Replacing Saffire pro24dsp with usb... suggestions for low latency/good pre's?

 
I've just sunk all my money into a major studio computer/DAW goodies upgrade and will be financially strapped for awhile.  My 2nd Saffire pro23dsp just decided to die on me, which really sucks, so I'm done with Focusrite... second pro24 to fail in 6 years...and I want to shift to USB2/3  I'm currently using my old AudioKontrol 1 which has always been a super backup and is reporting around 7.3ms round trip at 32 samples... My concern is the Mic preamps... I'm a vocalist and use pretty much 1 mic, an amazing CAD E100S.  Thus, my needs are simple. The AK1 has 1 mic in/1 line which is just fine for the moment, although it is USB1.  Ultimately I'd like a higher quality USB2?3  with better pre's.   Don't need extra mic pre's, although the two on the Saffire were nice...
 
Any thoughts would be most appreciated.  I also realize I can go with a better external mic pre and this is a consideration, although if I can get decent pre's in a USB2 interface with low latency, financially that would be more doable.  I will be doing a lot of songwriting over the next 3 or 4 months and during that time I'll try and swing an upgrade... 
 
Right now I'm loving the new system and the AK1 is working... just trying to plan/think/budget for being able to produce best vocals possible.  I'd like to do this ONCE, so while budget is a consideration, long run utility is just as important...
 
Thanks, all.  

If you are a vocalist I'd suggest a outboard preamp.  They are a bit better than anything you'll find in a lower cost interface.
 
Of course, you haven't mentioned cost.  The saffire line seems to be the most popular on these forums, but that ain't a go for you.  If you have the cash ($500) the focusrite forte  or the more expensive Audient both include better preamps.  If you have less money, the octocapture was on sale (link is on the forums somewhere), and others have had success w/ the Presonus line.  any of those latter have OK preamps, but you could add one later.  Something like the warm audio, which is a professional piece w/ cinemag transfomers.  The E-100 would love that, I bet.  Preamps are one of those last 5% pieces, but once you start using one you learn why people pay for them.
 
@

AT
If you are a vocalist I'd suggest a outboard preamp.  They are a bit better than anything you'll find in a lower cost interface.
 
Of course, you haven't mentioned cost.  The saffire line seems to be the most popular on these forums, but that ain't a go for you.  If you have the cash ($500) the focusrite forte  or the more expensive Audient both include better preamps.  If you have less money, the octocapture was on sale (link is on the forums somewhere), and others have had success w/ the Presonus line.  any of those latter have OK preamps, but you could add one later.  Something like the warm audio, which is a professional piece w/ cinemag transfomers.  The E-100 would love that, I bet.  Preamps are one of those last 5% pieces, but once you start using one you learn why people pay for them.
 
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AT, thanks for the thoughts... I'm leaning towards your approach...btw, the E100 is the "S" model, a big improvement and the only all USA made quality mic.  It is really amazing.  I'm going thru TAFKAT's latency list and 
the ESI Julia XTe PCIe card is right up there with the RME stuff for a couple hundred $$$. Then again, have no idea on the pre's for the short run... Presonus is on par with the saffire line.  OY, this is challenging.
 
I wish someone would do a high quality 2 in/surround out unit, without all the extra babyface stuff I'll never use...
 
You've given me food for thought re: separating latency and pre's as the pre can come down the road...

I've abandoned Firewire for USB.  My main recording interface is a Roland Octa-Capture (they have smaller units such as the Quad-Capture). 
 
My Octa-Capture's reported Latency in Sonar is 6.6ms and that is not the lowest buffer setting in the Octa-Capture. 

I have had great luck with my Octacapture.  Rock solid, very low latency, and the pres, while they don't stand out, are perfectly neutral and have served me well for both vocals and as a bass DI.  

You can always get an interface on loan to check out the latency on your system.  It is best to use a local dealer where you can take it back and pick up a different one the same day.  even if you have to pay a bit more.  Just make sure about the return w/ the sales man, preferably w/ a manager, too.  Virtual stores will let you do that too, but you'll pay more for the shipping if you do.
 
Differences in the same price range are always small.  A preamp on a $200 interface is not going to differ much between companies.  It is the drivers that matter, and there is no guarantee one model will work w/ your system - even RME (which most will acknowledge have the most universal drivers).  It should, but PC's are all over the place and one bit of hardware or software can interfer w/ the interface.  If you are worried about latency, trying before buying is a smart bet.
 
As to a stereo in, multiout unit, RME makes one, as does the Audient (which has their standard preamps, which are very good).  But those run about $700-800.  Presonus's stuff is good for the price - I've had a couple of their units.  Also note that if you plan on getting an external preamp, it is best if the interface includes line ins rather than just preamps.  You can turn down the preamp input to zero, but the signal still passes through the preamp circuitry.  Some people claim this hurts the sound.  I can't tell the diff, but you might.
 
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You guys are just fantastic! I was up till 5am reveling in my new system using my AK1... and now I wake up to your wonderful insights. I've reflected on them all before but you are truly helping me filter my own unique situation.
 
Super, I always love your whimsically relevant wit! My personal proclivity is that I never use the zero latency direct monitoring abilities which both my Saffires had. I'm an intuitive writer, building on beds as I create and feel stifled without everything impacting the next layer. I've tried to acquire exquisite vsts, like EW's spaces or guitar Sims which evoke my next splatter and zero latency monitoring just doesn't do it for me most of the times.  I like feeling the layers as I'm applying them, at least whenever practical. So, for me, latency is more important than for others who  can wield a more clinical approach.
 
