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. 

Here is the response I got back from Focusrite (from post #15 above):
 
"Thanks for your mail. Except for the DSP Functions and the extra Headphone Port found on the DSP, both units are functionally the same. They were released at the same time, and both can be used with a Thunderbolt Adapter.

The DSP Model was discontinued, and the unit that took its place in the lineup is the Saffire Pro 26, which doesn't have the DSP Functions, but offers extra I/O on the unit at roughly the same price you would've found the DSP for new. Also, the standard Pro 24 is still current.

If you need any more support, please don't hesitate to contact us."
 
I am a bit confused now with the "DSP" part, since I had mentioned the VRM removal in my query. I have nothing to compare this too, but in MixControl there are Compression/EQ/Reverb DSP functions (internal to the box) which apparently no longer exist either (no idea here, but someone on a Saffire PRO [14/24/26/40] could confirm). I had *assumed* this was inherent in all Saffire models (cuts out the "DAW trip" for the monitor mix). I did not even notice the second headphone out had disappeared until I got the response (and the two associated Monitor Mix buttons disappeared as well). DOH!
 
Bottom line, the replacement unit is a significantly different beast than what is sitting on my desk
 
Edit: I am assuming the DSP is processed in the MixControl software itself now (as it is listed as a feature on the new model in that format). I just did a quick search for "VRM Box" and do not find a link to a product internal to the Focusrite site (not sure if this was also discontinued now).

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.
 
 

I would have thought that USB 3 was the future for PC since USB 3.0 is more prevalent on PCs versus Thunderbolt. However, Focusrite still does not make a USB 3 interface but they have a whole new line of Thunderbolt interfaces coming out this summer. I wonder where the other manufactures are going to go?
 
The thing I liked about the Saffire series was that they had a DSP mixing capabilities inside the interface. I am going to rely on that if and when my Profire quits working with Windows 10. I can use it as a mic pre-amp (if I ever needed one).
 
Latency part has me concerned since there are many are saying Focusrite has some of the worse latencies out there. There are a few saying they have improved it in their driver. But then some will say the latency comes from extra buffering inside the device? Perhaps the new drivers let you adjust that internal buffer? I recently saw a youtube video indicating that. I don't know.
 
I like Focusrite at the moment because it seems that either Thunderbolt or USB 3 devices will be coming out and I don't want to invest a lot in another interface that is going to go obsolete (I.E. like the Profire 610).
 
Thanks for all the responses! On Aug 1st, if my interface no longer works, I will need to get one quickly. Still don't know which way to go but still have time to research.
 

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.
 
 
 

Sorry for the highjack,
 
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.
 
@

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.  

Jim, I take it by top performer you are referring to Rme, lynx and motu? I am getting that from another thread you posted in.

I get that USB 2.0 is fast enough to transfer a lot of data but there is a certain latency built in that I believe (but don't know) thunderbolt overcomes. Having said that, USB is probably fine for me. My profire 610 is Ok in this regard, although it is fw.

So the trick for me is to find an interface that has solid and low latency drivers that fits my budget. Rme does not fit my budget.

As an aside, I checked out your website and it turns out we live about an hour apart.

Thanks for the information

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. 
 
 
 
  

FWIW my 2i2 is running great on Win 10 eval. My Toneport UX2, not so much.....