The Computer Audio Interface Guide
This guide covers computer audio interfaces (sometimes referred to as "I/O"s or "breakout boxes") for PC or Mac. These provide audio input, output and additional features which improve upon any built-in audio jack. This guide does not cover internal PCI cards, just external connectors (USB, FireWire etc). See the bottom of this page for an intro to the terminology and trends.
(Sort by clicking a header. Filter by selecting a port. 238 interfaces match current criteria.)
Make | Model | Port |
Mic Pres![]() |
Bit/Sample Rate | List Price | Shop New | Shop Used | Notes | Details | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Xitel | MD-Port DG2 | USB 1 | $70.00 |
Xitel MD-Port DG2 |
Toslink optical output, to connect to an optical digital device. No analog. |
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Xitel | MD-Port I/O | USB 1 | $70.00 |
Xitel MD-Port I/O |
Analog input, toslink optical output. |
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Griffin | iMic (original) | USB 1 | $35.00 | Shop New |
iMic (original) |
USB, 2 channel in and out on 1/8 inch jacks, switchable mic/line input. This has been upgraded at least once, still called iMic. |
Details | |||
Griffin | USB Audio Hub | USB 1 | $39.00 | Shop New |
USB Audio Hub |
Not an audio interface. USB, 4-port hub optimized for use with USB audio devices. Discontinued. |
Details | |||
Xitel | HiFi-Link | USB 1 | 20bit | $50.00 | Shop New |
Xitel HiFi-Link |
1/8" out only, comes with 30 foot 1/8"-2RCA cable |
Details | ||
Telex | P-500 | USB 1 | $60.00 | Shop New |
Telex P-500 |
Analog-to-digital input only? Discontinued, manufacturer website was formerly... |
Details | |||
Onkyo | DW-S500 | USB 1 | $400.00 | Shop New |
Onkyo DW-S500 |
Stereo system with USB input, bookshelf sized. |
Details | |||
Emagic | A62 m | USB 1 | 24bit/96.0k | $399.00 | Shop New |
Emagic A62 m |
Two analog outputs, six analog inputs, S/PDIF, headphone out, built-in USB hub, master/slave clock source switch, adjustable zero-... |
Details | ||
Emagic | A26 | USB 1 | 24bit/96.0k | $399.00 | Shop New |
Emagic A26 |
Six analog outputs, two analog inputs, S/PDIF, headphone out, master/slave clock source switch, adjustable zero-latency hardware... |
Details | ||
Ego Systems (ESI) | Waveterminal U2A | USB 1 | 24bit/48.0k | $249.00 |
Ego Systems (ESI) Waveterminal U2A |
2in-2-out analog, S/PDIF coaxial & optical digital I/O with sample rate conversion. |
Details | |||
Ego Systems (ESI) | Waveterminal U24 | USB 1 | 24bit/48.0k | $249.00 |
Ego Systems (ESI) Waveterminal U24 |
2in-2-out analog (1/4" - unbalanced), headphone amp, S/PDIF coaxial & optical digital I/O with digital format and sample rate... |
Details | |||
Ego Systems (ESI) | GIGAPort AG | USB 1 | 24bit | $199.00 |
Ego Systems (ESI) GIGAPort AG |
8 channel analog output, S/PDIF out, headphone out. OS X drivers available. |
Details | |||
Ego Systems (ESI) | GIGAPort DG | USB 1 | 16bit | $199.00 |
Ego Systems GIGAPort DG |
ADAT 8-channel output only. |
Details | |||
M-Audio | Sonica | USB 1 | 24bit/96.0k | $90.00 | Shop New |
M-Audio Sonica Theater |
1/8" analog line out, S/PDIF optical out which does Linear PCM, AC3, or DTS. |
Details | ||
M-Audio | AudioSport Quattro | USB 1 | $350.00 |
M-Audio AudioSport Quattro |
4 in, 4, out, MIDI i/o, comes with Logic Delta software. Expandable via the... |
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Sound Devices | USBPre | USB 1 | $695.00 |
Sound Devices USBPre |
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Radikal Technologies | SAC-2.2 | USB 1 | $1849.00 |
Radikal Technologies SAC-2.2 |
Details | |||||
M-Audio | Audiophile USB | USB 1 | 24bit/96.0k | $249.00 | Shop New |
M-Audio Audiophile USB |
2 analog I/O, audio and MIDI interface, S/PDIF, headphone out |
Details | ||
Xitel | Pro HiFi-Link | USB 1 | $99.00 |
Xitel Pro HiFi-Link |
2 channel RCA analog out, S/PDIF coax output, TOSLink optical output, comes with (3) 30 foot cables: 1/8"-2RCA, S/PDIF coax, TOSLink... |
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Griffin | PowerWave | USB 1 | $99.00 | Shop New |
PowerWave |
USB, 2 in, 2 out, 15 watt amplified speaker output. Discontinued. |
Details |