• Registered: 2010-01-23
  • Posts: 34

Topic: M-1620-Pro

I've posted similarly before but worth repeating...

M-1620 Pro is a really cool new product and getting dangerously close to my dream RME product.

Reply here if you would love to see (and immediately buy) the following release from RME...

M-1620 INTERFACE (ie: not just converters, an actual audio interface) with 16 I/O on DB25, Steadyclock FS, Totalmix FX and Durec.

I'd order immediately if this came out, but RME seem to keep their interfaces as non-DB25 jack-of-all-trades type interfaces.

Given that I cant see this coming out any time soon, as its not really the model RME go for, which interface would match best with the 1620 pro to give all of the above features but avoid having to make another multi thousand purchase? I can see various ways to achieve all but the durec...

2 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2024-06-11 21:16:40)

  • ramses
  • DAW Mastermind
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  • From: UTC+1
  • Registered: 2012-10-14
  • Posts: 13,196

Re: M-1620-Pro

If you want DURec: UFX III and connect via MADI.

Otherwise, several options exist, M-1620 Pro / M-1620 Pro D (Dante) in combination with:

a) ADAT based

Digiface USB (USB2)
RayDAT (PCIe)

b) MADI based

MADIface USB  (USB2, MADI)
MADIface XT (USB3, MADI, I read in forum that a new model is announced in forum with support for Room EQ)
UFX III (USB3, MADI, DURec, FX chip, most flexible interface with a good mix of I/O and support for Room EQ)
HDSPe MADI (PCIe x1, MADI)
HDSPe MADI FX (PCIe x1, MADI, FX chip; if I remember right: later HW releases with support for Room EQ)
HDSPe AOX-M (PCIe-x4, AVB or MADI; new product, not sure whether with FX chip, wait for manual with tech specs)

c) AVB based

Digiface AVB (USB3)
HDSPe AOX-M (PCIe x4, AVB or MADI, new product)

[needs AVB capable switch]

d) Dante based with M-1620 Pro D (with Dante Support)

Digiface Dante (USB3, Dante)
HDSPe AOX-D (PCIe x4, Dante or MADI; new product, not sure whether with FX chip, wait for manual with tech specs)

[ QoS capable L2/L3 switches might be a win to prioritize audio over other/bulk traffic ]

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub14
  • Registered: 2010-01-23
  • Posts: 34

Re: M-1620-Pro

Thanks Ramses, much appreciated.

The UFX III is the most appealing functionality wise....but...takes total cost to over £5000 (!?!). Would also need 2 power cables and 2 rack spaces, when 1 of each would be much neater. Price gets into Lynx aurora (n) territory which is a neater single rack space / single power supply solution and also has a durec style feature. Would be nice if RME let you daisy chain power supplies between units given their model of encouraging use of multiple devices.

Anyways, I guess there's no such thing as the perfect interface, everything has its pros and cons and credit to RME for bringing out consistently cool gear! Appreciate its not quite the same as RME or Lynx pedigree but Presonus had the quantum 4848 (briefly) and have just released their new 32 bit HD range of interfaces so maybe there will be 16 / 32 channel versions of them in the not too distant future (no durec but possibly a more cost effective option than a Lynx or RME).

Thanks for reply though - given me food for thought!

4 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2024-06-11 22:23:36)

  • ramses
  • DAW Mastermind
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  • From: UTC+1
  • Registered: 2012-10-14
  • Posts: 13,196

Re: M-1620-Pro

Cost-wise: this will most likely be your last interface, as it gives you various options.

Consider driver quality and long support plus the additional useful tools like
— RME Connector, via MIDI over MADI, no network or additional MIDI cabling needed for remote control
— RME DIGICheck

The UFX III got a major overhaul compared to the former flagship product UFX+, see my blog article for a summary:
https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/ent … iii-en-de/
or here in this forum:
https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.ph … 02#p217002

My Excel comparison sheet will also be of good use for you comparing different devices, but it doesn't contain PCIe and AVB/Dante based products: https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=35156

If Rack, consider to get 3 RU to have a little more distance between those two units (UFX III, 12Mic).

If you want only 1 power connector, place a good quality socket strip near or into the rack if there is room.
Then only 1 power cable is needed towards the wall.

I can recommend those from Brennenstuhl with protection against too high voltage and netfilter.
https://www.brennenstuhl.com/en-DE/sele … otect-line

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub14
  • Registered: 2014-07-17
  • Posts: 108

Re: M-1620-Pro

I'd love to know about the actual converters of the M-1620. Are they at all similar to the ADI-2?

Windows 11 / Nuendo 12 / UFX+ / M-1610 Pro / ADI-2 Pro FS R / Sonnet USB 3.0 PCIe
  • Registered: 2019-09-23
  • Posts: 19

Re: M-1620-Pro

Can anyone give some information on when it would become available in the stores, perhaps on the basis of previous announcements/ availability? I saw an online vendor listing it for Q3… thanks!

  • Registered: 2023-03-31
  • Posts: 16

Re: M-1620-Pro

Not gonna lie, not incorporating interface capabilities seems like it was in an effort as to not make the UFX, UCX, 802 lines obsolete…

I love RME converters, drivers & support but I do agree that DB-25 I/O would be an improvement on their interfaces. The mishmash of XLR-M & TRS on the UFX line is especially inconvenient.