iTrack Solo vs Scarlett 2i2. Same PreAmps. Different Audio.

[fgplayerx]

Simple user here. Not an audio engineer. BUT,

I few months ago I noticed a strong difference between these two interfaces:

-Focusrite iTrack Solo.
-Focusrite Scarlett 2i2.

In paper -according to Focusrite specs-, they both share the same PreAmp with the same specifications. But they handle input gain differently. Specially between the 4 and 5 o'clock in the input gain -roughly between 90 and 100%-.

The 2i2 has a very pronounced Boost at the end of the knob dial. And, if it is also present in the iTrack Solo, it is much bigger in the 2i2.

Here is a .wav file made with Auria so you can hear the differences.

5sec Silence - iTS then 2i2 - at 12, 3 and 5.wav

(4.81 MiB) Downloaded 2005 times

Second 0:
-iTrack Solo. 5 second silence. Knob gain at roughly 50% or 12 o'clock.

Second 6:
-Scarlett 2i2. 5 second silence. Knob gain at roughly 50% or 12 o'clock.

Second 12:
-iTrack Solo. 5 second silence. Knob gain at roughly 80% or 3 o'clock.

Second 18:
-Scarlett 2i2. 5 second silence. Knob gain at roughly 80% or 3 o'clock.

Second 24:
-iTrack Solo. 5 second silence. Knob gain at 100% or 5 o'clock.

Second 30:
-Scarlett 2i2. 5 second silence. Knob gain at 100% or 5 o'clock.

The same untreated living room. At 1am. Same phantom powered Line Audio Design CM-3 microphone. I had already noticed this a few months before with a Rode M3. So I think the microphone has nothing to do with this.

Hope this helps someone trying to decide what interface to buy.

I am now curious to know if other interfaces that share the same PreAmp and Specs behave differently.

EDIT: Recorded and exported to SoundShare with Auria. The .wav file is the original edited and joined file from Auria. The 5 second takes are meant to be analized on a FFT Analyzer. So please download and try to hear and see the difference. There is a 1 second lack of audio between the takes.