Stupid question about audio interface..

[Maira]

Does the audio output quality from one audio interface to another audio interface different? I'm talking only about the audio output, playing audio with same bitrate, bit depth etc. Not the recorded audio from the interface.

Because some 10 years ago, I remember I had some M-Audio interface then switch it for Focusrite Saffire, the audio output is so much difference. But I don't know maybe it's only in my ears. Nowadays, I'm searching in the forum and online articles there aren't any answers. Only talking about the preamp/input quality.

I'm asking because I had Behringer audio interface that I can borrow from friend, but also I'm looking at Focusrite Solo or Komplete Audio to buy. If there aren't any differences in audio output I better go borrow the Behringer.

[tehlord]

The differences are tiny, not worth worrying about at that price range.

However, driver quality and build quality are definitely worth mentioning and in this case it's a good idea to avoid Behringer. The best starter interface out there would be one of the cheaper ones from Audient. They're good enough to actually hear a difference on the audio output compared to something like a Focusrite Scarlet range offering.

[chk071]

Even an onboard chip will have a similar audio quality these days. Not much of a difference there anymore.

Much more difference in monitors.

[Maira]

The differences are tiny, not worth worrying about at that price range.

However, driver quality and build quality are definitely worth mentioning and in this case it's a good idea to avoid Behringer. The best starter interface out there would be one of the cheaper ones from Audient. They're good enough to actually hear a difference on the audio output compared to something like a Focusrite Scarlet range offering.

Yeah I've tried behringer, the weird thing is the driver is the same as the onboard audio driver? Does it mean the sound quality is the same as onboard audio except it has more input?
I'll look at those Audient ones..

[chk071]

The differences are tiny, not worth worrying about at that price range.

However, driver quality and build quality are definitely worth mentioning and in this case it's a good idea to avoid Behringer. The best starter interface out there would be one of the cheaper ones from Audient. They're good enough to actually hear a difference on the audio output compared to something like a Focusrite Scarlet range offering.

Yeah I've tried behringer, the weird thing is the driver is the same as the onboard audio driver?

What do you mean by that?

Also, which Behringer are you talking about?

[donkey tugger]

However, driver quality and build quality are definitely worth mentioning and in this case it's a good idea to avoid Behringer. The best starter interface out there would be one of the cheaper ones from Audient. They're good enough to actually hear a difference on the audio output compared to something like a Focusrite Scarlet range offering.

The Behringer UMC202/204/404 HD192 (higher priced than the entry level ones but still cheap) range are excellent - balanced outputs superb quiet preamps, good monitoring options, and built like tanks.

Recorded and mixed everything I've done in the last few years on them, and no complaints.

[Maira]

The differences are tiny, not worth worrying about at that price range.

However, driver quality and build quality are definitely worth mentioning and in this case it's a good idea to avoid Behringer. The best starter interface out there would be one of the cheaper ones from Audient. They're good enough to actually hear a difference on the audio output compared to something like a Focusrite Scarlet range offering.

Yeah I've tried behringer, the weird thing is the driver is the same as the onboard audio driver?

What do you mean by that?

Also, which Behringer are you talking about?

Behringer UM2
It uses ASIO4all driver (universal audio driver that can be used with the onboard audio). No specific Behringer driver.

[donkey tugger]

The differences are tiny, not worth worrying about at that price range.

However, driver quality and build quality are definitely worth mentioning and in this case it's a good idea to avoid Behringer. The best starter interface out there would be one of the cheaper ones from Audient. They're good enough to actually hear a difference on the audio output compared to something like a Focusrite Scarlet range offering.

Yeah I've tried behringer, the weird thing is the driver is the same as the onboard audio driver?

What do you mean by that?

Also, which Behringer are you talking about?

Behringer UM2
It uses ASIO4all driver (universal audio driver that can be used with the onboard audio). No specific Behringer driver.

See my post above...the UMC range are far more highly specified.

[Maira]

The differences are tiny, not worth worrying about at that price range.

