What are the best professional-grade Thunderbolt audio interfaces?
| Product ⇅ | Price ⇅ | I/O Count ⇅ | Number of Channels ⇅ | Sample Rate (Hz) ⇅ | Bit Depth (bits) ⇅ | Latency (ms) ⇅ | Thunderbolt Version ⇅ | Power Supply ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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RME Fireface 802 FS AE USB 2.0 Audio Interface - Black Anniversary Edition
US
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£1174.14 ≈ | 60 | 60 | 28 kHz-200 kHz | 24 bit | — | — | ✓ |
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The RME Fireface 802 FS AE is a 60-channel professional USB 2.0 interface with operation up to 192 kHz and a built-in TotalMix FX DSP mixer for latency-free routing and monitoring. It includes multiple analog and digital I/O (including ADAT, AES/EBU, and S/PDIF) plus DC-coupled analog outputs for CV/gate control. It suits studios and live setups that need stable, high-channel-count audio with advanced internal DSP mixing. ★ Ideal forFor best professional-grade Thunderbolt interfaces, this model is still a top option when you need ultra-low latency monitoring and 60-channel, 24-bit up to 192 kHz operation with onboard DSP (TotalMix FX), but it is USB 2.0 rather than Thunderbolt. |
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Apogee Digital Symphony I/O MKII Thunderbolt 3 Interface with Two 16x16SE I/O Modules
US
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£7927.53 ≈ | 64 | 32 | 192 kHz | 24-bit | — | Thunderbolt 3 | ✓ |
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This modular Symphony I/O MKII Thunderbolt 3 system ships with two 16x16SE I/O modules, giving 32x32 analog audio plus coaxial S/PDIF I/O. It uses a touchscreen-controlled Thunderbolt 3 chassis for studio monitoring and routing in a professional Mac-based workflow. It is aimed at Dolby Atmos and immersive-audio capable studios that need high channel counts in a single Thunderbolt interface. ★ Ideal forFor professional-grade Thunderbolt audio interfaces, this model's Thunderbolt 3 chassis plus two 16x16SE modules provide 32x32 analog I/O with 24-bit conversion up to 192 kHz, fitting the high-channel, high-resolution needs of mix and mastering workflows. |
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