Comparing Entry-Level Audio Interfaces (Topping, Audient, Motu, SSL)

[Centuari]

I'm in the market for an audio interface and after reading too many reviews the standouts in the $200ish range seem to be:

Topping Professional E2x2
SSL 2 MK II
Audient iD4 Mk2
Motu M2

They've all got their pluses and minuses, measure pretty well according to Julian Krause, and float around a similar price point. I'd love to hear from people who have direct experience with the interfaces, particularly on the listening to music side.

 

[DWPress]

I've only experience with the Motu gear but if you're going to use it for music MAKING then I'd suggest you look hard at the software side of the offerings as well as whatever I/O is convenient for your needs. Not sure the Topping UI is as developed as the others but sure is handsome.

 

[Centuari]

I think the Topping is probably a rule out based on some questions about reliability, but I was hopeful!

 

[AlfaNovember]

I bought a MOTU M4, plugged it into a raspberry pi, spent an afternoon configuring CamillaDSP as a crossover, and then haven't touched it in three years. It's been playing music 7 hours a day since.

The only very, very minor complaint is that mine is a 4 channel, the big knob on the front is hardwired to only adjust channels 1 & 2. For my purposes, that's not useful, so there's a piece of tape to hold it fixed. Not a problem and not an issue if you're doing 2 channels

 

[DWPress]

Last I checked the MK5 could do volume control over multiple channels.

Oh - and welcome to ASR @Centuari !

 

[Centuari]

Appreciate you guys thanks. After digging some more I'm between the SSL 2 MK II and the Audient iD14.

 

[Blumlein 88]

In this price range you've singled out all the better choices. There isn't a huge difference in performance in general here. It is more about specifics of your needs and the software. Like do you need a powerful headphone amp? Do you dig the look of the device? (I really like the look of the SSL here, the Audient would be my second choice). Do you need it to be bus powered or not? Those kind of things.

Maybe this isn't helping narrow it down, but you might look at the Lewitt device and the newer Presonus Quantum interfaces.

 

[Centuari]

In this price range you've singled out all the better choices. There isn't a huge difference in performance in general here. It is more about specifics of your needs and the software. Like do you need a powerful headphone amp? Do you dig the look of the device? (I really like the look of the SSL here, the Audient would be my second choice). Do you need it to be bus powered or not? Those kind of things.

Maybe this isn't helping narrow it down, but you might look at the Lewitt device and the newer Presonus Quantum interfaces.

Appreciate this, it's been helpful to get a general "yeah these don't suck, so it's mostly up to preference/specific features."

 

[Blumlein 88]

Also, a very difficult thing to determine until after you own something, but the user interface software is critical. I have an RME Babyface. Very nice hardware, very capable, very well made, and RME supports the software side better and longer than anyone in the business. However, I hate, let me repeat HATE the TotalMix software. It is powerful and configurable, but I think the UI designer should be banned from ever doing work on UI for anything, anywhere, ever again for the general good of humanity. I'm not alone in that opinion.

I regularly get on the verge of writing the whole brand off and selling it because I hate TotalMix so much.

As a counterpoint, I have an Antelope Audio device. Hardware is good and I like the physical layout. There is maybe no one with a rep, a deserved rep they earned, of supporting their software so poorly. Glitchy iffy aggravating software updates. However, when it is working the UI of their software is wonderful and my favorite to use.

 

[joqueval]

I currently use an SSL2+ and am very happy with the results. I also have NI Komplete Audio 6 MK I & II interfaces.
I appreciate an improvement over the NI ones.
The Motu M4 is a very interesting option depending on your needs.