Best performing Minimalistic Audio Interface under 200$?

[Pawlakbest]

Hello

My current setup: Topping DX1 -> Hifiman Edition XS, Fifine K669b (USB Mic)

Planned Setup: Audio Interface -> Hifiman Edition XS + XLR Microphone (under 200$)

My goal: Minimalistic USB only powered Interface with just inputs/outputs for 1 Headphones and 1 XLR Mic, the less of additional I/O or knobs the better

My priorities: enough power for Hifiman Edition XS (currently listening with Topping DX1 at 1/3 of the knob, Low gain, 100% in Windows), low latency, the more transparent sound the better(I like the sound of XS and DX1 is pretty transparent). No need for software, just want to plug it to PC, set volume for Headphones and Mic and never tough it again. No need for audio monitoring or mixing. Mostly I need good audio quality for my headphones, as DX1 was good for them, and now that I wanted to change for good quality mic, seems that XLR, not USB, is a way to go, so I need good 2in1 device for both.

My top picks(found them on my own, don't know much about them, feel free to add others):

• Elgato WaveXLR
• Rode Ai-1
• Arturia Minifuse 1
• Mackie Onyx Artist 1x2

Other finds that to me have too many I/Os or knobs, but if quality is much better I will consider them:

• RCF TRK PRO1
• M-Audio AIR 192|4
• Audient EVO 4
• PreSonus AudioBox Go 2x2
• Audient iD4 MKII
• Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen(I see a lot of recommendation for it, but too many I/Os, and 4th Gen seems to have even more, but performance seems to be worse?)

I also found other post here that suggested Topping E1x2, but it has external power and usb, I would prefer usb only powered as DX1 was enough to power my XS, so maybe I can aslo find good enough audio interface?

Which of these would be best?

Thank you for reading and helping

Edit:
Also found this list and it does seem that Topping E2x2 has the best measurements, I wonder if E1x2 has the same measurements? If yes then even with external power, this seems like my top pick as of now. Although MOTU M2 and Lewitt CONNECT 2 also seems good enough. I was planning to Lewitt put it on my list, but it seemed too big for my desk.

 

[staticV3]

I also found other post here that suggested Topping E1x2, but it has external power and usb, I would prefer usb only powered as DX1 was enough to power my XS, so maybe I can aslo find good enough audio interface?

The exteral power is optional. Only there in case your USB host cannot supply enough current.

For headphone performance, see Julian Krause's spreadsheet:

Source

The E1x2 and E2x2 have identical headphone output.

 

[ZolaIII]

Try with MOTU and Tooping offerings.

 

[EERecordist]

The Universal Audio Volt 1 is one to look at.

 

[Pawlakbest]

The exteral power is optional. Only there in case your USB host cannot supply enough current.

Then it's probably my best bet, since it's also almost half the price of MOTU M2 in my country.

 

[DVDdoug]

I also found other post here that suggested Topping E1x2, but it has external power and usb,

There is a potential advantage to that. USB power is notoriously noisy and sometimes the noise leaks into the mic preamps where it gets amplified. (It's usually a high-pitch "whine".) Then you don't know whether to blame the computer for having extra-noisy power or the interface for being poorly filtered.

One feature I'd look for is direct-hardware zero-latency monitoring, where the monitoring doesn't go through the computer, but you said you don't care about monitoring.

And it's "nice" to have extra mic inputs in case you ever need them. If you only have one input you can't record in stereo, etc.

Also note that most interfaces are "optimized" for condenser mics which typically have 20dB more output than dynamic mics. With a dynamic mic you may not have quite enough gain. A lot of people using dynamic mics add a Cloudlifter or FedHead booster to get a stronger signal. It seems like you see a Shure SM7B in almost every podcast but they are low-output dynamic mics so they may be using a mixer or interface with higher gain or they've added a booster.

 

[Pawlakbest]

There is a potential advantage to that. USB power is notoriously noisy and sometimes the noise leaks into the mic preamps where it gets amplified. (It's usually a high-pitch "whine".) Then you don't know whether to blame the computer for having extra-noisy power or the interface for being poorly filtered.

One feature I'd look for is direct-hardware zero-latency monitoring, where the monitoring doesn't go through the computer, but you said you don't care about monitoring.

And it's "nice" to have extra mic inputs in case you ever need them. If you only have one input you can't record in stereo, etc.

Also note that most interfaces are "optimized" for condenser mics which typically have 20dB more output than dynamic mics. With a dynamic mic you may not have quite enough gain. A lot of people using dynamic mics add a Cloudlifter or FedHead booster to get a stronger signal. It seems like you see a Shure SM7B in almost every podcast but they are low-output dynamic mics so they may be using a mixer or interface with higher gain or they've added a booster.

I haven't looked too much into microphones yet, but I was mostly considering 3:

• Elgato Wave:3
• Rode PodMic
• Audio-Technica AT2020

 

[RPoitou]

Steinberg IXO12

IXO12USB Audio Interface

The two input, two output IXO12 audio interface is a lightweight, ultra-portable production platform for iPhone, iPad, Windows and Mac computers, which lets you record music, podcasts, location recordings and much more in studio quality.

www.steinberg.net

 

[AnalogSteph]

There is a potential advantage to that. USB power is notoriously noisy and sometimes the noise leaks into the mic preamps where it gets amplified. (It's usually a high-pitch "whine".) Then you don't know whether to blame the computer for having extra-noisy power or the interface for being poorly filtered.

Not having the interface's supply currents running back over the USB cable to the computer can also quieten things down quite a bit when you've got a ground loop problem and said USB cable effectively becomes part of the signal path.

haven't looked too much into microphones yet, but I was mostly considering 3:

• Elgato Wave:3
• Rode PodMic
• Audio-Technica AT2020

In other words, you have little more than the foggiest clue what you need at this point. The Wave:3 doesn't even need an audio interface since it has USB output, the PodMic is one of those small end address podcasting dynamics around the $100 mark that sound alright but aren't exciting sonically, and the AT2020 is a popular entry-level side-address condenser at the same price point that always seems to sound a bit thin on the bottom end.
If mounting and acoustics will support a traditional condenser 10-20 cm from your mouth, I would rather advise stepping it up to Rode NT1 or AT2035, which are much better-sounding mics for not that much more money, and even at the same price you can quite arguably do better (maybe sE X1A or something). I wouldn't bother with a pop screen, stupid thing only gets in the way - place the mic somewhat off-axis instead, rotated so that it still faces your mouth but is out of the way of plosives. A well-working shockmount is reasonably important though, otherwise mics with actual deep bass response can be hard to live with. Having a switchable highpass somewhere in the signal path may be appreciated quite a bit when all you want to do is record some speech without capturing the rumble from traffic outdoors or whatnot.

 

[Pawlakbest]

After reading some more reviews and comparing charts/specs, I decided to go with Topping E1x2, especially since external power is not required, as it seems to be the best price/performance interface there is for my needs. Kinda like DX1 was, when I was searching for it.

Thank you all for suggestions and help.