New Audio Interface Apollo Vs RME

[Dodo02]

Hello everyone,

I'm looking for a new audio interface and would love to get your input. I'm currently using a Focusrite 2i2, but it lacks the power to properly drive my DT 1990 Pro (250 ohms). My goal is to upgrade to a higher-end audio interface that will not only solve this issue but also bring other advantages.

I'm produce my music on Ableton and making electronic music by the way.

What I'm looking for:
A good headphone amp capable of driving 250 ohms (I’ve heard that UAD has a better one)

Seamless integration with Sonarworks, ideally with native processing on the audio interface to eliminate the need for the Sonarworks plugin and avoid any latency

A physical mute/mono button

Two separate outputs in Ableton with Sonarworks correction:

Speaker output with correction

Headphone output with a different correction

A button to easily switch between these outputs (both active, one active, or complete mute)

Mappable buttons? (bonus because I already have a Streamdeck)

Dual headphone outputs? (bonus, so I can also use my HD 25 for a third reference)

The interfaces I’ve considered:
UAD Apollo Twin X duo

Natively supports Sonarworks, allowing me to bypass the plugin and eliminate latency

I don’t use UAD plugins, so that feature doesn’t really interest me

RME Babyface Pro FS

Well-known for its longevity and audio quality

Has dual headphone outputs + mappable buttons from what I’ve read

Requires using the Sonarworks plugin, which could introduce latency

RME Fireface UCX II

The most expensive of the three but supports Sonarworks

However, I’m unsure if it handles phase correction and allows for native processing like UAD does

My dilemma :
From what I’ve gathered, UAD seems to be the best choice for my needs, especially due to its native Sonarworks support. However, many people on Reddit recommend RME, criticizing UAD’s proprietary DSP format as being somewhat restrictive.

What do you think? Do you have any suggestions or experience with these interfaces?

Thanks for your help.

[dastewart]

Hi, I've just got myself an RME UFX III and the big draw for me was built in eq correction on the headphone and speaker outputs. I already had ARC Studio but the RME has replaced it and I'm not missing the ARC.

I've literally only had it a week so I'm still learning but my experience so far has been overwhelmingly positive. I can't speak for the UAD stuff as I've only ever used Presonus interfaces before.

What I do know is that the UFX II was revised last year to bring it up to spec with the UFX III so, in theory, there shouldn't be any difference as long as you buy a new one or one that was sold after the revision. I thought about the UFX II but the price difference didn't seem enough to risk there being some on the III that I may need in the future.

[Uncle E]

Natively supports Sonarworks, allowing me to bypass the plugin and eliminate latency

Do you use Sonarworks as a plugin or System-wide? From what I can tell, there seems to be a little more latency with System-wide. It's not much either way, though.

[_leras]

I use a lot of UAD but with an RME interface.

The RME interface is great and seems to power my dt1990 just fine.

I'm sure an apollo would be fine, but RME sound great and have very good driver support and are built very well.

[vitocorleone123]

You can always get a separate headphone amp.

Unless already heavily invested in the UAD ecosystem, I'd personally avoid it completely. Old tech. Company desperate to flog their existing customers for as much money as possible with ultra low prices to tempt new people in and then offer even lower prices to the next group. Plus there's no comparison on drivers and latency between the brands.

If someone gave me a UAD interface, I'd sell it and put the money toward RME.

I may be biased. Ha.

[Uncle E]

Couldn't you also say that about RME? Nothing against them, RME is awesome but they're not exactly cheap.

[Dodo02]

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I’m thinking of going with the RME UCX II. Although the price is slightly higher, I believe it will be a long-term investment, especially considering the feedback you’ve shared about RME in general. Plus, it won’t lock me into the UAD ecosystem.

However, I still have a few small questions.

I plan to use ROOM EQ to correct my speakers' response instead of relying on Sonarworks.

For my headphones, I’m thinking of using the EQ correction from the Oratory1990 Reddit guide. (https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/et4v9...b4cqe&e=1&dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/et4v9...b4cqe&e=1&dl=0))

you will find here the correction of both speakers & headphone : https://imgur.com/a/M4txSh6 (https://imgur.com/a/M4txSh6)

I do have two questions:

Hi, I've just got myself an RME UFX III and the big draw for me was built in eq correction on the headphone and speaker outputs. I already had ARC Studio but the RME has replaced it and I'm not missing the ARC.

I've literally only had it a week so I'm still learning but my experience so far has been overwhelmingly positive. I can't speak for the UAD stuff as I've only ever used Presonus interfaces before.

What I do know is that the UFX II was revised last year to bring it up to spec with the UFX III so, in theory, there shouldn't be any difference as long as you buy a new one or one that was sold after the revision. I thought about the UFX II but the price difference didn't seem enough to risk there being some on the III that I may need in the future.

Does ROOM EQ in RME offer phase correction like Sonarworks? (It seems that Sonarworks correction in Apollo takes this parameter into account.)

Given the EQ correction for my speakers, will there be an audible difference when switching from Sonarworks correction to ROOM EQ’s 9-band EQ? Won’t the limitation of EQ points in ROOM EQ degrade Sonarworks' correction?

I’m also considering getting the ARC USB interface for perfect control of my setup.

[dastewart]

Does ROOM EQ in RME offer phase correction like Sonarworks? (It seems that Sonarworks correction in Apollo takes this parameter into account.)

Given the EQ correction for my speakers, will there be an audible difference when switching from Sonarworks correction to ROOM EQ’s 9-band EQ? Won’t the limitation of EQ points in ROOM EQ degrade Sonarworks' correction?

I’m also considering getting the ARC USB interface for perfect control of my setup.

I disliked Sonarworks intensely and found that it messed up the phase (even without phase correction) so I can't say whether or not RME's Room EQ will sound like Sonarworks.

What I can say is that with RME you can independently delay the left and right channel by n ms but if you're sitting in an equilateral triangle I'm not sure there's any point.

I used REW to measure my room and work out the filters and then imported it into Room EQ. It's very easy to do once you know what you're doing but takes a bit of working out if you're not familiar with REW.

I had an ARC Studio beforehand and I'd say that Room EQ is no worse or better than that.