your PC at the same time and directly listen to PC contents with DX7's input selector.

By the way, Topping E2x2 is really nice for its ADC performance. Recently I have extensively researched current audio interface offerings for inexpensive 2-channel input devices. And came to the conclusion that the Topping E2x2 and Solid State Logic SSL 2 MKII are the answer---though SSL is not for you as it has no optical out. I am pretty sure that both are the only two audio interfaces under $300 on the market that adopt ESS's rather recent ES9821Q ADC chip. The performance of Audient ID14 MKII is not bad but at the current price there's no reason to consider it against the Topping and SSL.

EDIT: Found that only the OTG model of E2x2 has an optical out.
 
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Oh by the way, E2x2 supports direct monitoring. It means no AD and DA conversion so zero latency. If you use my suggested method there should be some latency although it must be lower than the case of usb connection of both devices to PC..
 
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