The battle of the masters, Focusrite RedNet-TNX versus RME Digiface-Dante. For a longtime the RME Digiface-Dante was the only external high channel count (128) computer (USB) to Dante interface on the market. But in 2025 Focusrite launched the RedNet-TNX with the same purpose. Focusrite shifts the definition of high channel count to a massive 256 channels. Both units are in our DanteSupport Test Lab. The RME Digiface-Dante for some years and the Focusrite RedNet-TNX for some months. Time for a comparison.
Construction of the RedNet-TNX and Digiface-Dante
Let’s first look at the outside. The RME Digiface-Dante is a closed little metal box with a measurement of 170 x 26 x 84 mm (WxHxD). On one side you’ll find all the IO. On the other side the power supply input and USB (with status light).
The Focusrite RedNet-TNX is also a sturdy metal box but with a significant bigger size of 144 x 71.6 x 212.4mm (WxHxD). It is also not fully closed. It has a perforated panel on the front and back sides. On the front side there is only the name of the unit and there is a low noise fan behind the front panel. On the backside are all the connectors and status lights.
The inside of the Focusrite RedNet-TNX
The Focusrite RedNet-TNX is based on their existing PCIeNX card that is mounted onto a PCI adapter. A standard Sonnettech TB3 interface board is used, connected to the same adapter. It has been built solidly, and it looks like Focusrite uses their own chipset for the Dante part.
The inside of the RME DigiFace-Dante
Where the Focusrite needs active cooling the RME has no cooling at all. Surprisingly a relatively small number of components make the RME tick. The actual Dante interface is a Brooklyn 3 plugin card made by Audinate. The Madi interface is integrated on the motherboard.
Power supply
Both the RME and Focusrite come with an external power supply. The RME can also be powered via its USB3 connection but not via POE.
The Focusrite can only be powered by its own power supply and does not run on POE or TB-powering.
Channels & sample rate
Now here comes the banger! The Focusrite RedNet-TNX has 128×128 audio channels with sample rates up to 192kHz. The RME has 64×64 channels up to 48kHz and this will be halved for every sample rate doubling. Ending at 16×16 for 192kHz.
And there is more: for less than €200 you can even upgrade the Focusrite TNX to 256×256 channels with a sample rate up to 96kHz. This makes the Focusrite TNX the king of channel count for external computer to Dante interfaces.
Computer connection
Another major difference. The RME Digiface-Dante is using a USB3 connection protocol as interface with the computer. RME provides its own drivers, but since a recent firmware update it also supports USB class compliant mode for Apple OS.
The Focusrite RedNet-TNX uses a Thunderbolt-3 interface for the computer connection. TB3 (we are currently at TB5) is the most common version and works flawlessly with Apple. You must install the Focusrite drivers on your computer first before the TNX interface will work. The TNX does provide a second TB3 port for connecting other gear to your computer.
Latency/delay difference
The RME Digiface-Dante uses USB3 as interface and the Focusrite RedNet-TNX uses TB3. Thunderbolt should be by design a little bit faster than USB3.
But what is the latency difference in an operational environment. I performed a full RTL test going from Computer – RME/Focusrite – Dante DA – AD Dante – RME/Focusrite – Computer. At a sample-rate of 96kHz and a buffer size of 32 bits the latency /delay difference between RME and Focusrite was 60 samples. So, the Focusrite RedNet TNX is 0,594 msec faster.
DSP control
Let’s talk about DSP control. Are there any mixing or effect options?
The RME comes with TotalMix. This lets you use the Digiface Dante also as a digital mixer selecting for every output, any input or even looping back an output into an input. Great software that runs in the unit itself and the control interface is on your computer. RME also provides DigiCheck, a full metering package that can be configured to your needs. Both software add-ons are very useful and I use them daily.
The Focusrite RedNet-TNX does not have a special DSP chip onboard for mixing or measuring. This means that in your computer you just see your inputs and outputs, but you cannot send the signal on input channel 1 also to output channel 2 etc.
Focusrite RedNet-TNX does come with its own configuration tool that you install on your computer. This tool shows all the active Focusrite Dante equipment in the network and you can configure some hardware settings with it. It does not really bring something to the table.
Digiface-Dante Madi IO
The RME Digiface Dante also has a Madi interface via BNC connectors. You can use the RME as a bridge between Dante and Madi. This will automatically happen if you disconnect the USB3 connection. Both the 56 and 64 Madi channel mode is supported. The Focusrite has no other interface options than Dante.
Other functional differences
Beside the major ones that we described above there are also smaller differences that we will sum-up hereunder.
Ethernet ports
The RME has four RJ45 ethernet ports. Two for the primary and two for the secondary Dante network. This makes it possible to use the RME as a network hub even when you run a redundant Dante network configuration. The TNX has the standard primary and secondary network ports that can be set into network mode as well.
Headphone output
This one is for some of us not a small function, a headphone output. The RME Digiface Dante has an analog headphone output that is also DC-coupled. Assigning one or more channels to the headphone output must be done within Totalmix.
Also, the volume control is within the software because there is no hardware volume knob. The headphone output is for checking audio signals not for high quality monitoring. Focusrite lacks any analog output which, considering the price of the unit, is a bit sorry.
Clock synchronization
The Focusrite can be synced to the Dante network clock or be a Dante master clock by itself. The RME can do the same but has also the option of connecting an external word clock via the BNC connection (that has a double function as the Madi interface). Using external word clock inputs can be useful in larger digital setups.
Do they sound the same?
Well, both units convert PCM digital audio streams into network digital Dante audio streams. There is no conversion into analog and vice versa. So you would expect that both units will sound the same when listening to music via the same D/A converter, right?
Well, as mentioned within both units there is still conversion going on from USB3/TB3 to Dante. Also, within your computer there is a conversion happening from your DAW output into the protocol that is used between the computer and the unit (USB3 / TB3).
In theory all these conversions should be done “bit perfect”. But keep in mind that the bit depth setting within Dante (16, 24 or 32 bits) will have an impact on the sound quality in case you send 32 bits via TB3 or USB3 to the interface and have the Dante network running on for instance 16 bits. In this scenario it is better to dither already within the DAW because Dante will simply ignore the lower bits.
Also, the way the manufacturer has programmed the onboard FPGA chip – that handles all the processing – can have an impact, according to engineers I spoke with.
Price
Beside all the technical stuff unfortunately there is also money involved. The price difference between the Focusrite RedNet-TNX and the RME Digiface-Dante is around €750 euro net. The RME goes for €1065 and the Focusrite will ask €1818 from your wallet (both excluding taxes).
My verdict
Both the RME Digiface-Dante and the Focusrite RedeNet-TNX are great interfaces for interfacing a computer or laptop with a Dante network. Both provide extreme low latency settings of 0.25 milli-seconds. Much better and more reliable than using a software driven interface like the Audinate DVS- or VIA-software.
But both units are not the same. The TNX is the king or queen of channel count whereas the RME provides a digital mixer environment via the Totalmix software.
If you have a recording studio or live environment with a lot of AD/DA points (like with a console or many outboard gear units or a large venue) the Focusrite RedNet-TNX is the way to go without a doubt, because you always run out of channels so easily. In other cases, the RME Digiface-Dante might be a flexible and stable friend that gives your laptop a worry-free interface into Dante.
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