So I'm interested in upgrading my studio 192 interface. I'm windows based and can use usb or install an expansion card to support FireWire or thunderbolt if need be (motherboard does support thunderbolt option but card is a bit pricey) . I'm looking for an interface that can handle virtual instruments well with minimum latency. If you had a budget of $1,500 which interface would you go with? Thanks

RME UCX would be a good choice.

My wish list has the UAD Apollo Twin USB (USB 3.0) or the RME Babyface Pro (USB 2.0). 
 
They both have respectable drivers and I don't need a ton of inputs.
 
I'm not sure I would want to wade into the waters of Thunderbolt on PC, at least not yet...

I've been eyeing that one as well. Anyone know how the latency is on the RME? Also is the age of the unit an issue with newer interfaces?

Actual latency with virtual instruments would be a good question!  The UAD claims near zero latency if you use the external monitoring with their plugins, but I wouldn't think that applies to virtual instruments in the box.  The example videos I saw were tracking vocals with reverb applied for the recording session.

Jeff M.
RME UCX would be a good choice.

If you can stretch to the RME UFX, I'd go for that but the UCX is very good.... only wish I had one!

Lynx.

I like my ucx. There have been occasions where i wished i had bought the ufx. But the ucx with the rme quad Mic pre gives me eight inputs, six with phantom, in one u. The ufx, scales up higher, but sixteen inputs is enough for me most days.

I remember I have seen close to that prices for (older) UFX when they have introduced new version not long time ago.
A warning about Babyface Pro: it sacrifice connectivity for portability. Both down/up to extreme level.
 
BF Pro has strict lowest settings on Windows: 48 samples buffer at 44.1hHz (96 samples at 96kHz). So in latency nominal specification it is behind some USB3 / Thunderbolt interfaces (which claim 32 samples at 96kHz support). But the evil is in details. All settings RME support are actually usable without glitches and latency grow reasonable when the buffer size is increased.

highlandermak
So I'm interested in upgrading my studio 192 interface. I'm windows based and can use usb or install an expansion card to support FireWire or thunderbolt if need be (motherboard does support thunderbolt option but card is a bit pricey) . I'm looking for an interface that can handle virtual instruments well with minimum latency. If you had a budget of $1,500 which interface would you go with? Thanks

You've got the budget to get a nice audio interface.
 
If you go Thunderbolt, make absolutely sure the motherboard supports Thunderbolt-3... and that the add-in-card is a Thunderbolt-3 controller.  You can't install/use the Asus Thunderbolt EX-3 if the motherboard doesn't specifically support it.  If you're good with the motherboard and Thunderbolt-3 controller, you'll need to run an up-to-date install of Win10x64... and you'll also need a Thunderbolt-3 to Thunderbolt-2 adapter (as most all Thunderbolt audio interfaces are using Thunderbolt-2).  Apple makes a Thunderbolt-3 to Thunderbolt-2 adapter for ~$50.  We've had good luck with it under many different circumstances.
 
Side note:
Universal Audio's new (small) Arrow audio interface is Thunderbolt-3.
UA have also announced a Thunderbolt-3 option card for the Apollo series.
 
The Presonus Quantum is a nice audio interface at ~$1000.
The MOTU AVB series is excellent.
The RME UFX+ is excellent.
The UA Apollo 8/p is another great choice.
 
All offer extremely low noise, low round-trip latency, and rock-solid drivers.
 
All of the RME USB-2 audio interfaces are excellent performers.
Round-trip latency is slightly higher than the best Thunderbolt audio interfaces.
Note that the UA Apollo series (due to the onboard DSP functions) has round-trip latency just about equal to the RME USB-2 units.
 
MOTU's USB-2 audio interfaces are also very good performers.
Good sound, low round-trip latency, etc.
 
But the rest of your gear/setup will determine which choice best suits your situation.
Right now, we're all somewhat stabbing-in-the-dark with recommendations.
Since you're replacing the Studio 192, I assume you're looking for the same type of I/O configuration?
If so:

• RME Fireface UFX or UFX+
• MOTU 1248 AVB
• Presonus Quantum
• Apollo 8/p

All are excellent choices...
 
If you go Thunderbolt, make sure you've got all the details covered before ordering.