...Including an affordable, entirely passive monitor controller.
 
Link: http://mackie.com/products/big-knob-series
 
 
 

Did they finally make a Big Balls module to compliment their Big Knob?

like those changes, but I'm happy with my old Big Knob as a monitor system and not an interface... that's what I bought an audio interface for.  $200 for the studio and $300 for the studio plus... not bad. Did u notice the inputs for 1/8" for phones, etc?

Doesn't the original Big Knob add its own color to the signal path? I've never used one myself, but it's the one main criticism I've heard about them.
 
I don't need a monitor controller anymore, but there was time when the inexpensive, passive version would have been appealing...

I've had a Mackie Big Knob for quite a while and I love using it.  I have 3 sets of Monitors connected to it to A, B, C my mixes.  It has various source inputs , talk back feature for my Head phone Cue Mix. Dim Mute, two head phone outputs, and separate level controls for each.    I just loved using it, and there are still a lot more features. 
 
I am keeping my original one as it Rocks!!!

I've heard the comments about coloring the signal many times and always attributed to " someone says". It has amp circuits like 100 % of any audio component. I've never heard anything critical that has any sound opinion behind it let alone measurements. It's someone badmouthing a pro level device simply because it sells at a home studio price point.

I prob couldn't tell if it was coloring the mix, lol.  My mixes are sounding fairly consistent between my mixing workspace and other sources.