The volume control on
the DAC I bought in February has started cracking and it the L/R balance dances around all over the place, which is odd because they wouldn't run the analogue audio through the potentiometer instead of using it for digital control, would they? Surely not?
Anyway I decided to get an audio interface, something that has independent headphone control as well as giving me MIDI in/out for future use. I looked at the
MOTU M2 and, while it ticked all of the boxes and the screen was nice, I didn't like the idea of having to turn it off every day to avoid having the LCD on the entire time.
Focusrite interfaces are nice but they only have 1/4" balanced outputs and I wanted something with RCA to avoid using converters. Remember this! I also didn't want to throw huge amounts of money at this yet and the MOTU/Focusrite interfaces are both quite expensive, so I got a
Behringer UMC204HD. I know the quality of their kit is questionable, we'll see.
Now, hindsight is a funny thing. I set it up not long ago and quickly found that the RCA plugs are line level only and not controlled by the front monitor volume knob. They are on the MOTU at least. So I had to scrounge some 1/4" RCA splitters anyway, which I had, fortunately. Then I tried the headphone socket and found DT770 PROs work fine but my Sony earbuds that I usually use can't handle the signal at the right volume (presumably an impedance thing) and I've had to plug them back in through their split off RCA line and level control. Not the end of the world, now I can plug in the DT770s without unplugging the Sony headset I suppose.
Neither of the reasons I bought this specific device have worked out but it sounds great and I can actually adjust the volume without it crackling and bouncing around. I like the option to plug in a 'proper' mic or line input on the front too and I'd like to get a used MIDI keyboard, it's still the cheapest new device with MIDI and the only one to have activity lights on the front (something I'm told is very handy for troubleshooting). it feels decently put together too, better than I was expecting.
It's currently held under my desk with a bungee cord is a less convenient spot but I'm not fixing it permanently until I'm happy that it does the job.
Someone designed a bracket and put it on Thingiverse, it has some interesting overhangs.