I'm replacing my nearly-decade-old Mbox 2 Mini. Thanks to a lightning strike, I've actually replaced a bunch of stuff. A 2009 (first gen nVidia Core 2 Duo) Mac Mini has been replaced with a current-revision Core i7, my display and studio monitors have been replaced, even my iLok has been replaced with a newer model. I run Pro Tools 11 (I'd upgraded to Mavericks on the old Mini and while it dragged a bit at times, it ran). All that's left is to pick an audio interface. I'd like to keep it around $200 bucks or so and there's a bunch in that price range.

My requirements:

* Compatible with OS X 10.9
* One decent microphone pre-amp, though 2 would be a welcome improvement
* Phantom power for a Rode NT1a
* Compatible with Pro Tools 11
* iPad compatibility a plus but not required.
* USB preferred (because I expect this to last as long as the MBox 2 Mini and I expect to replace the Mac at some point before that)

So in that range is a bunch of stuff.

Presonus VSL22
Focusrite 2i2 or 2i4
Avid Fast Track Duo (unique squared has them on eBay for $140 right now)
M-Audio M-Track Plus
Steinberg something-or-other
Roland quad capture (might be a little higher than I want to pay)
Behringer something-or-other (LOLOLOLOLOLOL please don't recommend this)
The list goes on and on...

As you can see, I'm just absolutely drowning in choices. Help me GS community. You're my only hope.

Have a look at the Roland Duo Capture EX, it does everything on your list including ipad.

The preamps are nice and it can even be used stand alone, battery powered, if you needed to use it in the field with a portable recorder.

The Steinberg UR22 has excellent reviews and does all that you require.

vsl22 all the way

I have a Focusrite 2i2 and like it a lot -- I have a similar setup to yours.

I'm shopping an interface too and I keep coming back to the Focusright interfaces.

That's kind of where I am, too.

It's kind of amusing that of the 4 recommendations in this thread, there have been 4 different interfaces recommended. Which says to me that there's a lot of sameness at this level, and I guess that makes sense.

I appreciate all the responses. I'm probably going to buy here in the next couple of days, and unless I get a heavy outpouring of support for something other than a Focusrite, it'll probably be a 6i6. The fact it has separate line inputs on the back will make the few times I want to use some of the sounds on my older Motif easier to route, so it gets a slight advantage over the 2i2, and B&H has them for $220. On the Mbox I had to unplug whatever was plugged in and then plug in the left/right channels on the Motif. With this I could leave it plugged in all the time. Dual headphones would be nice, too.

I think the 2i2 sounds fairly bad, and that + the 22VSL have inputs too hot to record most direct electric guitars.

I'd go for a mackie onyx blackjack.

ur22 or duo capture if you need battery power ipad native compatibility

But, did you saw Yamaha MG10XU mixer? It has usb audio - 24-bit / 192kHz 2in / 2out, supporting iPad and also has D-PRE mic preamps
Just one thing i cant find, is it like having yamaha mixer and lightweight steinberg interface in one? If yes, it is waay worth 200 papers

That yamaha mg10xu looks nice, only thing for me - no midi...anyone know anything similar with midi?

some are using Akai EIE as 4in some sort of mixer with powered usd hub, midi in/out (Pro version is the most problematic, from what i know)

+1 for the Mackie and Focusrite.