Yikes! Thanks for the link, BK. :T
Yeah, based on that review I think I’d pass on that thing – a shame, because Presonus’ pro audio gear is generally regarded as good stuff.
The reviewer notes that it’s noisy, among other problems. Maybe not relevant for REW, but these interfaces can be useful for other things. For instance, it could be used if you wanted to record some old cassettes to the computer, to make a CD. Or wanted to record a spoken voice, or anything else you might want to record with a mic (like if you want to prove to your neighbor that his dog barks like crazy when he’s gone

). Or if you have decent-quality computer speakers, like studio monitors – connecting them to a better-quality sound card than what’s in your laptop.
So basically, if I’m going to spend my money I’d like to be able to use the sound card for more than REW, should the need arise.
BUT – check this out, a tidbit I noticed in the review:
The AudioBox PDF manual says:
Both channels of the AudioBox USB have a Mic/Line connector using the Neutrik Combo connector.
which initially sounds great since they used the word "line", but alas, then they go on to explicitly say:
Plugging a line level source into the instrument inputs on the front of the AudioBox USB not only risks damage to these inputs but also results in a very loud and often distorted audio signal. (In other words, don’t plug a line level source into the combo jacks of channel 1 or 2.).
Ouch. That tells me it might not be possible to generate a calibration file with this thing, or it might not work well using the Radio Shack SPL meter as the measurement mic, since it uses a line-level output. Apparently the 1/4” inputs are intended for guitars, which have very low-level signals.
Bottom line, I think I’d avoid the Presonus. I have no way to verify, but the Tascam’s published noise specs are excellent. Its frequency response is so flat it doesn’t really even need a calibration file. REW’s calibration shows it’s down less than .5 dB at 10 Hz, and .25 dB at 20 kHz.
Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt