Sorry for late update - I got mine on Saturday but haven't had chance to check back here...
So, I'm really quite amazed by it! Aesthetically it is beautiful - much slicker looking than its predecessor. The OLED display is a godsend in terms of functionality as you no longer have to rely on software to get specific dB measures... The only time I've needed to access Maestro 2 so far is to turn on the Soft Limit feature.
Speaking of, Maestro 2 is much better software this time around - we're no longer dealing with multiple windows (which I always found irritating & rather ugly). Much more efficient/less messy, and it has that attractive "2.0" look to it, if you know what I mean...! You're able to select your sample rate (up to 192kHz), and as I said, select the Soft Limit feature for each of the 2 amps. Obviously all the features from the previous software are also present... I haven't had the opportunity to try the independent outputs feature yet so not sure how that works... **NOTE** The Duet 2 does NOT come with a software install disc - it must be downloaded from the address provided in the startup guide... We really are becoming a 'cloud-based' computer world. Long live local storage, I say!
Sound-wise, there is definitely an audible improvement over the original Duet - the headphone amp alone seems quite significantly louder (powering my Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro Headphones), and I'm hearing better bass response, and even slightly more detail through the mids/highs.
The mic amps are really in a league of their own... I've only used input 1 so far, with my Shure SM7b - anyone who knows this mic knows that it's very gain-hungry. Well, the Duet 2 handles it beautifully. I'm still as amazed as I was with the original Duet that it manages to push 75dB whilst remaining so clean... I tried out the Soft Limit feature and sure enough clipping was less apparent.
It's quite strange noting all of these improvements because the original Duet was already a smashing device in itself, but was it worth the upgrade? ABSOLUTELY. No contest.
To summarise my observations so far; more powerful headphone & mic amps, aesthetically better-looking/OLED display/more functionality on the device, better software, better sample rates up to 192kHz, Soft Limit feature.
Here's a couple of pics of my setup -
I've been through my share of Audio Interfaces, from the M-Audios to the Presonus' to the Focusrites, etc etc etc. None of them really even scratch the surface of this thing - it is an enigma! I can't wait to work with it more and explore its full potential.
