Audio interface connection preference?

I have an m-audio Profire 610 and it seems to work fine for me in Windows 8.1. m-audio doesn't seem to support it anymore and some people are having issues with Windows 8.1 (let alone Windows 10).
 
Most audio interfaces seem to be firewire or USB 2. If you were getting an interface today, which technology would you choose?
 
I am concerned about the age of firewire and how it seemed it was abandoned by Microsoft (again it seems to be working on my system).
 
Is USB 2 fast enough?
 
Thanks

USB 2 is fine, although USB 3 is now becoming commonplace.  USB 3 is far faster than anyone needs right now, yet is still backwards compatible w/ 2 for the most part (check first).  Firewire is still viable through pci cards, which means desktop.  It is more efficient than USB, but again, it is fast enough for all practical purposes.  If you need 32 channels at once you need to go to MADI or Dante.
 
What I'd get is Burl for ADDA, but that is tré  expensive (about $6000 for a 4 X 8 configuration, their smallest and you still have to get that sweet sound into your computer so save another $1000 or 3).  The best buy right now is the TASCAM uh7000 for my money.  $400 for a 2 X 2 USB 2 interface.  Top of the line conversion and preamps.  Latency can be a problem, but it also uses spdif or AES digital, so you can plug it into many other interfaces that have those connections.  Most of the lower-priced interfaces are about the same sound and spec wise - you just need to make sure it works on your system.  Even RME, considered to write the best drivers for both latency and stability (neat trick that) can have problems with any particular PC system.  Every driver can have a problem, so it is best to buy one you can return and get one that does work.  Focusrite is a favorite here, with TASCAM (the new hardware company associated w/ Cakewalk since Gibson own both) making waves with their newer line of USB interfaces (the uh7000 was a bit earlier tho the preamps share the same topology, I believe).   And they are cheap, starting at $150 for stereo and only twice that for the 16 X 8 unit.

I much prefer firewire.... and it lives on through Thunderbolt, if I were to get another interface it would be thunderbolt2. However with recent MS employee comments about Thunderbolt and Windows 10 that makes me want to think again, does not seem a priority for them.
 
There are apparently USB3 interfaces out there, if you buy one though buyer beware, often the manufacturer tends to imply they have all the benefits of USB3, yet they actually are just USB3 compatible and have the bandwidth of USB2.

my old pci card is rock solid.
 

In another thread, someone suggested (if I understood correctly) that RME, Lynx and MOTU tend to have lower latency systems. RME is more than I want to spend and Lynx looks like they just sell cards? I don't want a card. I like my external m-audio device. That leaves Motu and they just happen to support both FW and USB. Albeit they are not cheap but at least I can get something < $500.
 
Hopefully my Profire 610 will just work in Windows 10 but since it is no longer supported I can't guarantee it. I am researching now so that the day I install Windows 10 and find that the interface no longer works, I need to get another one ASAP.
 
I really like the price of the Focusrite stuff but I think I need 3 pairs of analog outputs. I connect my interface to my monitor speakers, PA (for jam alongs) and recently had to loop a set of outputs back to the inputs to accomplish a task.
 
Thanks for all the input!

My Scarlett 6i6 has 3 sets of stereo output to do what you want. 2 pair are analog and the 3rd is SPDIF so you can use that for loop back. This is better as there is no D/A- A/D involved as well. 
Focusrite is popular because for the money they have solid drivers and excellent customer support. Your hard pressed to find an negative review. The new Tascams are also worth checking out now they've finally started writing better drivers. 
Mont multi channel interfaces have the same 1/2 -3/4 SPDIF set up.  
Then it depends on your input needs and they come in all configurations. 
Here is my shopping list of features to be aware of when looking at an audio interface. 
 
