List of USB interfaces with 2 CH ADC and 4 CH DAC, all balanced

[charlielaub]

I thought I would start this thread to get input from forum users and create a list of USB audio interfaces that match the following criteria:

• 2 balanced analog input channels (via TRS or combi jacks)
• at least 4 balanced analog output channels (via TRS or combi jacks)
• analog output level of at least 4V (12dBV, 14.25 dBu)
• USB interfaces only

I use these interfaces to provide audio input/output to a computer that runs DSP in software, typically to create a loudspeaker crossover. YMMV.

Noise floor, distortion, etc. all matter too so these will be noted an when possible links to measurements or reviews will be provided as time permits.


Here are a few examples with prices in Euros as of May 2025, sorted by increasing price point:

---

Arturia MiniFuse 4 €200 (outputs spec'd at 12dBu max)
Tascam US-4x4HR €212
Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 €250
Topping E4x4 €260
Steinberg UR44C €300
MOTU M4 €300
iConnectivity Audio4c €375 (outputs spec'd at 13dBu max)
Focusrite Clarett+ 2Pre €375


Please post your own suggestions and if possible include a link to any measurements that are available.

 

[Roland68]

I thought I would start this thread to get input from forum users and create a list of USB audio interfaces that match the following criteria:

• 2 balanced analog input channels (via TRS or combi jacks)
• at least 4 balanced analog output channels (via TRS or combi jacks)
• analog output level of at least 4V (12dBV, 14.25 dBu)
• USB interfaces only

I use these interfaces to provide audio input/output to a computer that runs DSP in software, typically to create a loudspeaker crossover. YMMV.

Noise floor, distortion, etc. all matter too so these will be noted an when possible links to measurements or reviews will be provided as time permits.


Here are a few examples with prices in Euros as of May 2025:

---

Behringer UMC404HD €99
MOTU M4 €300
Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 €250
Topping E4x4 €260

Please post your own suggestions and if possible include a link to any measurements that are available.

I'm not very familiar with USB audio interfaces; the Topping DM7 or the Okto Research DAC8 PRO are often used for this purpose.

With USB audio interfaces, such as the Focusrite Scarlett 8i6, or the Topping E4x4 Pre or E8x8 Pre, can the outputs be addressed separately via a convolver?

 

[charlielaub]

@Roland68 The TOPPING DM7 and DAC8PRO do not have analog inputs, so these do not quality for the list.

 

[Roland68]

@Roland68 The TOPPING DM7 and DAC8PRO do not have analog inputs, so these do not quality for the list.

I'm already aware of that, but I just wanted to know if you can use these USB audio interfaces for speaker crossovers and control all outputs individually via USB.

 

[charlielaub]

You probably should ask that question in a separate thread, or over at diyaudio in the "PC based" forum:

PC Based

Computer music servers, crossovers, and equalization

www.diyaudio.com

 

[somebodyelse]

Current interfaces only, or old/used ones too? OS support?

 

[charlielaub]

Let's restrict this to interfaces that you can still purchase "new".

For OS support, it would be nice if it were class compliant and could work under Linux...

But feel free to make suggestions.

 

[somebodyelse]

I'll keep watching - all of mine are old!

 

[designfx]

I think you'd want to consider some of the Audient interfaces too, some of the lower-tier models (including EVO 16) are 12dBu (similar to the Arturia you mentioned above in OP), but the id44mkii and id48 are 18dBu if I recall. Also consider looking at some of the SSL interfaces... a couple of those might hit your specs just fine.

Since you mention "at least 4" outs, that really opens up a lot of different interfaces... MOTU UltraLite mk5, new 828, etc... RME, etc... You could use any ADAT-equipped box you want and then add whatever i/o suits your needs.... like the Arturia Audiofuse X8 OUT is a recent example.

Best "value" is likely going to be MOTU M4 though IMO, depending on where you live.

 

[Speedskater]

Why "TRS or combi jacks" ?
Most of us use XLR jacks.
I try to avoid TRS when ever possible.

 

[Cbdb2]

I try to avoid TRS when ever possible.

Why?

 

[unpluggged]

Most of us use XLR jacks.

Who are "us"?

