Curious what you would do here.

Like many, been waiting forever for the m1x macbook pros (now on the way apparently).

I really wanted to get a thunderbolt interface to go with the macbook pro instead of a USB interface.

My plan was the RME Fireface UFX+ based on RME's rock solid drivers, reputation, and confirmation that all of their software/drivers run natively on M1. But now I have confirmed with the distributor that due to supply chain issues/chip shortages, no UFX+ are expected to ship before end of this year into next year. So that is a no go for me.

The ensemble thunderbolt is end of life now/no longer produced. So the RME seemed to be the most elegant solution currently for thunderbolt.

What would you do here if you wanted a thunderbolt interface? I really am not liking what looks like chaos on UAD forums and the type of support UAD appears to give/not give. Maybe I'm wrong? Am I overestimating the benefits of thunderbolt for a home studio?

I am thinking of scrapping my hopes for a thunderbolt interface and going with:
Symphony desktop
RME Babyface Pro FS
RME UCX II
duet 3
Or just try the Apollo X6 and wait for the drivers to be updated?

What would you do?

I'll only be tracking 1-2 mics at a time; the rest in Logic; Thunderbolt was attractive to me for latency and idea of taking load off the CPU. I know UFX+ was overkill in some ways - I just wanted the TB. I don't really understand if there's a benefit with a thunderbolt interface in terms of running more AU's/VSTs.

Damn, you just confirmed what I was suspecting. I am in the market for this device. Looks like it is waiting time then.

I was in it for the amount of inputs I can get from it via the various expansion methods. It does not sound like you need a lot of inputs so maybe one of the other RME devices would work for you. Their performance over USB is very respectable. In fact my plan was to use the UFX+ over USB. I currently have an RME HDSPe AIO PCIe card and the UFX+ over USB edges that out in latency numbers.

I have been very happy with the current RME device so I am willing to wait for the UFX+ to come back around. In your case maybe the Babyface Pro as a stop gap measure. Those seem popular enough that you could probably sell it once the UFX+ starts shipping again.

Not sure what chaos you are referring to on the UAD forum. I have a X6, X8 on my main rig and a Solo I use with my M1 MBP, all without drama. The drivers are AS native, the plugins and console app are not yet, although I have had no issues running them under Rosetta on the MBP. I have had zero issues with the Solo on the M1 MBP. I'm certain the X6 or X8 would be fine too but I haven't had the inclination to try them (main computer is iMP).

I'm not sure TB is necessary unless you are chasing the last 1ms of latency. I love the sound of the Apollos and I have a long time investment in UAD plugins, so paying the "DSP tax" is not an issue for me.

The UCX II or BF Pro FS are solid choices as well. I also have a BF Pro (non FS) and the RTL on it and the Solo are very very close (can't recall the numbers, but one was slightly better on output, the other slightly better on output - RTL as close on both).

Just something to think about as well...
I use a UFX+ I have a TB3 PC (ASUS MB with header card). UFX+ is only TB2. so you would need a converter which wasn't worth it so I just run it USB3 and get nice stable low latency.

Ive been running an mk1 apollo twin thunderbolt on an M1 mini since they launched with no problems.

This is great info I appreciate your sharing this experience! I am guilty of chasing latency and was willing to pay almost 3k for that last 1ms. It was such a joy recording guitars with low latency in a studio. I never wanted to experience that latency again.

I think I just saw random threads on the uad forum with people having installation challenges, having to change the security settings, etc. Maybe those were closer to the initial availability of M1, although the compatibility page still has notes about all that, as well as failed Logic AU scans. The x6 was actually what I was looking at. I did not know the drivers were AS native based on their confusing M1 compatibility page.

I may take this to heart and get a Babyface pro FS as a stopgap, or the UCX II. I have no need for mobility so thought maybe UCX II made sense. My only other option was the Lynx Aurora (n) 8-TB3 at $3k.

Thanks for this - Yeah, I jumped the gun here and had the converter and the pro thunderbolt cable waiting in the wings because I was so ready for all this. So I'm at almost $200 just on cabling.

Admittedly, I’m not a latency chaser, but I switched from the Fireface 800 to the Digiface USB plus the Ferrofish Pulse 16 and I have absolutely zero complaints. I haven’t done a full 16-channel tracking session yet, but USB3 has more than enough bandwidth for it, so I’m not concerned. Sounds like you’re already invested in TB though.

Just bought the last RME UFX+ used off reverb.