O.K, here are the final results for the current series of testing.
Some notes on the latest interfaces tested.
RME HDSPe AIO - 3.024 MC On/Off - After the initial testing found that the 3.24 driver was not performing as well as the earlier 3.085 , it was suggested by M.C of RME that the new Optimize Multiclient Mixing option could be the variable in play. Sure enough when the option is disabled the performance was identical to the earlier driver. I have listed the RME HDSPe AIO with both the option On and Off.
The MOTU 424 PCI / 24 I/O delivered exceptional performance right down to 032 samples , and despite the overall numbers being below that of the RME reference card, if you take a closer look the I / O and RTL are measurably lower as the MOTU uses very minimal padding on the buffers. By taking that into account using the RTL % rating of 1.17 , it drew level with the reference RME HDSPe.
The MOTU's have always drawn mixed reports on Windows and I know first hand how flaky the cards can be having 3 different revs of 424 card across the bench in the last few weeks, and its a crap shoot whether the respective revs will work on current systems , but the drivers themselves have always been good with the PCI/PCIe cards, ( as long as you don't use external clocking- LOL )
The ESI U46XL was the USB audio interface that I had hinted at a while back that surprised me and the results speak for themselves. Yes the reported latencies are nominal and it has the oddity of having the highest buffer setting of 256 ( actually one step higher to 288 ) , so I had to do some juggling with calculating % ratings , but seeing that this whole exercise is about LLP , I gave ESI some rope with the interface not having a 512 setting. Great performing little interface , especially for it being USB2.
Staying with ESI, the Maya 44e is a mixed bag, respectable performance although beaten by the U46 , but the card has an issue where the driver has to be reset in Cubendo every time you open a project with any buffer setting below 512 ??? !!
PITA - Still waiting to hear back from ESI who have initially said they can not reproduce it.
The Steinberg MR816 delivered decent overall performance, latency settings available all the way down to 032 samples, mind you that's with the help of some extra padding on the output buffers, which resulted in higher RTL values and subsequent lower comparative RTL %. The 032 setting is more Window dressing IMO.
SSL Nucleus - the results don't tell the whole story as the unit is so inconsistent across multiple systems and even respective USB ports. The results are pretty decent but it took some major arm wrestling to settle the system to achieve those results. The driver panel still looks like the vanilla OEM breadboard and the odd non standard buffer sizes are a sore point if you want to try and use it with Protools 9 - which it is advertised as being compatible with - as PT9 simply will not accept the odd buffers.
The Mackie Onyx actually performed O.K for a Mixer/FW combo, DAWbench DSP were quite good, but it collapsed under the VI testing - the OEM controller definately feels different to some of the Dice variations, so not sure what Mackie are using there.
The Midas Venice was an interesting one, basically a mid size live desk with a Dice FW hacked into the back - I/O - RTL were identical and performance was close enough to identical to the Focusrite Sapphire , so its obviously using the same ( poor performing ) controller.
AVID Mbox 3 is identical to the M-Audio FTU range with slightly better I/O and RTL , not too hard to see that AVID are using the same under bonnet components across the AVID Mbox 3 Pro / Mbox 3 / Profire / FTU ranges.
AVID HD Native card under ASIO , well to say it was an interesting experience is an understatement. Input buffers are double the usual, Output are reporting Nominal , overall performance isn't too bad right down to 032 samples, but there were some major hoops to activate the ASIO driver in Cubase . i.e : needing to toggle off the ASIO driver back to the Generic and then back again to simply wake the driver on every session load .
Its obvious to me that the card is specifically geared to Protools , the ASIO driver really being only for convenience for some compatibility with other DAW hosts , so its not really a player in the current comparative.
Thats it until the next round..
Peace