Scarlett 16i16 4th Gen
interface_dac
$450
Used market: $315*
Specifications
5 of 13 values have a recorded source- Type
- Audio Interface·
- Ein dBu
- -127✓
- Bus Powered
- yes·
- Max Gain dB
- 69✓
- Analog Inputs
- 2x XLR/TRS combo (Mic/Line/Inst), 2x 1/4" TRS variable-level Line, 4x 1/4" TRS fixed-level Line·
- Analog Outputs
- 4x 1/4" TRS Balanced Line Out, 1/4" TRS Headphones·
- Digital Inputs
- USB-C, ADAT optical in·
- Min Usb Power W
- 15·
- Headphone Output
- Max Voltage Vrms: 2.75 · At Impedance ohms: 300 · Output Impedance ohms: 11·
- Max Input Level dBu
- 16✓
- Max Sample Rate kHz
- 192·
- Phantom Power Provided
- yes·
- Release Year
- 2023·
Expert Audio Engineering Commentary
Gain Staging Advice
69 dB of gain with -127 dBu EIN, the same preamp the 2i2 4th Gen carries. A dynamic microphone at -59 dBV sensitivity needs roughly 60 dB for speech at a hand's distance, so this clears it without an inline booster.
Amplification Warning
The 11 Ohm headphone output impedance is a real change from the 50 Ohm of the 2i2 4th Gen: multi-driver in-ears keep their intended frequency response here. 11 dBu into 300 ohms is 2.75 V, enough for 250-300 ohm studio headphones at sane levels.
What the datasheet actually says
Quoted verbatim from the manufacturer’s own page, with the date we checked it. We state what is printed, not what anyone intended by it.
«Gain Range 69dB / Noise EIN (A-Weighted) -127dBu / Maximum Input Level (at minimum gain) 16dBu»
The three rackable 4th Gen Scarletts publish the same preamp block: 69 dB gain range, -127 dBu EIN, +16 dBu maximum input level, and the same headphone figures (5 dBu into 33 Ohm, 11 dBu into 300 Ohm, 11 Ohm output impedance). That is consistent with one preamp and one headphone amp design across the range, and it means a choice between them is a choice of I/O count and power, not of gain or noise.
checked 8/5/2026* Estimated with the depreciation fallback (~70% retained value). · checked on 8/5/2026