The first thing you said here isn't always true. Does it make more sense knowing that?Any solution with SPDIF winds up going to a USB interface before it hits the computer. So why bother with SPDIF? Actually curious, not complaining.
What is this "converted to USB" thing that you are talking about? Once the signal is converted to digital it remains digital until it's converted back to analog.I'm thinking of SPDIF vs. USB, not SPDIF vs. analog input. Once you're in the FM9, you can go to your computer directly with USB, or to an interface via SPDIF, get converted to USB, then to the computer. I don't think there is such a thing as SPDIF directly to computer. Even when a computer has a SPDIF port, it's my understanding that the port still likely converts to USB internally.
The audio data doesn't get converted in the sense of A/D and D/A, but the protocol enveloping the data, stream vs. packets, etc., does.I don't think you know what's actually going on here. There's no "gets converted to USB" -- the USB port and the SPDIF port are all digital signals. There's no conversion going on moving between them.
Eh. It doesn't make a difference. Sample rate, with Fractal gear, stays the same. The semantics of how the information is delivered here don't impact the sound.The audio data doesn't get converted in the sense of A/D and D/A, but the protocol enveloping the data, stream vs. packets, etc., does.
I'm thinking of SPDIF vs. USB, not SPDIF vs. analog input.
Ganging up multiple devices as aggregate devices on Mac generally adds a ton of latency
Sure, and I’m speaking from personal experience with it in trying to incorporate USB exclusive gear in with my existing interface. I expect on my M1 Studio Ultra I might have a different experience with more recent equipment. It’s been awhile. A long while.I would humbly disagree with what you've written there. The RTL of the aggregate is determined by the largest RTL device in the aggregate of course, but aggregation does not add latency.
Aggregate devices can be a good way to work with multiple audio devices since it avoids the 2 channel limitation of SPDIF. That means it's much simpler to do re-amping with an aggregate than SPDIF.
I use an external interface with my Fractal via SPDIF. I can record my videos, do classes with a mic or plug other guitars and plugins simultaneously , and have more flexibility with this configuration. Only one cable from the Fractal and no color or input gain problems with the interface. Simple, good sounding, no headaches and a lot of options for routing.
I've never used USB out on my Fractal products other than Axe-Edit. I have another I/O interface for my studio. Not to mention AXE3 should definitely be using USB3 because USB2 is simply outdated. USB3 has been around for over 10 years & USBC is now the new norm.Any solution with SPDIF winds up going to a USB interface before it hits the computer. So why bother with SPDIF? Actually curious, not complaining.