USB DAC with 2 pair of analog RCA outputs

[RonaldDumsfeld]

Would running from the analog outputs from the Focusrite into the analog in on the Element be an okay idea

 
Sure. Why not?
 
Use the analogue outputs 3-4 (RCA) on the 2i4 to the analogue ins on the Element. These are fixed line level unbalanced outputs so there is no chance of you overloading the line ins and you can use either the analogue control on the Element or your DAW to control headphone volume.

 

[Mistershifter]

   
Sure. Why not?
 
Use the analogue outputs 3-4 (RCA) on the 2i4 to the analogue ins on the Element. These are fixed line level unbalanced outputs so there is no chance of you overloading the line ins and you can use either the analogue control on the Element or your DAW to control headphone volume.

They're not fixed outputs, which is what draws my concern. The output from those connections changes if you turn the volume knob on the front.

 

[RonaldDumsfeld]

If Outputs 1 and 2 are used, Outputs 3 and 4 are free to be used for another purpose, such as
connecting to an additional recording device or an additional pair of monitors. However, please note
that the balanced versions of channels 1 and 2 – i.e., the signals at the two ¼” (6.35 mm) jack sockets
and the unbalanced versions of channels 1 and 2 – are affected in level by the the large front panel
MONITOR volume control. The signals at outputs 3 – 4 phono (RCA) sockets are at (full) fixed level,
and thus if you use these for monitoring, you will have to control the volume either at source (within
the DAW itself), or by adjusting the volume on an external amplifier.

 
 
Emphasis mine.

 

[Mistershifter]

   
 
Emphasis mine.

I really appreciate the reply and info!
 
I'm having a problem, that outputs 3/4 don't output anything unless I'm working in a DAW (Ableton) and I activate them instead of 1/2. I can't get the interface to output via both simultaneously. Furthermore, when I'm working outside of my DAW and just playing iTunes/Vox, outputs 3/4 do nothing.

I'm wondering if I'm doing something wrong, or if that's just the way that the Focusrite interface works (only being able to manually select outputs 3/4 via a DAW).

 

[Mistershifter]

I got in touch with Focusrite tech support. Apparently outputs 3/4 can only be accessed via a DAW, and I'd need to upgrade to the 6i6, which has additional software which controls routing.
 
I'm going to sell my 2i4 and get the 6i6.

 

[RonaldDumsfeld]

Mmmh. Well that does surprise me. Thanks for taking he trouble for posting the info.
 
I must admit I don't own any Focusrite gear myself but all my interfaces (MOTU, SPL, Native Instruments and M-Audio) allow simultaneous use of all inputs and outputs in Windows no problem at all. They appear for selection in Windows > Sound > Playback Devices ready for use when using WDM drivers Not only that but you can use any ASIO driver to set up our own channel mappings or even use a return or loopback to obtain the same effect. Odd that Focusrite is the odd man out here. I'd ask for a second opinion (Tablix?? where are you) except Im not going to argue with Focusrite support! Disappointing if true but I suppose t that price something has to give.
 
btw Given the value of the rest of your signal chain (inc $2,000 headphones) I'd suggest you might also want to consider the MOTU Microbook or even the Audio Express as well as the 6i6. It doesn't cost mch more but comes with the same software (Cuemix) and a built in DSP chip that MOTU supply with their top of the range $1,000++ broadcast standard units. This will knock your proverbial socks off.  Guaranteed. Or I'll refund you the diference myself.

 

[Mistershifter]

  Mmmh. Well that does surprise me. Thanks for taking he trouble for posting the info.
 
I must admit I don't own any Focusrite gear myself but all my interfaces (MOTU, SPL, Native Instruments and M-Audio) allow simultaneous use of all inputs and outputs in Windows no problem at all. They appear for selection in Windows > Sound > Playback Devices ready for use when using WDM drivers Not only that but you can use any ASIO driver to set up our own channel mappings or even use a return or loopback to obtain the same effect. Odd that Focusrite is the odd man out here. I'd ask for a second opinion (Tablix?? where are you) except Im not going to argue with Focusrite support! Disappointing if true but I suppose t that price something has to give.
 
btw Given the value of the rest of your signal chain (inc $2,000 headphones) I'd suggest you might also want to consider the MOTU Microbook or even the Audio Express as well as the 6i6. It doesn't cost mch more but comes with the same software (Cuemix) and a built in DSP chip that MOTU supply with their top of the range $1,000++ broadcast standard units. This will knock your proverbial socks off.  Guaranteed. Or I'll refund you the diference myself.