However, driver quality and build quality are definitely worth mentioning and in this case it's a good idea to avoid Behringer. The best starter interface out there would be one of the cheaper ones from Audient. They're good enough to actually hear a difference on the audio output compared to something like a Focusrite Scarlet range offering.

Yeah I've tried behringer, the weird thing is the driver is the same as the onboard audio driver?

What do you mean by that?

Also, which Behringer are you talking about?

Behringer UM2
It uses ASIO4all driver (universal audio driver that can be used with the onboard audio). No specific Behringer driver.

See my post above...the UMC range are far more highly specified.

Hmm so it does have its own driver, right? Have you compared those with focusrite or NI interface ones?

[chk071]

The differences are tiny, not worth worrying about at that price range.

However, driver quality and build quality are definitely worth mentioning and in this case it's a good idea to avoid Behringer. The best starter interface out there would be one of the cheaper ones from Audient. They're good enough to actually hear a difference on the audio output compared to something like a Focusrite Scarlet range offering.

Yeah I've tried behringer, the weird thing is the driver is the same as the onboard audio driver?

What do you mean by that?

Also, which Behringer are you talking about?

Behringer UM2
It uses ASIO4all driver (universal audio driver that can be used with the onboard audio). No specific Behringer driver.

Ah. Well, especially ASIO4ALL is not responsible for anything sound related. If then the sound related differences are caused by the digital to analog converters.

Pretty sad that Behringer uses ASIO4ALL for its audio interfaces though... it's not optimal in terms of CPU consumption and latency. Better get one with dedicated ASIO drivers. I can recommend the Steinberg interfaces.

[donkey tugger]

The differences are tiny, not worth worrying about at that price range.

However, driver quality and build quality are definitely worth mentioning and in this case it's a good idea to avoid Behringer. The best starter interface out there would be one of the cheaper ones from Audient. They're good enough to actually hear a difference on the audio output compared to something like a Focusrite Scarlet range offering.

Yeah I've tried behringer, the weird thing is the driver is the same as the onboard audio driver?

What do you mean by that?

Also, which Behringer are you talking about?

Behringer UM2
It uses ASIO4all driver (universal audio driver that can be used with the onboard audio). No specific Behringer driver.

See my post above...the UMC range are far more highly specified.

Hmm so it does have its own driver, right? Have you compared those with focusrite or NI interface ones?

Yes it has a native ASIO driver. Not ever used either of the other two so can't compare. My experience is that it's always been rock solid, but doing mostly work with audio and sample libraries I never really need to max things out. Others may have more info.

[dellboy]

Pretty sad that Behringer uses ASIO4ALL for its audio interfaces though...

The mid range have ASIO drivers, and they are up to date with Windows 11. They work in OSX and Linux without the need for drivers.

[imrae]

I have a UMC1820 and the ASIO drivers on Windows seem ok if not the most advanced. But at least it does work as a "class-compliant" device and is usable on other platforms. Critically for my purposes, it works on Linux so I don't have to use a separate interface for listening to music while coding... I passed on more expensive devices that don't support Linux at all because they only work through secret proprietary interfaces.

[chk071]

Pretty sad that Behringer uses ASIO4ALL for its audio interfaces though...

The mid range have ASIO drivers, and they are up to date with Windows 11. They work in OSX and Linux without the need for drivers.

Still sad that they expect you to use ASIO4ALL with their entry level interfaces.

[DNnX]

One of the easiest way to know the output quality is Dynamic Range and THD.

Focusrite Solo - DR : 108dB, THD : < 0.002%
Focusrite Clarett 2 Pre - DR : 118/119dB, THD : 0.001%

I love my Topping E50 as DA. Only $200, DR 126dB + THD : 0.00009%, ASIO 768kHz / DSD support.
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/foru ... dac.26219/

If you don't like those numbers, trust your ears.
Here is Lynx vs Behringer Blind Test thread from Gearspace
https://gearspace.com/board/gear-shoot- ... a8000.html