http://www.cactusmusic.ca...0Interface%20blurb.rtf
 
What kind of connectivity do you require? and how many of each.
These are some of the options:
XLR, 1/4",  Combi jacks,  RCA, ¼” line level, ¼” Instrument level ,MIDI, SPDIF, ADAT,MADI
How many ins and outs do you think you'll need now and in the future?
Are they accessible?  Front or rear panel?
Are all ¼” jacks Balanced?  
Is there a true stereo pair? Some don’t have a matched set of inputs.
Pre Amps will fall under the “you get what you pay for”  rule, but check out the reviews anyhow.
A/D convertors will also fall under the same rule and generally all are good these days.
Are there peak level meters or just a little LED for each input?
Are there channel Insert jacks?
Are there separate controls for Monitor level and headphone level?
Is there a blend control for mixing Source with Computer ( DAW) ?
How many Headphone jacks? A level for each?
Are the input pads or line / Instrument toggle switches on the front, back or software controlled?
Is it a metal box or cheap plastic? Is it light and portable or large and bulky, Rack mountable?
Does it have an on / off switch?
Does it use Buss power or a power supply? Buss power can have issues with noise and Phantom power. Look for at least an optional power supply.  
Does it have DSP effects built in?
Does it use a GUI mixer? Having a software (GUI) mixer adds more options.
Can it be used as stand alone? Some interfaces are also handy as a small mixer.
What are the Round Trip Latency (RTL) specs? Do you need low RTL for real time processing?
Low RTL is going to be at a higher price point. A $200 interface will have hidden buffers etc.
Zero Latency monitoring is not the same as RTL. All interfaces have some latency.
Zero latency is just marketing hype for monitoring directly from the interface.
And most important of all, Does it have top notch drivers for your OS. 
What is the word on support from the company?
Does it come with free software, An LE version of a  DAW you would like to try?
 
Everyone will recommend the interface they have chosen, that doesn't mean it is the right one for you. 
 

I did a lot of research before I got mine, and got a lot of bang for the buck for my needs. I chose FW specifically to avoid any potential USB conflicts, but the Saffire Pro 24 DSP also includes their "VRM box" internally as well as audio loopback path (also internally wired). These features do not exist on all models (I *believe* the audio loopback is only on the FW line, not USB). Another thing to adjust is the sample offset to any AI (this one is a manual 76 samples for 44.1/24). Downside is I am limited in I/O (I overdub solo mostly), but appreciate the connection setups/knobs on this unit a lot. Focusrite seems to take their drivers very seriously (I do not have experience with other AIs, but am keen on watching thread titles with problems), so I do not expect legacy support to cave over time with units still in the field. I *assume* that their MixControl software is updated to include all models it was originally written for anyway.

Had to rewrite this completely - Okay, that comment made me research. It looks like the 24 still includes the DSP (just not printed in the title anymore), and the VRM was removed from the unit (which I have not used anyway, TBH). Thunderbolt support is new (I think).
 
It might be worth asking Focusrite directly what the difference is between the new and old one. The Red 2/3 plugins came out after I bought mine and were given to owners (and included now).
 
If the only difference between new and old is the "VRM" part, then it wouldn't be as earth-shattering as I initially thought here (I believe the 24 was the only model to have VRM built in, but not sure).
 
Edit: I just submitted the question to Focusrite and linked this post.

I went from a Firewire unit, a Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 (after it died out of warranty), to a USB unit, a Roland Octa-Capture and my latency dropped in half on the same PC.  The best I could get (for reliable performance) was 11ms with the Saffire Pro 40.  With the Octa-Capture 4 to 6 ms.  I now have a Roland Studio-Capture and it too is the same latency as the Octa-Capture.
 
My Rolands are Win 7/8/8.1/10 compatible.  I have Win 10 Preview (pre-release) on my backup system, on a separate hard drive, and have been testing my recording Software (Sonar Platinum) and hardware.  So far, everything is working properly.  Even the old Frontier Tranzport works in Win 10 (it has to be installed in a Win 7 compatibility mode, but it had to be installed that way in Win 8/8.1 too).
 
 
 

Many Firewire devices in audio equipment use the DICE or DICE II chipsets, including Focusrite.
 
