My current Minifuse 4 is maxed out so my next purchase is likely to be an audio interface with 8+ inputs. I’ve got a budget of roughly £400 and I’ve narrowed it down to a 3rd gen Focusrite 18i20 but just wondered if there are any others out there that I should consider. Is it worth spending more on the 4th gen? I’d prefer to buy new too.
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I have an 18i20. It’s now just chillin as a headphone amp.
I went with a Tascam Model 12 which is also an audio interface. They make a 24 as well if you need more.
Just better with daw control and complete track out via usb.
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I love the Clarett 8pre, the preamps have more heft to my (novice) ears.
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Thanks folks, both a step up from my budget though really. That Tascam has made me realise there’s extra flexibility by not having to switch my Mac on to mess with patch creation and other stuff… hmmm
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Oh, the 18i20 has a standalone mode too, that’s cool.
I have this for half a year and it is solid.
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All these points above are valid… I agree the preamps on the Tascam are digital sounding and too sterile… and I bought a Mackie Mix 8 just to clip the analog preamps to harmonic distortion…
The 18i20 is amazing by the way…
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Thanks folks, think I’ll go for one then.
I use an 18i20 3rd gen as an ADAT expander for my AudioFuse 8Pre and it works and sounds good to me.
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I had an 18i20 and traded up to a Tascam Model 2400 and couldn’t be happier.
Only £1000 more!
I’m sure it’s a beaut.
Just bought one off eBay for £300
Fingers crossed it’s a minter, sounds great from the description and the sellers feedback.
“ Excellent condition and fully functional, this has had very little use. It was sat on my desk for a few months and has been boxed up since.”
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Too late, just wanted to chime in and offer considering the Audient Evo 16. It seems to be the best in terms of bang for the buck these days, plus two sets of ADAT I/O offer a lot of expandability (can I say that? whatever).
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Yeah, I was about to say the same, coupled mine with the SP8 to double the I/O, will probably add a second SP8 for my AR2 just so I can avoid overbridge at some point
You can say that.
They do look good, but yeah too late. Thanks anyway.
I got the Clarett 8Pre and couldn’t be happier! The pre-amps are actually quite nice for the price, and add a little something to anything running into them.
I also bought a Rupert Neve 1073 based DI box, and run it into the first two pre-amp channels, and then run my Super Gemini through that. It sounds absolutely incredible. It’s powered by the phantom power on those channels too, so nothing to connect other than the audio channels. Really nice setup for very little money (relatively).
I’m also planning to grab an SSL Pure Drive Quad for another flavor of preamp. Probably just connect it ADAT or something.
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I prefer the Clarett, but I think you’ll be happy with that one too, especially for that price. I’ve used the smaller 3rd gens, and they sound great. Transparent, clean, and work pretty much flawlessly. I just like using the pres on the Claretts now that I’ve been spoiled by them. 
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All set up now, sounds sweet! Previous owner clearly looked after it very well.
Had some trouble with my TD-3 at first but realised I had the USB midi going through my old interface and it needed a setting changing as it’s straight to my Macmini now.
All these extra channels begging to be filled…