Mackie Onyx Blackjack vs Focusrite for Laptop

Hi Guys,



My main rig has been a G5 (PowerPC) with a MOTU 24io audio interface and use mostly Logic Pro and Abelton Live. I am getting a new Mac Book Pro (with Intel finally - Sylenth here I come!). I’m researching USB audio interfaces for the Macbook.



My first choice would have been an Apogee Duet 2 but that’s above my budget as I want to stay south of about $200 (plus I don’t like their breakout cable setup). I rarely do any kind of recording (and if I need to record the occasional vocal hook I would use the main rig) and so I need it for mostly monitoring duties in my headphones or Mackie HR824 monitors. I also need it to have a nice and simple knob for controlling the monitoring level.



I was considering

  1. Mackie Onyx Blackjack (I’m really liking this one)
  2. Focusrite Saffire 6
  3. Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (USB 2.0)





    Any opinions, feedback or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.