VEPro has resolved most of the issues I had with the use of lots of virtual instruments and plug-ins.
I'm still going to upgrade/update my interface, though, just to move on from FireWire and get an interface with better converters.
Narrowed my options to...
UAD Apollo Twin Mk2 Quad (Thunderbolt)
RME UCX
RME Babyface Pro
RME RayDat (combined via adat with a Focusrite Saffire Pro 14 in stand-alone)
I was considering the Presonus Quantum/Quantum 2 but I've read a lot of people have had issues with pops/clicks and clock issues after recent Windows updates. There's even soomething about it on their website.
I'm finding it hard to choose one that hits the spot within the budget.
I'm not very keen on using a USB interface. In the past I had lots of problems with USB 2 interfaces.
Had a Focusrite Scarlett interface and Steinberg UR22&44, all resulted in issues and blue screens. I've never had a single blue screen using the Saffire Pro 14.
I also don't like the idea of something relying on consistent I/O sharing a bus with x other items. That's that I liked about FireWire, you could just have the audio interface on there, not sharing with anything else.
In a way, Thunderbolt could by like that but I've read so many people having issues with Thunderbolt interfaces on PC under Windows 10.
I have an ASUS X99-Deluxe II motherboard with the Asus EX3 Thunderbolt card.
So this puts a question mark over the Apollo... will it work, how well will it work, will it be reliable?
I think this would be my top choice IF I knew it was going to be okay, just because it would be an upgrade, newer converters, and a doorway into UAD plug-ins (which is why I'd go for the QUAD).
The Babyface Pro is a good price point but it's going to be used in one place and it's footprint with wires all around really puts me off. I don't need portability, plus I think this only has balanced outputs for 1 set of monitors. USB again, but perhaps mitigated by some of the best (if not the best) drivers out there.
The UCX... not sure, how old is the UCX now? Again, it's a USB/FireWire. Anyone got a UCX?
The last option is a bit different.. using the digital-only RME RayDat, direct onto the motherboard. But I'd have to then get a solution for the pre-amps, headphones and converters (was thinking of an interface with stand alone mode and ADAT... or other ideas??)
So, I'm really not sure which way to go?
Any ideas / advice / experiences?
Thanks