Audio Interfaces: Tascam US-4x4, Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 or Steinberg UR44?

I have avoided computer-based recording because I try to keep 90% of my recording time focused on the music, versus the gear. I have been happy with the Tascam 2488 neo integrated hard disk recorder/mixer. I want to dip my toe in Sonar, mostly to be able to more easily collaborate with other musicians, mixing in drum and keyboard tracks recorded by others. 
 
I'm looking at the Tascam US-4x4, Focusrite 6i6 and Steinberg UR44 interfaces. Any opinions on which one might sound best or be most hassle free with Sonar? 
 
One advantage of the Tascam unit is that it comes with Sonar LE, so I could try the software and upgrade at at discount if I like it, or return the unit within 30 days if I don't like the software or the unit. 
 
Is there any benefit to Tascam and Sonar being in the same corporate family, in terms of drivers that are kept up to date, etc.?
 
Thanks!
 
Paul

I am switching my PC DAW audio i/f from a PreSonus 44VSL to a Tascam US-16x08 (arriving tomorrow). I could never get the 44VSL driver to play nicely with my iLok. I arrived at the Tascam decision before I knew that it was part of the same family as Cakewalk. Yes, it has great mic preamps. Yes, it's a well-built piece of kit. But the primary reason I picked Tascam was that they moved their driver development back in-house, at least for their new lines, like the US-XXxXX audio i/fs. PreSonus haven't updated the drivers for the VSL i/fs in over a year, in the face of numerous complaints and documented bugs and mal-behaviors. They have been totally silent, hanging their forums mods out to dry.
 
When I buy a piece of kit that I plan to give significant use over an extended period of time, I need to know that the supplier is on my side, vis-a-vis my beneficial use of their product. I'm buying the company as well as the product.
 
But that's just me. And I'm nowhere close to perfect.

I'm very happy as well with my Focusrite 6i6

 
I like the Steinberg UR-44.  The Yamaha preamps are nice sounding and the inboard DSP is really convenient for me on vocal mikes.  It was easy to set up.  No glitches or instability.  I've never tried Focusrite, but I certainly would not attempt to override the consistent high marks their products receive on this forum.

I've reviewed a ton of interfaces over the years. I'm currently using the TASCAM US-4x4, which replaced the audio part of the V-Studio. I was having lots of instability issues with the V-Studio and because I had access to the TASCAM to try out (hey, it's a Gibson Brand), I gave it a shot. I was extremely impressed with the mic preamps and also appreciated that it had a MIDI 5-pin DIN connector. 
 
I then did some tests to see if the specs matched what I thought I was hearing. The results of those tests are here, and speak for themselves. Note that these are real-world specs - I tested noise with the mic pres up, ditto crosstalk.
 
Of course, Focusrite makes fine interfaces and every one I've tested over the years worked well. The only issue I ran into was that with the USB interfaces, the +48V phantom power measured around +35V on two units I tested. It appears to remain a problem as someone from Gibson tested one on the floor at a GC, and it was still +35V. However, virtually all condenser mics work fine with +35V so I don't think it's a significant issue.
 
Some people find the Focusrite mixer applets confusing because there are quite a few mixing and routing options. The TASCAM applet is extremely bare bones - no internal mixer or DSP, just output routing and sample buffers. I was told by TASCAM all the parts cost went into the discrete mic pres, and I believe them. However, they're all Class A which means that USB does not provide enough power to the unit. It requires using an AC adapter so bear that in mind if you expect to be the 4x4 in a portable application involving a laptop.
 
I've also used the Octa-Capture and really liked the mixer applet, the fact that it could expand the V-Studio, and the auto-level set function (which I think is great). Although quite a few people in these forums have reported stability issues, it worked fine for me as long as I kept on top of the latest drivers.
 

Almost any modern interface will work fine.  There isn't that much difference in preamp or converter components in the same price range.  The biggest differential has to do w/ your computer and interactions w/ the interface drivers.  99% of the time everything is fine w/ out of the box, but if you are the unlucky 1% it is nice to have a retailer that will let you exchange the hardware - no questions asked.
 
@

I like the UR44 a lot. Focusrite seems like a good choice as well.
The UR44 has great preamps, four mic inputs, lots of outputs, records up to 192K, will do re-amping well, works with my PC and iPad, works well with Sonar and Studio One. The list goes on...

do any of these offer 'latency free' monitoring?
 
 

Thanks everyone for the great advice. It sounds like all three devices are quite good and are being used successfully with Sonar. 
 
AT mentioned the value of buying from a retailer who has a hassle-free returns policy. Which retailers are the best in terms of returns and general support?
 
thanks again,
 
Paul

Sweetwater.
 
Remember they have a 2 year warranty. Most others only have a 1 year.
http://www.sweetwater.com/about/warranty/
 

To answer Batsbrew's question, I don't think there's any such thing as an new audio interface that doesn't have direct monitoring. 
It confuses people because direct monitoring gets called zero latency. duh of course it's zero   because its the analog input to your headphones before the A/D then mixed with the offset adjusted output of your DAW.
 
But, and a big but!  if the drivers are crappy the offset timing is not accurate so therefore the need to always perform a loop back test to see if Sonar and the audio drivers are correctly setting the offset. We have a thread where I invited people to try this. The results were interesting. And it also showed how using anything other than ASIO mode results in tracks not lining up by varying amounts of offset. 
 
http://forum.cakewalk.com/Lets-all-TEST-our-Interface-driver-for-offset-m3178396.aspx
 
 

I am looking at these same interfaces, in particular the Focusrite 6i6. I have seen some reports that the driver installation requires all other audio drivers be removed. I want to use the interface with a laptop+Sonar, but I would want the built-in MME audio to be available to use just for playback, so I can rock out at Starbucks while checking email.
 
Has anyone heard of this limitation?

Thanks mettelus. Good info. This forum is almost always faster than the manufacturer, but you're right - I should contact them. The 6i6 is on sale for $210 for a while (Sweetwater). Hate to miss out if it turns out that's the one I want. (BTW, I've never used ASIO4ALL.)

musichoo,
that's the one i'm considering as well.