Are there any differences in quality in low-end audio interfaces?

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jcb3030

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Are there any differences in quality between the very low-end audio interfaces?

Such as:
M-Audio Fast Track USB
Tascam US100
Lexicon Alpha Desktop

Or are these all so poor that I'd be better off looking for a better interface used? If so, which one?

[About me: I'm a hobbyist looking for a very inexpensive audio interface to play around with at home. I'll only be recording a single input at at time: guitar or vocal.]
 
The difference I look for is the better of the microphone preamp that is on the front end.
In which case I would still shop around.
 
Would these be sufficient if I'm not using a condenser mic?

If not, are there any used models that are commonly available that you would suggest? My budget is tiny - under $100.
 
Another difference is the main outputs for which you'd be monitoring through speakers

I used to own a lexicon lambda way back when i started recording myself, then to a presonus fire-pod. Its a little step further to a nice interface but it suits me for now. So back to monitoring... pushing my old fostek 5" monitors to a comfortable listening environment, and even to higher spls for a quick check, the lambda would distort.

So a low-end interface is going to effect whats going in, and how you perceive whats coming out

I'm a hobbyist looking for a very inexpensive audio interface to play around with at home.
but if you are just a hobbyist singer/songwriter the m-audio, hell even the lambda will be good enough for you
 
Wouldn't hurt to check support forums of the one you plan on getting to make sure there isn't any hardware compatibility issues with your computer.
 
Not much difference in quality at that price range. Use the one that has the features you like best.
 
Not much difference in quality at that price range. Use the one that has the features you like best.

Agreed...and all of it is 1,000x better than what consumers could buy 20 years ago.
 
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