Focusrite Scarlett 16i16 (4th Gen) Self-Measurements

[SMJH]

For anyone that read the 4th Gen 2i2 Review and is curious about how the upper-end of this generation fares, especially when it comes to output volume peculiarities, given 16i16 and up all use a digital volume control instead of analog: Here are my own 16i16 measurements. I simply downloaded and used Multitone Analyzer on the spot, with no prior experience, so please, if you find something odd, do let me know and I'll rectify it.

SETUP

• Output: Monitor '1', Corresponds to main monitor output, left channel for this interface. Volume was maxed unless specified.
• Input: Line level '3', Corresponds to the first line level input (no mic pre) for this interface. Volume was maxed.
• Sample Rate: 48Khz In + Out
• FFT: 1M on all tests except last two (because I forgot! But it doesn't matter much anyway for those)
• Preset modifications: None outside of sample rate, wait period and FFT.
• Chart Units: I ran 1 test then calibrated Volts(ms) FS to '4' and did not touch it since, I'm not sure why I did that to be fair. This is why the leftmost panel reads '2.2468'.

NOTES

• I tried almost all IO to check if they have similar performance, and they do, apart from the inputs with preamps obviously. I can share measurements for those if you wish.
• I also tried multitone and 1Khz distortion tests at 44.1, 176.4 and 192 Khz, and found no difference compared to 48Khz, which is good. This also means whatever Focusrite Control 2 software is doing in regards to its 'Mixer' functionality is completely transparent. For those unaware, the always-on mixer included in the driver only works with sample rates at or below 96Khz.

DATA

Preset: 1Khz Distortion Panel

Preset: IMD CCIF 19k + 20k

Preset: IMD DIN 250Hz + 8Khz

Preset: IMD SMPTE 60Hz + 7Khz

Preset: Jitter J-Test24

Preset: Multitone 32

Preset: Multitone 500

Preset: 1Khz Distortion Panel
at -60dB output volume (from the interface output volume knob)

at -25dB output volume (from the interface output volume knob)

Apart from the obviously lowered SNR, I do not see an increase in harmonic distortion on the 16i16. If you've got a better way to test for it, please share it with me, and I'll re-measure!

 

[SMJH]

You can find the discussion regarding digital volume control for 4th gen interfaces here.

 

[SMJH]

Impulse responses at various sample rates. I understand they are largely irrelevant for bandlimited content (i.e. pretty much everything) not to mention the smoothing that happens later on in speakers or headphones...

Tube preamp impulse response, for no reason other than to geek out. (DIY, 12AU7, SS Rectifier, placed inline in the loopback)

Zoomed 192Khz comparison. It just puts a blanket on it.

 

[jamescarter1982]

so the sinad would be at 111db if we took the more conservative of those measurements is that correct? seems pretty good

 

[SMJH]

so the sinad would be at 111db if we took the more conservative of those measurements is that correct? seems pretty good

~108 to ~111 dB thereabouts

It's been a hot minute since acquiring it so I can also comment on the software experience and reliability, which have been great as well.
Both for audiophile tinkering and music production use.

For example, I'm routing 'playback' sources (which show up on Windows output device list) to different hardware outputs. This effectively makes Windows treat my monitors and headphones as separate devices, which in turn lets me apply individual correction curves to them via EQ APO.

And how you can effectively use line-ins and line-outs as an FX loop, like I did for adding tube preamp, routed to 'alt' monitoring button so I can switch it on and off quickly.

 

[jamescarter1982]

ok thats interesting thanks . im using element to host some pluggins for crossover frequencies and eq . im using spotify on a macbook pro to optical out . into a moto 828usb and then back into element through usb for crossover ,eq then out through usb to the moto then off to amps . my mac book and interface are older and drop the connection quite regularly. could you this device being able to do something like this ?

 

[SMJH]

im using spotify on a macbook pro to optical out . into a moto 828usb and then back into element through usb for crossover ,eq then out through usb to the moto then off to amps .

Sounds overly complicated connections-wise. I'm not sure to be honest.
I'll check Optical In -> USB I/O -> Analog Out tomorrow, I've never tried that.
Can you explain why not do
Spotify With System-wide DSP -> USB to Motu -> Analog Out to amps?

 

[jamescarter1982]

thankyou very much . purely because kushviews element is the only way i could get a digital crossover to work lol I struggled for ages with equaliser apo and loads of other ones on windows and couldn't get the hang of it . wouldn't consider myself completely useless with computers but maybe I am .
the simplified way you describe would definitely be better for me then I could get a more modern macbook as they did away with the optical output a while ago

 

[vviktor1978]

Hello! Happy New Year!

I would like to know if this device can do the following? 16i16 (4th gen.)

1. I input a stereo signal via an analog line input (cd player) and it transmits the sound via any digital output?
2. Can I input sound via any digital input (cd player) and can it be transmitted via a line output? Or can it be transmitted via one of the digital outputs?
3. Can I connect a digital preamplifier to the coax input and output and measure it?
Questyle CMA Twelve. This would be the device and it is digital. Unfortunately, it does not have an analog input. I would measure it out of curiosity. Of course, I would not buy an expensive 16i16 just for that reason.

Basically, I would like to measure CD players through their analog output. I have original measurement plates for this. So I can input sound and signals. The computer would be a Mac Mini M1 with 16GB of ram. If necessary, Win 11 is also installed as a virtual machine. It also works well and stably on the Mac.
Of course, it is important to watch and monitor all this on the computer through a measurement program.

Basically, I needed an audio interface and I found the Focusrite Scarlett family. They sold a huge number of them. It can't be bad. The starting device is a 2i2 3rd gen. Regarding later usability, I reached the 16i16. Digital inputs and outputs!

