$1,000 · Focusrite ISA One DIGITAL

In addition to being very good at preamplifying everything, like all ISA products, this unit has an amazing DI that is fantastic for Bass guitar, or for impedance loading an electric guitar for amp sim plugins. It also has routing to act as a headphone amp/monitor device, and inserts for your fave comps / EQ units. Plus the VU meter is legit, and really allows one to compare the typical DAW 0db full scale metering (on the right-hand side of the preamp) with a more traditional meter. Moral of the story is track everything at -18db(full scale) to your DAW and everything will turn out fine in the end. This particular unit also includes the Focusrite Stereo ADC - a pricey piece of gear on its own. Top of the line conversion at sample rates up to 192khz. 2 channels, it can either be the pre and the DI together. Or - (drum rolll) it can convert a stereo input via the line inputs on the back of the preamp into either super hi-res SPDIF or Optical formats. (SPDIF needs an accessory) And (before some asks), it works just fine in an All Analog setup.