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Richard, do you have a way of testing whether the Focusrite driver is actually working at 24-bits? I should test this with Soundforge, because Soundforge will say if the device driver is incompatible with the chosen sample rate or bit depth. Unfortunately, my 2i2 unit is at the storage locker and I don't plan to be there for a while. I used it to do some recording at conferences of my former company. It did a good job, it could handle real-deal line level sources. Since I had my laptop there anyway, I used this as the backup recording system, using my Zoom H4n as the primary. The Zoom never let me down, so I always used its files to make the transcript audio files, but I did listen to the 2i2 results and thought it sounded fine. Given that Focusrite's mic preamps are well-reviewed, and give that this unit can deal with real-deal line level (as opposed to the Zoom, which needs a pad in front of it), the 2i2 is very appealing for someone building tracks in, say, Garage Band or similar software. At $99, it is a good deal. But, as you said, I was recommending a good-sounding laptop playback interface. -- Tom Fine ----- Original Message ----- From: "Richard L. Hess" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Saturday, November 28, 2015 7:43 PM Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Major laptop audio upgrade, cheap on sale > You know, Tom, that is a good question. I'm so used to the RME stuff being ASIO in and out that I > bought the 2i2 for some utility purposes I never checked. I installed the ASIO driver under W7 and > assumed it was working under ASIO in and out. > > I am now using Windows 10. The 2i2 driver I installed last December is still the current one and > it was right there under W10 for me in Samplitude. Samplitude says the driver connection is 96 kHz > 24 bits. I don't know if the Focusrite is somehow negating that, but Samplitude seems happy. > > I did take the 2i2 outputs and patch them into an input on the RME Fireface UFX and I could tell > some subtle loss of I don't know what--perhaps definition--between the file playing thru the UFX > vs. playing through the 2i2 into the UFX. > > I know I should run both into the analog inputs, but this was easier to do for a quick test. > > I suspect if you're looking for ultimate headphone driving with a laptop the Cambridge Audio unit > is a better choice as it's more compact and does 192. The 2i2 records. > > I should run ARTA through this and see what the numbers come up as. > > I also have an original BabyFace which probably sounds better than the 2i2...but, again, I haven't > done huge comparisons. I was mentioning the 2i2 as it sells for $100 US. (I paid about $135 CAD > for it). > > Cheers, > > Richard > > > On 11/28/2015 6:09 PM, Tom Fine wrote: >> Richard: >> >> see: >> http://us.focusrite.com/answerbase/is-my-interface-in-16-bit-or-24-bit-on-windows >> >> >> so I could never figure out how to make it playback 24-bit. Apparently, >> their ASIO driver is only for recording? >> >> -- Tom Fine >> >> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Richard L. Hess" >> <[log in to unmask]> >> To: <[log in to unmask]> >> Sent: Saturday, November 28, 2015 5:02 PM >> Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Major laptop audio upgrade, cheap on sale >> >> >>> Hi, Tom, >>> >>> It is very small and it's nice that it goes to 192 kHz. >>> >>> No one talks much about this: >>> http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Scarlett2i2 >>> >>> I bought one and have found no flaws in it the few times I've tested >>> it, which have yet to be exhaustive. It "only" goes up to 96 but it >>> also records as well as plays back. >>> >>> Cheers, >>> >>> Richard >>> >>> -- >>> Richard L. Hess email: [log in to unmask] >>> Aurora, Ontario, Canada 647 479 2800 >>> http://www.richardhess.com/tape/contact.htm >>> Quality tape transfers -- even from hard-to-play tapes. >>> >>> >> > -- > Richard L. Hess email: [log in to unmask] > Aurora, Ontario, Canada 647 479 2800 > http://www.richardhess.com/tape/contact.htm > Quality tape transfers -- even from hard-to-play tapes. > >