kitekrazy1

JonD

eph221
So, the best deal right now, biggest bang for the buck, I feel is a used RME PCI 9632 or 9652.  Both sell for around $200 on ebay and reverb. Can't beat the latency and quality of sound. Rme still makes these cards and builds drivers for them. :D:D

Sure, RME still supports the drivers.  But the big disadvantage is PCI slots are all but obsolete.  Newer systems with PCI slots are bridged, meaning the shared PCI bus is unsuitable for audio interfaces. 
 
I'd rather put that $200 towards a newer RME interface (or alternative) that will work on a new PC if I upgrade tomorrow. 

 
They're still in production.  The pci card with the digiface etc...is out of production.  And regardless you can buy ne
 Agree. BTW I'm pretty sure Hammerfall PCIs are no longer manufactured.  Before forking out money on a used card I would check the RME forums first.
 
 You take a risk that one may not work if the motherboard goes out.  Even those under warranty are replaced with boards that have revisions.
 
 For under $200 there are a lot of choices.  Focusrite are good units. 

 
 Agree. BTW I'm pretty sure Hammerfall PCIs are no longer manufactured. 
 
They're still in production.  The pci card with the digiface etc...is out of production.  And regardless you can buy new old stock on ebay.  Everyone says buy new instead of old,  I've seldom had problems with buying used tech.  The only thing I've ever had die on me was a hard drive.  

Serious_Noize!
The USB 3.0 being used is something I was hoping for also, but it appears most of the devices out there currently for purchase for the most part are only supporting USB 2.0. 
 

 
Everything I've heard says there is no real advantage between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 for audio interfaces.

I would recommend the Focusrite Scarlett 2i4

RSMCGUITAR

Serious_Noize!
The USB 3.0 being used is something I was hoping for also, but it appears most of the devices out there currently for purchase for the most part are only supporting USB 2.0. 
 

 
Everything I've heard says there is no real advantage between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 for audio interfaces.

I would recommend the Focusrite Scarlett 2i4

Thank you! I'm going to take another look at the Focusrite products. I found this article on USB 2.0 vs. USB 3.0 and it pretty much explained it for me. I understand it better now. Thanks!
 
https://support.focusrite.com/hc/en-gb/articles/208095469-USB-2-0-vs-USB-3-0
 
I also found this article for anyone interested in this subject. 
 
http://masters-of-music.com/stop-asking-for-usb-3-0-on-audio-interfaces-it-offers-no-benefits/
 
 

Another Focusrite 2i4 user here, I like it.

 Hold the presses!!!!!
 
See this link for a Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 for only $169.99
 
 

Version 1 FYI

dude, buy the best you can afford.
 
when you think you have enough,
wait and save up twice as much,
then pull the trigger.
 

As mentioned above, for $100-200 you can get a good interface - Focusrite, TASCAM etc.  I'd be inclined to look at TASCAM since Gibson owns them and SONAR and I expect most of the SONAR people have TASCAM.  It can't hurt.
 
most of the hardware is basically sounds the same within the same price range - you just get more ins/outs.  RME has, according to reputation long established, the best software and it is still tops in the "affordable" section.  Most of the others are good, but you still run into incompatibilities on your computer and your unit, even tho it works fine on the other 1000 computers.  I've even seen a few problems w/ RME over the last 10 years.
 
Your best bet is to decide the price you can afford, go to a major retailer and check out specs and prices, find your best deal and order it.  If it has a problem, you can send it back for option B.  The sound won't be appreciably different between the two.  They all use the same converters and there is only so many ways and components to make a $5 preamp (which sounds good - much better than the RAMSA pres in my 1980s $1000 console)

 
I recommend an interface with separate headphone and monitor controls.
 
 

RSMCGUITAR
Version 1 FYI

 
I have the 1st Gen 6i6 and it's a great interface, I paid $230 brand new 3 years ago. $169 is not a bad price but I would not recommend that as it's now outdate tech. As I said,, you first need to list what features you want.
It's a 2 way street. What works for me might not work for anyone else, we all require different connectivity and monitoring.  People buy the wrong interface and then find themselves having to buy more gear to make up for the interfaces connectivity and monitoring shortcomings.
Most important is connectivity for NOW and in the FUTURE.
 
And +1 to Paul's recommendation. There is an example of a simple feature sadly missing from some interfaces. You buy an interface without that feature and next thing you know your having to buy a Mackie Big Knob to make up for this.