 

[EERecordist]

I thought I would start this thread to get input from forum users and create a list of USB audio interfaces that match the following criteria:

• 2 balanced analog input channels (via TRS or combi jacks)
• at least 4 balanced analog output channels (via TRS or combi jacks)
• analog output level of at least 4V (12dBV, 14.25 dBu)
• USB interfaces only

I use these interfaces to provide audio input/output to a computer that runs DSP in software, typically to create a loudspeaker crossover. YMMV.

Noise floor, distortion, etc. all matter too so these will be noted an when possible links to measurements or reviews will be provided as time permits.


Here are a few examples with prices in Euros as of May 2025, sorted by increasing price point:

---

Arturia MiniFuse 4 €200 (outputs spec'd at 12dBu max)
Tascam US-4x4HR €212
Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 €250
Topping E4x4 €260
Steinberg UR44C €300
MOTU M4 €300
iConnectivity Audio4c €375 (outputs spec'd at 13dBu max)
Focusrite Clarett+ 2Pre €375


Please post your own suggestions and if possible include a link to any measurements that are available.

Amir just did a review of a MOTU device. Until the master index is brought back, what I have been doing is pick some examples off the latest review bar graph, then read the reviews.

There are several kinds of filters used for active speakers. For instance, Lab Gruppen Lake Processing has their angle on it. Once you get it working, sure people would like to hear about it.

 

[charlielaub]

Why "TRS or combi jacks" ?
Most of us use XLR jacks.
I try to avoid TRS when ever possible.

"combi" jacks accept both XLR and TRS plugs and IMHO.

Sorry, but I don't think that "most of us" is mostly who you think it is...

 

[charlielaub]

I think you'd want to consider some of the Audient interfaces too, some of the lower-tier models (including EVO 16) are 12dBu (similar to the Arturia you mentioned above in OP), but the id44mkii and id48 are 18dBu if I recall. Also consider looking at some of the SSL interfaces... a couple of those might hit your specs just fine.

Since you mention "at least 4" outs, that really opens up a lot of different interfaces... MOTU UltraLite mk5, new 828, etc... RME, etc... You could use any ADAT-equipped box you want and then add whatever i/o suits your needs.... like the Arturia Audiofuse X8 OUT is a recent example.

Best "value" is likely going to be MOTU M4 though IMO, depending on where you live.

Sorry I meant to say "only" 4 outs. Otherwise there are many, many more to choose from! Unfortunately I do not seem to be able to edit my first post any more. This also means I cannot modify it and add to the list when I discover new interfaces to add.

 

[somebodyelse]

"combi" jacks accept both XLR and TRS plugs and IMHO.

Sorry, but I don't think that "most of us" is mostly who you think it is...

They do accept both connector types, but not necessarily as the same input type. Sometimes the XLR is a mic input while the TRS is line level.

 

[Speedskater]

OK, so who would rather a TRS over an XLR and why?
In my decades of broadcasting, recording & live sound I have had way more problems with TRS connectors and connections than XLR.

 

[charlielaub]

They do accept both connector types, but not necessarily as the same input type. Sometimes the XLR is a mic input while the TRS is line level.

Exactly. They physically accept both connector types (XLR and TRS) but typically when a TRS connector is inserted the +48V mic power cannot be applied. I like this about the combo jack because I really do not want to see what happens when I accidentally send 48V DC to my upstream equipment (connected to the ADC)!

 

[KSTR]

Combo is OK for inputs (with any phantom power only on the XLR, of course).
TRS balanced output is a bit problematic because TRS must be TS-compatible. So it must either be a servo-balanced output (or ideally, transformer-coupled), or an impedance-only balanced output (cold signal is silence) which often does not reach the 4Vrms target. And then we have some TRS device outputs which are not TS-compatible with the cold signal being shorted out, causing degraded specs or even malfunction/damage.

But consider that when you have a proper balanced input at the receiver, a dedicated balanced output at the source is not needed at all. You only need a proper cable or adapter (we've covered that topic many times on this forum).

--- as for the thread question ---
RME ADI-2/4 would be a top-notch contender. ADI-2 Pro is also fine, using the phones-3/4 TRS output. Both aren't cheap.

 

[charlielaub]

The RME ADI-2/4 PRO you mentioned above costs over 2k but only has 2 analog outputs (the other outputs are digital). So it doesn't meet the requirements. Definitely a high performance unit, but just not one for the list even if you ignore the crazy pricing. I don't think it is right to use headphone outputs.