It's been a while since I last viewed RME products, but I'm pretty sure the Babyface used to sit over $1000 here in Australia (See Soudcorp, RubberMonkey), I can see a a couple on Ebay for $797 shipped too. This model has been superseded by the new Babyface Pro, but nonetheless is still a neat audio interface.
This is a very high end unit designed for low latency music production. If you just want to listen to music, buy something cheaper.
If you're someone producing music and you're sick of latency problems, instability in drivers and bad support that ends when a new windows comes out, you buy a product from RME and you forget about all that because RME are phenemonal for that.
Of course there are cheaper options - but after a while of dealing with all that above (and they've all happened to me), it starts to be just easier to get RME gear and forget about gear problems.
RME gear is excellent and well worth the money. This is professional equipment, you can't compare with a sound blaster.
I have a Babyface and I can honestly say that they are one of the best audio interfaces available. The preamps and AD/DA converters are second to none. Bought it for around $1000 a few years ago so it's a great price!
Obviously you haven't touched a Fireface. Babyface's noise floor is not that great.
I bought the Babyface for the ADAT compatibility but I've heard both the Babyface and the UCX have the same characteristic sound
Yep, ADAT and ASIO mixer are the main points to justify Babyface's ridiculous price. And FYI, Fireface's preamps and ADC/DAC are better than Babyface's.
Where do Mboxes actually sit in terms of audio interface ranking? I know mboxes are really popular, but how would they compare to these Babyface sound cards?
I am also interested in what the workable options are in a lower price range then this. I know latency and driver issues are abundant in cheap usb interfaces but is there anything in between?
The focusrite scarlett range of interfaces are great bang-for-buck
I just looked up cheap audio interfaces and this was the first thing that came up, look like it will do me fine
Not an amazing price. But possibly the cheapest by a few dollars at the moment. It is a well regarded unit. But RME have released some amazing new products lately. Including the Babyface Pro and even more:
https://www.gearslutz.com/board/superbooth-16-berlin-musikme…
for a USB sound card? Is this a joke? A troll?
Ebay devices are $20, Sound blaster $120. But I suppose this one exudes more warmth and tonal depth, with just the right level of tannin?