This is one reason to use a T.I. firewire chipset in a PC; the DICE chipsets want to see a T.I. and usually only work or work properly with a T.I.  I haven't got into the electronics/logic to see what specifically why (I'm an electronics tech but not an Engineer so a lot of what is available is useless to me).

The DAW Benchmark test have not been updated for way to log a time and things change. Even Tascam is now in the running. Focusrites latency is more or less exaclty the same as all the others in it's price range. Lowest ratings seem to be RME and Lynx. 
You have to be very careful when trying to look up latency figures. One persons results will never match the others. And most of the under $500 interfaces use hidden buffers so your test will not be accurate. If I set my Focusrite on it's 2nd lowest buffer setting, the latency is almost acceptable. My guess is it must be around 7ms. I can't go lower without causing audio dropouts. But I don't use real time effects so I leave the buffer in the middle which they call 10ms but I think it means 256. It matters not what the RTL for most people as all decent interfaces use direct monitoring where there will be next to zero as far as overdubs go. 

USB2/3 is absolutely the way to go, forget firewire, the industry has chosen and the near future is usb 3 type c connector.
For music Usb 2 will be more than enough for most.
I have both a fw and an usb audio interface, I fully expect the usb one to work within days of Windows 10 release, but I know it'll take a little miracle to get the fw one working.
 
 

More important than USB2/3 vs. Firewire... is the individual audio interface choice.
There are good choices whether you're talking PCIe, USB2, or Firewire.
Go with a unit that's a proven top-performer (rock-solid drivers that yield low round-trip latency).
 
When using a USB audio interface, here are a couple of things to remember:

• Prior to Z series chipsets, ALL USB3 ports on ALL motherboards were provided via 3rd-party controllers.  Many USB2 audio interfaces don't work well when connected to 3rd-party USB3 controllers.  Liken the situation to using a non-TI chipset Firewire controller.  It opens the door to compatibility issues.
• When connecting via USB, try to isolate the audio interface on its own Root Hub
• If you've got a newer generation motherboard with Intel Z or X series chipset, you've got Intel USB3.  Most audio interfaces work fine when connected to Intel USB2 or USB3 controllers.

 
With 32-channels of I/O, you're nowhere near saturating the USB2 bus.
There's a lot of talk about USB3 and Thunderbolt offering far more bandwidth.
While that's certainly true, additional (unused) bandwidth won't buy additional performance.
 
 
 

AT
but Jim,  how do you know if a USB chip is Z if we put in a pci card?  And if we do and only ever plug our interface into it then we don't have to worry about sharing, correct?  Hope this isn't giving away state secrets.

Z77, Z87, Z97, and X99 Intel chipset motherboards all have Intel USB3 integrated into the chipset.
If you add a PCIe USB controller, it's not an Intel USB controller.
That doesn't mean it won't work.    (Like Firewire, it depends on the combination)
If you add a PCIe USB controller, I'd avoid USB3 units.  

I had an older MOTU 828 MKII - for 12 years.   Now, one can argue that the mic pre's and the dsp chips weren't as good as (everyones favorite goes here)..  What can't be argued is the firewire connection was flawless in 12 years of use, and MOTU's software for routing headphone distribution, eliminated my need to worry about latency.  SO - my favorite transport was firewire for 12 years.  But, the 828 done 'blowed up' a few weeks ago.
 
As I researched two weeks ago,  it was firewire, USB2, USB3, thunderbolt - NOT SURE where I would classify AVB and ethernet yet, but its pretty darned handy.  Firewire seems on its way out - darn.  I was ready for a mid end level unit,  until I started reading what went under the hood of the new MOTU AVB design, paying attention to converters, mic pre designs.  Since you can return hardware at many retailers, I bit and picked up a 1248.  USB2 is without a doubt - fast enough.  MOTU hit it the ball out of the park with its monitor software too.  Thunderbolt is one of the connectors, but MOTU does not yet have a windows driver for it.  Thats OK.  USB2 is fine.    Its probably out of your budget, but if others are considering - peek at this one.  Thunderbolt, USB2 and AVB interconnection.