Best bus-powered audio interface?

So I'm on the lookout for something that can work as part of a lugged-around system and also for temporary siting along with a pair of lugged-around powered monitors, which doesn't need additional power.

Granted, there are limits to what 5V @ 500ma can achieve but I'm looking for the best solution given this limitation.

I need:

1 x Stereo RCA output
Ideally, a separately addressable set of 2 x TRS outputs
1 x Headphone output (6.5mm preferred)
1 x TOSLINK Optical output, a coax would be a bonus but not mandatory
Ideally, 2 x TRS inputs with independent gain controls
Ideally, a physically controlled (i.e. either pot or rotary encoder) master volume control

No particular limitations in terms of cost.

I invite your suggestions if you use a solution which addresses the above and consider it good.

 

If anybody has any suggestions, I'd sure be interested too. I'd order something like that in a second!

 

The E-MU 0404 USB has everything there expect the RCA out.

E-MU Systems - USB Audio/MIDI Interfaces

Dual mono TRS output as well as stereo TRS output
Headphone out, 6.5mm
2 TRS/XLR inputs, separate gain
master volume
TOSLINK in and out
dual MIDI in/out

Edit; sorry, didn't see the "no DC in" part there.

 

Would this have Win7 driver support? It says Vista, but sometimes the Vista drivers work...

 

That is one of my picks, I was wondering if there was anything more decent.

The problem - and one of the prerequisites I should have put in - is that there are reports of instability under Win7 x64. Almost all of my systems are W7 x64 so will need to run with it. Are you running x64, and are you having issues?

 

This is the absolute best one, and one of the most expensive.

RME: Babyface

 

Huh. I had no idea RME had come out with this class of device.

OK - I'll do more research into that (not entirely fond of the janky cable arrangement), but I think that's a pretty strong contender, especially as I'm familiar with the Totalmix interface.

 

Its brand new. They use the breakout cables because there isn´t any place to put the connectors on the main unit. I wish I had one of those.

 

It's been working well with my copy if Windows 7 Pro x64.

 

I see that (it's not available yet). I only knew about the UC which isn't what I was looking for, so thanks.

Anyway this is good news - I was thinking I'd perhaps I'd have to compromise notably beyond the Fireface 800's I usually use in a docked/desked notebook scenario (I use the Prism Orpheus with my desktops / HTPC, but the FF800 is to all practical purposes good enough for almost any audio I throw at it), but it seems the Babyface comes pretty close to or matches at least the FF400 - which isn't that much worse than the 800.

If anyone has more / better suggestions please continue.

 

Mackie Blackjack, a 2-channel USB interface. $200. although it's not expensive as the rme babyface, i'm not sure it not as good, or almost as good. the rme stuff audio quality is not considered among the best in it's price range. they have stable drivers. steinberg's mr816, for example, is considered to have much better preamps and converters, and i think that the new mackie uses the same converters.