RCA vs 6.3mm, does it matter?

[MS-DOS]

Im considering buying one of these two:

 

https://www.thomann.de/gb/steinberg_ur24c.htm

https://www.thomann.de/gb/focusrite_scarlett_4i4_3rd_gen.htm

 

I like the UR24C better because of how it looks and probably they both sound the same, however, for some reason they are using RCA for the other 2 outs, wereas 4i4 uses 6.3 for all outs.

 

Does it matter? Im going to be pluging a pair of monitors and a Magni 3 Schiit.

 

Im concerned because I put the DAC and headphone amp on top of my case and this guy says balanced is better because it doesn't pick up interferences:

 

And there's this guy in the comments section:

Quote

i was using unbalanced cables for my studio monitors coming from my interface (M-audio Fast track pro --> Rokit Krk 5's) and every time i would click or open a program i could hear electronic noises coming from my computer. kind of like hearing static noise and ringing/buzzing every time the computer would work or do something. cant really explain it. but ever since switching to balanced cables (XLR --> TRS Connection) , my monitors have absolutely no static or hiss noise as if they were turned off. Now i get to hear only the sound of what im playing. such a great feeling lol

 

So yeah, wtf do I do?

 

[MS-DOS]

im trapped forever trying to decide this

[The Flying Sloth]

2 hours ago, MS-DOS said:

im trapped forever trying to decide this

Both interfaces have balanced outputs for if you're going to ever use it with studio monitors, now, I'd suggest you save some money and get the Behringer UMC404HD instead.

 

What microphone/inputs are you planning to use with these interfaces as they both only have two XLR inputs (Scarlett has second set of line ins on the back), if you only need the two inputs perhaps the UMC202HD is all you need, but, if you wanted the four inputs get the 404HD and if you're really sure you want one of the two you've chosen here's some more stuff to help you decide.

 

The line outputs on the Steinberg are going to different audio channels and off the top of my head I'd imagine one set doubles channels one and two (the main output channels) on the Steinberg but the Focusrite only has 4 outputs so you won't be able to use two output devices (not including headphones on the front).

 

Now, you won't need the Magni if you have an interface like that as they have dedicated headphone amplifiers inbuilt but if you really really want to use it, it doesn't use balanced connections so it wouldn't matter if you used it with the Steinberg, unless you sent the headphone output to the Magni (which is silly) you couldn't use the Magni with the Focusrite.

 

Again, I'd highly suggest you get the UMC404HD instead but if you're sure you want to spend the extra money for one of the others and you're sure you want to use the Magni (which is a silly thing to do) you have to pick the Steinberg unless you want to send a signal from the interface headphone amp to a second headphone amp (which again, is silly).

 

There are other options available and if you'd like to learn a little more about interfaces and microphones the link in my signature may be able to help. 

[MS-DOS]

16 hours ago, The Flying Sloth said:

unless you sent the headphone output to the Magni (which is silly) you couldn't use the Magni with the Focusrite.

I could use it with TRS to RCA cable, I already use it like that on my Audio Kontrol 1 which I want to change because its malfunctioning.

I don't even use a mic, I will just use monitor and headphones, if I ever need a mic I will only use 1 mic at once.

 

I have 600 ohm beyerdynamics so Magni 3 helps driving them on HI mode.

[The Flying Sloth]

6 hours ago, MS-DOS said:

I could use it with TRS to RCA cable, I already use it like that on my Audio Kontrol 1 which I want to change because its malfunctioning.

I don't even use a mic, I will just use monitor and headphones, if I ever need a mic I will only use 1 mic at once.

 

I have 600 ohm beyerdynamics so Magni 3 helps driving them on HI mode.

If you don't need any of the extra IO why are you buying a larger interface? Just get the UMC202HD. The Magni doesn't support balanced connections and unless you're using studio monitors your speakers won't either. 

[MS-DOS]

On 6/4/2020 at 10:50 PM, The Flying Sloth said:

If you don't need any of the extra IO why are you buying a larger interface? Just get the UMC202HD. The Magni doesn't support balanced connections and unless you're using studio monitors your speakers won't either. 

 

Because I need to plugin the magni and the monitors, thats 4 outputs.

[The Flying Sloth]

10 minutes ago, MS-DOS said:

Because I need to plugin the magni and the monitors, thats 4 outputs.

Then the UMC404HD is the most economical option for you.