General Question Regarding Audio Interfaces

I've been writing music on my computer for quite a long time now, but I've only ever worked with MIDI/samples/virtual instruments. I live in an apartment that has a strict no instruments rule so I don't see myself upgrading my system to allow for recording live instruments via microphone or direct input any time soon.

My question is this: if I'm only using my external audio interface as a kind of soundcard to replace the stock one that's in my laptop, does it really make any difference which one I use? I have a PreSonus AUDIOBOX USB. It's nothing fancy, but I've never had any problems with it and I've always been able to get the sound that I want (so far as I am capable of with my mixing/mastering abilities).

Working the way I do, without ever recording live instruments, is there any good reason to upgrade to a more expensive, higher end audio interface? Would there be any benefit to the potential overall quality of my tracks if I had a higher end interface? 

Thanks for your help!

If you are happy with the end result, no need to change.  A lot of the better quality of the sound would be lost if you can't listen at loud, reasonable levels.  And as Sycraft says, a better headphone amp for your headphones if more important than raw conversion power if you are using headphones.  Some interfaces will have better latency, but that doesn't seem to be a problem for you, either.
 
Unless you just want to spend money, the answer is no.  If you do have money to burn, the Tascam uh-7000 is great w/o breaking the bank.  Superior conversion and preamps, good headphone amp, usable latency.  For the money, it is one of the best interface deals around.  I could hear the difference between it and my TC Konnekt 48, which is on par w/ RME hardware, which is very good.
 
@

I had an entry level interface that was USB and as my needs grew (more tracks in DAW, recording good vocals etc) I found the interface didn't hold up.
 
major problem I found was latency and DSP recording on vocals.  Also as I threw more USB devices onto the system the interface wasn't doing as well.
 
a better interface can help in regard to those things.
 
I went to a higher end Firewire interface that is the only Firewire device on my system.  The new interface had better preamps for when I recorded vocals.
 
if your interface is working for you there is not need for a more expensive interface.  if it ain't broke, don't fix it.  If your running into issue with your current one then address those needs and you may want a newer better interface.

Thanks for all the input, everyone. You definitely answered my question. Until/Unless I plan on recording audio, I think I'll invest my money in a better set of headphones and/or headphone amps if necessary. As I mentioned above, and as Sycraft guessed, since I'm living in an apartment in Japan I have no choice but to mix through headphones. I do have a pair of monitor speakers that I can use to test at low levels during the daytime, but I'm stuck with mixing through headphones 99% of the time. I have a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-M50 which have been awesome, especially considering how inexpensive they were. But I'd like to upgrade to a pair of nice (maybe $500 range or so) open back monitor headphones in the near future. Maybe a Christmas present for myself :)

Thanks again for all the advice and information!

skitch_84
Thanks for all the input, everyone. You definitely answered my question. Until/Unless I plan on recording audio, I think I'll invest my money in a better set of headphones and/or headphone amps if necessary. As I mentioned above, and as Sycraft guessed, since I'm living in an apartment in Japan I have no choice but to mix through headphones. I do have a pair of monitor speakers that I can use to test at low levels during the daytime, but I'm stuck with mixing through headphones 99% of the time. I have a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-M50 which have been awesome, especially considering how inexpensive they were. But I'd like to upgrade to a pair of nice (maybe $500 range or so) open back monitor headphones in the near future. Maybe a Christmas present for myself :)

Thanks again for all the advice and information!

skitch_84
Thanks for all the input, everyone. You definitely answered my question. Until/Unless I plan on recording audio, I think I'll invest my money in a better set of headphones and/or headphone amps if necessary. As I mentioned above, and as Sycraft guessed, since I'm living in an apartment in Japan I have no choice but to mix through headphones. I do have a pair of monitor speakers that I can use to test at low levels during the daytime, but I'm stuck with mixing through headphones 99% of the time. I have a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-M50 which have been awesome, especially considering how inexpensive they were. But I'd like to upgrade to a pair of nice (maybe $500 range or so) open back monitor headphones in the near future. Maybe a Christmas present for myself :)

Thanks again for all the advice and information!

The Focusrite VRM box is a pretty cool unit if you have to mix with headphones. It works well with ATH-M50's but I prefer my BeyerDynamic DT770 Pro cans.
 
Rocky

batsbrew
CONSIDER ULTRASONES.
 
http://www.ultrasone-headphones.com/en/

+1
I have the Pro 750's and do use it for tracking/mixing (especially at night).........very happy with the precise clarity of these phones.