What are the quietest Thunderbolt audio interfaces available?
| Product ⇅ | Price ⇅ | I/O Count ⇅ | Number of Channels ⇅ | Sample Rate (Hz) ⇅ | Bit Depth (bits) ⇅ | Latency (ms) ⇅ | Thunderbolt Version ⇅ | Power Supply ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Apogee Element 24 (Thunderbolt Audio Interface) (open box listing)
US
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£449.27 ≈ | 10 | 2 | 192 | 24 | 1.41 | 1 | ✓ |
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Apogee Element 24 is a Thunderbolt audio I/O box for Mac with 2 analog inputs and 4 analog outputs, supporting recording up to 192kHz/24-bit. It includes two mic preamps with selectable 48V phantom power and provides ultra-low latency performance of 1.41ms round-trip at 96kHz (32 buffer). ★ Ideal forFor the quietest Thunderbolt audio interfaces, Element 24 is designed for low-noise conversion with Apogee AD/DA up to 192kHz/24-bit and specified signal-to-noise performance (Dyn. Range 119dB A-weighted for A/D and 123dB A-weighted for D/A), while also keeping latency low (1.41ms at 96kHz).
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Apogee Element 46 (Thunderbolt Audio Interface)
US
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£675.79 ≈ | 12 in x 14 out | 4 analog inputs and 6 analog outputs | 192 kHz | 24-bit | 1.41 ms round-trip at 96 kHz with a 32 buffer setting | — | ✓ |
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The Apogee Element 46 is a Thunderbolt audio interface for Mac offering 4 analog inputs and 6 analog outputs in a compact box. It supports up to 192 kHz at 24-bit conversion and provides optical ADAT/SMUX/S-PDIF I/O plus word clock sync. It's designed for ultra-low latency monitoring using the Thunderbolt driver. ★ Ideal forFor the quietest Thunderbolt audio interfaces available, the Element 46 delivers 1.41 ms round-trip latency at 96 kHz with a 32 buffer setting and uses dedicated low-latency Thunderbolt driver performance, which helps you run lower buffer settings without sacrificing stability.
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Universal Audio Apollo Twin X (Thunderbolt 3)
US
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£754.32 ≈ | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | ✓ |
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The Apollo Twin X Thunderbolt 3 is a compact 10x6 desktop audio interface with Unison-enabled mic preamps and Hi-Z instrument input, supporting real-time UAD processing on Apollo DSP for near-zero latency tracking. It provides monitor control with talkback and expands digital I/O via ADAT optical. It's aimed at home-studio and mobile producers who want pro-grade conversion and DSP-based recording/mixing in a single desktop unit. ★ Ideal forFor the quietest Thunderbolt audio interfaces, Apollo Twin X Thunderbolt 3's elite-class 24-bit/192 kHz conversion and onboard DSP allow near-zero-latency monitoring while keeping the computer from doing the real-time work, reducing the chance of needing higher gain/extra processing during tracking.
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