Unfortunately on the Mac, the Focusrite has no control panel or settings that you can adjust unless you step up to the 6i6 and download their software. The 2i2 and 2i4 both don't have any software where you can adjust routing outside of a DAW. Oh well.
 
I apprecaite the advice in regards to the MOTU gear. I'll certainly look into it! I want the best sound quality I can get, without breaking the bank. I'm short on funds after breaking the bank on the Audeze's.

 

[Mistershifter]

  Mmmh. Well that does surprise me. Thanks for taking he trouble for posting the info.
 
I must admit I don't own any Focusrite gear myself but all my interfaces (MOTU, SPL, Native Instruments and M-Audio) allow simultaneous use of all inputs and outputs in Windows no problem at all. They appear for selection in Windows > Sound > Playback Devices ready for use when using WDM drivers Not only that but you can use any ASIO driver to set up our own channel mappings or even use a return or loopback to obtain the same effect. Odd that Focusrite is the odd man out here. I'd ask for a second opinion (Tablix?? where are you) except Im not going to argue with Focusrite support! Disappointing if true but I suppose t that price something has to give.
 
btw Given the value of the rest of your signal chain (inc $2,000 headphones) I'd suggest you might also want to consider the MOTU Microbook or even the Audio Express as well as the 6i6. It doesn't cost mch more but comes with the same software (Cuemix) and a built in DSP chip that MOTU supply with their top of the range $1,000++ broadcast standard units. This will knock your proverbial socks off.  Guaranteed. Or I'll refund you the diference myself.

I got my Focusrite 6i6 today and all of my problems are solved. I now have an extra set of line outputs, that are line signal and not variable, running to my headphone amp. Sound quality is great.

I may look into upgrading to a higher quality unit, maybe something from MOTU, in the future, but I'm going to put my money into more important things first. Thanks again for your replies.

 

[mopatop]

  Virtually any audio interface above the most basic will do what you want OP. This is a very common requirement.
 
Focusrite Scarlet 2i4 is a well known and popular example.

 
Have you actually run this device in this configuration? I purchased for this purpose but I can't make it operate like this, when acting as a Windows sound device.

 

[dudlew]

A solution is to gt a preamp with a tape loop. Its how I am running my setup now. Dac to preamp. Preamp to speaker amp,. Preamp tapeout to headphone amp. Works for me. The tape outs act as a non variable output and bypasses all tone controls etc of the pre.

So in theory. This allows u to daisy chain the preamps.

 

[estimatedpropht]

Have you looked at the Schiit Audio Gungnir?  (http://schiit.com/products/gungnir)
 
It's $800, which is more than I want to spend.  I'm also need a DAC with dual-RCA outputs.  One set of RCA cables would be connected to my desktop speakers, the second set to a stereo amplifier (a Rogue Audio Sphinx), which powers my floor standing loudspeakers (Linn Kaber's).  I don't need simultaneous output; I just want the option to either play music on my powered desktop speakers, or switch to the Rogue if I'm playing hi-rez ALAC or FLAC files.
 
*I can't believe I'm the only person looking for something like this.

 

[RonaldDumsfeld]

Another simple method of duplicating your stereo output is to use the excellent free ASIO4ALL utility.
 
Using the popular foobar2000 media player as the example. 
 
In file > preferences > output > ASIO : select ASIO4ALL as the output WDM device then create a custom channel mappings template. (add new). Edit that template so that left and right audio goes to your preferred channels 1 and 2 respectively. Also send left and right audio to your preferred output channels 3 and 4. Click apply and you are now good to go.
 
This even works using your standard motherboard built in 7.1 output device. You don't even need an audio interface. Map left and right audio to the soundcard left and right as usual and select another pair of outputs (say rear right and rear left) to also carry stereo left and right. Plug you speakers into  the regular outputs as usual and plug you headphone amp or whatever into the rear left and rear right sockets. Viola. Stereo output duplicated at no extra expense or need to read a pesky audio interface manual.

 

[mopatop]

I ended up using an HRT micoStreamer for this with some quality J2P cables from QED.