[ojyarumaru]

Hey guys, I'm looking for a soundcard/external dac that can drive studio monitors (KRK RP5's) and headphones (AKG K81DJ, iems) from my desktop computer. I record some acoustic guitar and vocals from time to time so it'd be great if there was a mic in option.
I searched numerous threads and saw that people recommended ASUS XONAR STX and EMU 0404, but they were from pretty old threads (2 years+ or so). Do you guys have any suggestions?

 

[Meliboeus]

0404 Usb is the way to go, it has two decent quality mic preamps with phantom power, high grade A\D and D\A converters, for a cheap price.
 

 

[RonaldDumsfeld]

The E-MU 0404 was first out of the box with a quality, affordable USB 2.0 audio interface. It's still excellent.
 
There are many exciting competing products now appearing on a regular basis. 
 
I like the look of the Focusrite saffire 6 http://www.focusrite.com/uk/products/audio_interfaces/saffire_6_usb
 
It does everything you ask for costs the same as the E-MU but crucially allows you to output 2 independent stereo pairs simultaneously. 
 
You might not appreciate it yet but this is very, very useful. Not just for DJ style cueing . You can be on Skype or in game  on a headset and still be playing bit perfect audio on loudspeakers. Feed different signals to different rooms. Record one source whilst listening to a second. etc etc.
 
If you are able to spend a little more money then take a look at this little beauty.
 
http://www.rme-audio.de/en_products_babyface.php

 

[ojyarumaru]

RonaldDumsfeld,
 
Haha I definitely do not have that much money to spend on the rme..
 
Would this have as much capability as the Focusrite Saffire 6?
 
http://www.instrumentpro.com/P-FOCSAFFIRE?source=froogle
http://www.avguide.com/review/tas-194-bel-canto-usb-link-2496-and-focusrite-saffire-format-converters?page=1
 
Thanks!

 

[RonaldDumsfeld]

Don't know much about the straight Saffire except it's got more channels in (4) and more channels out (10), uses a firewire port instead of USB, comes with an excellent software bundle (EQ, compressor, amp modelling, reverb & 5 channel mixer) and costs over twice as much as the Saffire 6.
 
Looks cool if you can afford to spend spend that much.

 

[ojyarumaru]

I managed to find a good deal on ebay for less than the price of the Saffire 6. Waiting on it to arrive now. Hopefully it will exceed my expectations.
 
Thanks for your help!!!