Does this work? Is it worth investing in the 16i16 (4th) or the 2i2 (3rd)? I don't want the new version.

 

[SMJH]

Hello! Happy New Year!

I would like to know if this device can do the following? 16i16 (4th gen.)

1. Yes
2. Yes & Yes
3. Could you rephrase it? I did not understand.

Here are screenshots of the Focusrite Control 2 software for gen 4 interfaces. Maybe you will find those useful...

 

[SMJH]

thankyou very much . purely because kushviews element is the only way i could get a digital crossover to work lol I struggled for ages with equaliser apo and loads of other ones on windows and couldn't get the hang of it . wouldn't consider myself completely useless with computers but maybe I am .
the simplified way you describe would definitely be better for me then I could get a more modern macbook as they did away with the optical output a while ago

I could not test Optical
My TOSLINK cable is so old it stopped working, sorry.

 

[vviktor1978]

1. Yes
2. Yes & Yes
3. Could you rephrase it? I did not understand.

Here are screenshots of the Focusrite Control 2 software for gen 4 interfaces. Maybe you will find those useful...

Thanks!

So, if points 1 and 2 work, then point 3 is actually unnecessary.
Don't you understand 3.? This is a DAC/preamp/headphone amplifier and only has a digital input. It also has an S/PDIF output, which is digital. Maybe by connecting these to the 16i16, you could also measure the device, the Questyle, on a fully digital line. The device also has fixed or adjustable analog RCA and XLR outputs, so you can mix them. But this is really just a curiosity, because this device is professional. There is no need to measure it, it is excellent!

However, I have a CD player with an S/PDIF output that I would connect to the 16i16. I could monitor it on the machine and the 16i16 would go to the Questyle via the S/PDIF output.

The 16i16 may be useful in the future for servicing CD players. What is your opinion about the device?

 

[SMJH]

The 16i16 may be useful in the future for servicing CD players. What is your opinion about the device?

I like it a lot. I don't have to think about upgrading to something bigger with more Inputs and Outputs, even if I'm not using all of them at the moment, they will come in handy in the future.
I have nothing bad to day about this device. Maybe the headphone preamp could be stronger, but that's it.

 

[vviktor1978]

I like it a lot. I don't have to think about upgrading to something bigger with more Inputs and Outputs, even if I'm not using all of them at the moment, they will come in handy in the future.
I have nothing bad to day about this device. Maybe the headphone preamp could be stronger, but that's it.

This sounds good!

I would also like to ask quickly what kind of converter do I need? CD players have RCA connectors. The 16i16 has Jack connectors. Do I need the JACK 6.35mm TS (mono) to RCA female converter?

Is TS also good for the line output or do I need TRS anyway? I have a power amp that has a balanced XLR input and a plain RCA input.

I haven't paid much attention to jack connectors! TS (mono) = unbalanced, and TRS (stereo) = balanced?

 

[SMJH]

This sounds good!

I would also like to ask quickly what kind of converter do I need? CD players have RCA connectors. The 16i16 has Jack connectors. Do I need the JACK 6.35mm TS (mono) to RCA female converter?

Is TS also good for the line output or do I need TRS anyway? I have a power amp that has a balanced XLR input and a plain RCA input.

I haven't paid much attention to jack connectors! TS (mono) = unbalanced, and TRS (stereo) = balanced?

Yes this works. It also works for the balanced interface output if you want to go to unbalanced amp.

 

[jamescarter1982]

I could not test Optical
My TOSLINK cable is so old it stopped working, sorry.

no problem thankyou for trying . really appreciate it !

 

[Pow1]

I have a question regarding the 16i6:

I see there is a function to switch between 2 sets of stereo speakers. L+R for outputs 1 and 2, and another L+R for outputs 3 and 4. Is it possible to use all 4 outputs simultaneously? So L on outputs 1 and 3, and R on outputs 2 and 4.

Are you able to route the optical input to one of the outputs? Or is it mainly as a digital input for capturing using the host device?

Also, is the volume knob able to control the volume of the optical output?

 

[SMJH]

I have a question regarding the 16i6:

I see there is a function to switch between 2 sets of stereo speakers. L+R for outputs 1 and 2, and another L+R for outputs 3 and 4. Is it possible to use all 4 outputs simultaneously? So L on outputs 1 and 3, and R on outputs 2 and 4.

Are you able to route the optical input to one of the outputs? Or is it mainly as a digital input for capturing using the host device?

Also, is the volume knob able to control the volume of the optical output?

Yes, it is possible to use all analog outputs simultaneously. You can add outputs to both 'Main' and 'Alt' monitor groups. Here I am clicking the Edit button to do so.

And you are indeed capable of routing any input (or mix if you want) to any output.
The volume knob controls the 'Main' and 'Alt' outputs, so you can assign the optical (S/PDIF 1-2) input to those outputs, and the knob will control that volume.

L on outputs 1 and 3, and R on outputs 2 and 4. Here's how.

Optical input to one of the outputs, like so.

You can also unlink the L-R channels

And do wild things like per-channel sources

 

[Miercoles2022]

I could not test Optical
My TOSLINK cable is so old it stopped working, sorry.

Focusrite's optical inputs seem to be ADAT only, not SPDIF. I could not get my 16i16 to accept SPDIF optical input no matter what settings I selected in the control software.
I thought my TV's optical out was broken, but when I switched to a different DAC, it was fine.

 

[SMJH]

Focusrite's optical inputs seem to be ADAT only, not SPDIF. I could not get my 16i16 to accept SPDIF optical input no matter what settings I selected in the control software.
I thought my TV's optical out was broken, but when I switched to a different DAC, it was fine.