To summarize this a little, I see clear advantages with the UCX II.
An additional AES port makes it possible to connect one of the reference converters (ADI-2 Pro / ADI-2/4 Pro SE) and also offers galvanic isolation of the devices.
This means that you still have the ADAT port free to connect a mic preamp.
It is really great that the UCX II has now also been equipped with DURec (Direct USB Recording), which was previously only available on flagship interfaces. It can be used as a backup recording for DAW recording and can save valuable recordings if the PC or DAW should ever go haywire. But can also be used for standalone recording.
Especially when it comes to standalone recording, the operation of the device in standalone mode is optimally supported by the new graphic display.
The converters also impress with extremely low latency values, which are around 5 and 6 samples for AD and DA (for details see manual chapter 40.2).
Furthermore, 75 dB gain range are excellent values for the mic preamps. Such high gain values were previously reserved for flagship interfaces.
BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub14