M-Audio Audiophile USB - 4 Input / 4 Output USB Audio Interface with MIDI I/O for Mac and PC

The Audiophile USB is a USB audio and MIDI interface for Mac and PC based around the Audiophile 2496, and delivers 24-bit/96kHz quality with great dynamic range and excellent noise specifications. To achieve the later, the unit uses AC-powered components that deliver better fidelity than USB bus-powered circuitry.

The interface provides two analog line inputs and two outputs, along with a coaxial S/PDIF digital input and output. All four channels support 24-bit data width and any sampling rate from 8kHz to 96kHz. The coaxial digital outputs are multi-channel surround sound capable (Dolby, DTS etc.), making the Audiophile USB the perfect "high end" sound interface for digital recording, analog or digital transfers, mixing and mastering, as well as DVD and home theater applications.

Line-level signal from an instrument, mixer or pre-amp are accommodated using 1/4" phone jacks, while the outputs of a stereo receiver can connect to the units RCA phono jacks. Digital audio signal from a DAT, MiniDisc, CD or external A/D D/A converters communicate via the coaxial S/PDIF input and output. Control of all hardware setting can be achieved by using the included Audiophile USB Control Panel software.

The Audiophile USB also includes MIDI I/O connectors for use with external MIDI equipment such as sound modules and drum machines, or to synchronize computer software to external devices via MIDI time code. The unit is compatible with all major software programs running on PC and Macintosh computers, and the included Mac and PC drivers allow for selection of bit depth and sample rate (up to 96k.)