Home Studio Audio Interface Recommendations?

[Antique_Musician]

Hi ASR, long time lurker first time poster here. I'm in a bit of analysis paralysis when it comes to picking the right audio interface for me. I've got about a $300 budget to spend on a new interface and looking for something that'll last me at least a few years. Things I'm looking for in this interface include:

- Meters
- Strong built in headphone amp
- Power button
- Windows/Mac cross compatible
- Phantom power
- Single power connector

My use case involves mostly live streaming and content creation with a lot of audio consumption as I'm working throughout the day. I only have access to headphones at the moment, so a strong built in amp would be nice. Options I've seen for my use case include:

- MOTU M2/M4
- SSL2+ MK II
- Presonus Quantum ES 2 (not thrilled about 2 power cables)
- Topping E2x2 OTG (not thrilled about 2 power cables)

Thanks a bunch for your help.

 

[staticV3]

Hi @Antique_Musician! Welcome to ASR.

Have you checked out @Julian Krause's YouTube channel yet?

He posts excellent, in-depth reviews of audio interfaces, outlining both the UX and the technical performance.

Btw, here's what Topping say about powering the E2x2 OTG:


So a dedicated power supply is only required if your PC cannot supply enough current via USB.

That's true for every interface though, at least the Topping gives you options.

 

[Antique_Musician]

Hi @staticV3, thanks for the warm welcome. I have checked out Julian's videos and they have been very helpful.

I did not know about that tidbit regarding powering the Topping. Seems like one of the newer interfaces out on the market as of recently. Do you have any experience with the interface or Topping products in general? I recall Julian mentioning in his video the input gain pots having some noise to them, and worry a little about QC issues.

 

[staticV3]

Unfortunately, I have not used one of Topping's interfaces yet.

 

[markstein]

RME Babyface Pro FS?

It has no power button, but otherwise...

 

[Antique_Musician]

RME Babyface Pro FS?

It has no power button, but otherwise...

Thanks for the reply, @markstein. Would hands down go with the RME Babyface if I had the budget for it, unfortunately too deep for my pockets atm.

 

[markstein]

Okay, sorry, did not see your budget...

I had both a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 and an Audient id4. Liked the Audient much more from an operational/tactile point of view. The headphone amp is not very capable on both devices...

I think it will be difficult to find a device checking all boxes for 300 dollars. Maybe some used pro equipment?

 

[Blumlein 88]

There are good choices if you nix the headphone requirements. Maybe a JDS dedicated phone amp plus an interface. Of course that eats into the interface budget. You could feed the interface headphone output into the JDS so you don't lose any outputs if you need them. The JDS also has RCA outputs for what it is fed.

The JDS is $99 for the Atom+ amp. It has about 1 watt of power at 33 ohms and 248 mw at 300 ohms and should be fine for almost any headphone. That either leaves you $200 for an interface.

Atom Amp+ _ Shop JDS LABS

Conceived as the next-generation replacement to Objective2, Atom builds on more than a decade of amplifier design evolution at JDS Labs. Atom Amp+ tops the award winning Atom Amp with hand matched potentiometers and even higher performance, and comes fully loaded with a smooth 1/4" headphone...

jdslabs.com

It was reviewed and tested here:

JDS Atom Amp+ Review (Headphone Amplifier)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the JDS Labs Atom Amp+ headphone amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $99. It was announced today. The Amp+ follows the same recent industrial design in JDS amps and dacs: It is light but functional. Dual gains are provided...

www.audiosciencereview.com