AT...boy, you've done it again...hitting on several issues wonderfully. Buying locally...Absolutely, when ever possible I support our local guitar center in Emeryville, near Oakland. Over black Friday I was able to sit down all day with my own krk studio headphones (awesome,btw) and play 20+ basses and ended up with 2 Ibanez (4/5 strings) beauties that are just perfect for me, at a better price than anywhere else, while supporting their recent multi million$ investment in our community. 
 
I'm leaning towards the  presonus vsl44 right now as it has two mic/instrument and two mic/line inputs for an eventual outboard pre. Plus it has latency rivaling rme per  Jim Rosenberries' (?) recent posts elsewhere. I have no qualms about GC refunds/swapping as we're pretty tight.
 
And you're absolutely correct about being able to use it for a week to see if it's the one...Of course, having a backup plan just in case is also important. Some say the vsl line stutters at low samples like 64 which would totally change the latency equation but we all know, it depends on your system. I've invested everything in my new rig to eliminate the wussy rig complications. It's so awesome I'm just giddy with what I can throw at it!
 
Still, stumbling around is par for the course... I started running my AK1 at 32 samples to get latency down to 7ms and after a day off creating/working on getting comping down... I suddenly had system gridlock. Almost posted the issue, reinstalled kontakt which wouldn't load (well, it would over 5 minutes) and was freaking out, reinstalling things, to no avail when I read another post about ni loading issues and someone mentioned upping the samples... I upped mine to 64 and voila, smooth as silk again, 8 HOURS LATER...ARERG!)
 
Thanks all...I really value this process of helping me think this through and your generous giving of time to a fellow artist. I'm close to a trouble free setup now (although still got to move everything to my new noxiana deep silence case, which is unbelievable, btw) 
 
I love you...it's what wonderful about our community... and I'm close to the transparent song writing rig of my dreams!
 
 

Hey, batty! I luv bats, btw and they're in serious jeprody these days...
 
Absolutely... I understand this issue and generally start songs with basic beds if not just a single awesome synth/guitarz then begin vocalizing. That's when latency is most important for me. I find it helpful to create an ambience though, initially... too spur my creative juices...and even it comes to getting that pink Floyd guitar sound...low latency is a must as I can't become "the Floyd" otherwise!
 
If I add harmony later I do as you suggest, when necessary as what I have can defiantly wank even my luscious 4930.
 
It's a good point for all to remember... I first realized this back a few years ago using that convolution reverb cake has...it was ridiculous, and I had no idea I was creating my own latency problems.
 
I luv the button to deactivate all inserts. Oh, and to reactivate them too!

Just walked out of the newest, best Guitar Center anywhere (Emeryville, CA) with a PreSonus Audiobox 44VSL for the amazing price of $240, total price coming to $261.60.  Am awaiting some info on the Forte re: latency from Jim as I would truly love the RedNet preamps but some say latency is up around 10ms and that wont due...
 
If it comes out to be more reasonable, I'll probably jump ship; ain't opening the package for the audiobox!
 
I'll post some results later but am kinda excited at the moment as I was going to start with the 22VSL and save $110 to test it and then upgrade later but walked out with the surround capable version, 4 mic pres, two line in and 2 instrument ins, wall powerable to adequately handle my CAD E100S mic, and a bit better specs for $40 more!!!!!!!!
 
Moral: get to know and support your local store manager, especially if they're really into it like we are and you'll be happier than reducing transactions to webland!!!  
 
OK, gonna download latest drivers and give this puppy a spin!  Don't know if it's a keeper but got a few weeks to play with it and continue reflecting as they have lots of choices, including the Forte on their shelves...
 
YEEE HAW!!!!!

Glad you like it.  Good news.
 
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AT
Glad you like it.  Good news.
 
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I am now glad my pro24dsp died...really!!! This is way better.  I never used the real time direct monitoring as their set up was counter intuitive to a dummy like me.  But, the VSL is slick, actually has both delay and usable reverb, gate, comp,eq... and other goodies set up like a board... very nice and you can blend the direct and daw monitoring...but most of all it is smooth as silk in my rig and it's the last piece (unless I decide to try....the Forte, which I may be able to swing a pretty good deal on...)
 
And the latency is great.  Haven't tried Amp sims yet as I'm litterally jizzin' over vocal comping right now... 4 tracks, 10-15 comps a track... better get speed comping down....and it's been a great way to extemporaneously write words...just vamp and pick and choose...which I find cosmically creative as opposed to my sometimes analytical way to write... (this sentance went crazy... mind is afire right now!)
 
Re: Mettelus.... so WHAT the Frack IS ASIO aggregation????  you're like the girl who teases and...I mean, it may be important enough I gotta dig into another garden for the "forte"....OY!
As to your concerns.... don't know what happened on the first one, but really be careful about your cabling... my ancient cat was stumbling around and dislodged the firewire cable and that was that...poof! and their average repair is $300.... forget it! firewire is fussy that way... hella expensively fussy!
 
 
 
 
 

Met... I tried to explain that to my cat but she lost her hearing years ago..
 
Btw, re asio agg.. I'm able to run playback of mixes/mp3s/waves thru vsl while X3 is running if that's what u mean...I'm mobile at the moment.Will check out vid later...
 
Really had a great all nighter.

Yeah, presonus has it together too...I was always frustrated having to rejigger things to play back mixdowns or other things like utubes in monitors.
 
I guess u mean ur "studio mansion?" We are very lucky to have such tools!