So, I'm looking to grab some sort of external sound card for a number of purposes. My requirements are:

PC based

External

>= 24/192

I need to be able to use this with RMAA, SpeakerWorkshop, LSPCad, etc. hence the PC requirement. The 24/192 is a requirement on the analog inputs for things like RMAA and needle-drops eventually. Budget is flexible

One that caught my eye so far is the Edirol FA-66, but I'd be interested in seeing what else would qualify.

Does your PC have a firewire card? Lots of interfaces that support it aren't OS-specific

Does your PC have a firewire card? Lots of interfaces that support it aren't OS-specific

Sure, let's assume it does. The deal is the software I need to use isn't available on the Mac, hence the limitation there.

Sure, let's assume it does. The deal is the software I need to use isn't available on the Mac, hence the limitation there.

Sure, I see where you're coming from. I forget I don't have to qualify those sorts of questions over here.

The RME Fireface 400 is really a phenomenal interface, and I prefer it to its USB cousin. Your application may not require all it provides, however.

M-AUDIO - ProFire 610 - High-Definition 6-in/10-out FireWire Audio Interface with Octane Preamp Technology

I can't find anything USB based (I didn't scour the web though) that could do higher than 24/96.

The E-MU 0404 USB will technically do 24/192 over USB

The E-MU 0404 USB will technically do 24/192 over USB

The USB EMU needs ASIO for digital out, but RMAA, last I checked, does not support ASIO, meaning that if you want to use RMAA to test digital sources, the EMU card won't work. This may or may not matter to you.

Very true, and thank you for noting that. I had a nagging concern over recommending it, and that was why.

I added a Diamond 7.1 PCI card on my PC. Coax SPDIF I and O, 24/96 capable.

About $30.

I got some native 24/96 WAV's, there was a noticable improvement for the hi-rez playback compared to 16/44.

Not sure if it fits all your needs, but if you have slot space, a nice cheap alternative to USB options.

EDIT: I see you want 24/192. I'm sure there are cards that support this as well.....

EDIT2: Argh! Just read your "external" requirement. Curious as to why, though.....

E-mu systems has something...yeah, the 0202;

I don't think M-Audio go that high, they're a bit behind the times, IIRC;

Grace Design Lunatec V3? MOTU? Tascam? Yamaha? Alesis? Apogee?

I mean, basically, look through here, here, and here.

what about the trusty old apogee mini dac/mini me <-> some optical or coax interface <-> pc?

not sure, but the firewire version of the mini's might go all the way up by itself..

mjb

Except that it didn't go to 192, I don't think. Other than that, the Mini-Me with the USB option would have been perfect.

their web page says the coax goes to 192k... but the toslink only does 48.

mjb

yeah, that would almost work. However, I need analog inputs and outputs for this type of testing scenario:

No comments on the Edirol?

I have neither good nor bad things to say about Edirol -- looking at portable recorders, I'm not ruling out the Edirol for myself, whatever that tells you.

RMAA Results

EMU 0404 USB

I considered the Edirol last year sometime. I think the only reason I ruled it out was budget at that time.

I've had the 0404 at 24/192 before using usb, but I don't know how I did it. Pretty sure I needed emu drivers to do it, and they didn't get along with foobar or iTunes so I deleted them.

Musiland Monitor 01 USD 24/192 isn't probably an all in one solution for you, but it has been tested bit-perfect 24/192 over USB.

bit-perfect 24/192 over USB.

bit perfect means absolutely nothing in the analog-digital conversion world

I'd also really like phantom power to power a measurement microphone, so perhaps I'll add that to the list.

bit perfect means absolutely nothing in the analog-digital conversion world

I'd also really like phantom power to power a measurement microphone, so perhaps I'll add that to the list.

Ugh, my mistake.

I have a ProFire 610 for the same purpose that you can try out if you want.

How about this sucka?

RME: Fireface UC

Edited September 14, 200916 yr by Hopstretch

How about this sucka?

RME: Fireface UC

Yeah, Looks Nice

I think I forsee a three-way shootout in the future. I don't mind buying the Edirol FA66 (need to find a place with a good return policy) and taking up Naaman on his offer, so all that leaves is the EMU 0404 2.0 USB.

Doug: RMAA supports ASIO in the pro version. You can even perform cross API testing (MME, DirectSound, KS, ASIO)

I'll loan you my 0404, Marc. I won't sell it to you if you like it, but I'll loan it to you.