Hi,

I am debating about getting either this two, because they are about $300 different in price. (HDSP9632 $500 & HDSPe AIO $800)

My primary uses are:
1. Composing using VST instruments (EWQL, Kontakt, & other orchestra sample libraries), so I need a low latency card.
2. Not that often, when I need the sounds from my Korg Trinity keyboard, I record using stereo analog 1/4" L/R.
3. My monitoring is through headphone, since I don't have monitor speakers.
4. I sequence & mix my music ITB using Samplitude Pro X.
5. My PC is Core2 Quad Q6600 with Asus P5Q Deluxe Mobo (has PCI & PCIe slots), Windows 7 64bit.

In summary, I need a low latency card, headphone, Stereo analog I/O (1/4"), Solid with Samplitude Pro X (64bit).

Need your opinion.

Thanks.

hc.

Get the AIO, it has a better quality headphone output, which is also separated from the main output so that's important. It's also a more well featured card overall.
Try to find a lower price.

I recently installed the HDSPe AIO in a new Windows PC. The main difference, as I understand it: the HDSP9632 is a PCI card, whereas the more recent AIO is PCIe. So, your motherboard will be able to use the HDSP9632, but the card may not work with a new mobo if you update PC sometime in the future.

That said, the AIO is an excellent choice. If the Triton has balanced outputs I would recommend using the XLR breakout cable with the AIO (or the HDSPe if it has support for balanced audio).

Peace,
Andy.

*edit to correct mistake
Last edited by ZenPunkHippy on Fri Jun 29, 2012 7:24 am; edited 1 time in total

The HDSPe AIO is based on the (relatively) newer PCI Express interface and will probably be supported much longer by RME and by motherboard makers.

Currently both will do an excellent job so only if you don't plan to use your card in future PC's/workstations then you could save $300.

Edit: it's likely you'll want to upgrade your current PC one day. Plugins are getting better each year but also more and more demanding CPU-wise.
So it's best to buy the HDSPe card.
Last edited by Timfonie on Fri Jun 29, 2012 7:39 am; edited 1 time in total

Even though HDSP 9632 is a fantastic card I had to get rid of it due to PCI bus not being natively supported on recent Intel platforms. It is a dead standard so I would get AIO if could afford it

I've got hold of a used HDSP9632 quite cheap - so if having to switch both audio interface and computer next time it's not that big a deal, since the saving at the time was substantial compared to getting AIO which were nowhere to be found used.

So that's one way looking at it.

Otherwise as said, the AIO is more likely to be supported by next generation MB.

I'm using one branch of monitoring(headphones) through analogue outs on XLR to the preamp which has monitor abilities, and another to speakers through optical spdif to speakers in the room. So getting the AIO just for separate headphones out is maybe not necessary.

Had no issues with HDSP9632 in W7 Pro x64, i7-860 so far(2 years).

But look for used AIO as well. I would have no worries buying RME used.

Hi all,

Thanks for your great opinions.

Slightly off subject...I have a Creamware Luna2 on my old computer before. Cost wise, it would be a lot cheaper (about $250 - $300) if I just upgrade into SFP 5.1 (for 64 bit OS) and use it on the new PC.

What do you guys think of this compare to the AIO?

Thanks.

hc.