Topic: Connecting ADI-2 Pro FS R to external interface
Hello,
I have not been an RME user for several years. The last product I had was the PCI expansion card HDSP 9632 about a decade ago. I am looking to get back into RME after using cheap Focusrite products as my audio interface for the past few years.
My current setup has microphones running through channel strips or preamps on my analog mixer, then on to my Focusrite 2i2 for AD conversion to my PC via USB. I get external DA conversion through a Benchmark DAC1.
I am looking to get an external audio interface like the UFX+. I prefer external interfaces over internal add in cards and the UFX+ is perfect because it gives me the ins and outs I need (more than I need honestly) at my workstation and gives me a MADI connection for adding a separate mic preamp down the hall for a second podcast recording room that will be in the future. I also love totalmix and have missed it. Much easier to manipulate than my analog mixer.
I would like to have some higher quality conversion in this system for driving my Yamaha HS8's at my workstation and potentially pipping in my analog mixer. As I said I currently have a Benchmark DAC1 doing the DA and providing signal to my studio monitors.
My question is: will I get higher quality conversion if I run an external DA or AD/DA like the ADI-2 PRO FS R through the UFX+ or similar interface?
The UFX+ does 24 bit 192khz conversion so it seems to me attaching an external converter to it via the digital ins/outs would be a waste. I.E. the 32 bit 768khz conversion would be worthless going through a 24 bit 192khz connection to the PC. Also considering doing all the AD conversion on the interface and upgrading to a Benchmark DAC3 for better DA instead of the ADI-2, in either case my question stands. Is it possible to get a full 32/768 signal passed through the UFX+ to an external converter? If not, are the converters in the ADI-2 really that much better than the UFX+?
Finally, I understand that I could connect the ADI-2 Pro FS R via USB and just have it dedicated to output but I was really hoping to be able to run everything on my PC through total mix. I don't want to deal with changing outputs in windows.
Any input is appreciated. Thank you