I want to see for low volume recordings, using a relative inexpensive USB audio interface (Roland Rubix44) makes a big difference with regard to microphone preamp self-noise in comparison with a relative expensive USB audio interface (RME Babyface Pro FS). I test both with an expensive microphone (MKH 8040) and an inexpensive one (OM1). Since I plan to use the Rubix44 with the OM1 in a piece, I'm interested mostly in the difference for the OM1, which can be heard towards the end as an A/B background noise comparison (gains were adjusted with a reference signal to have exactly the same signal level).

1:31 - preamp A with MKH 8040 2:04 - preamp B with MKH 8040 2:42 - preamp B with OM 1 3:23 - preamp A with OM 1 4:08 - disclosure 4:29 - background noise comparison (open OM 1)

Correction: weight of Rubix44 is 2 kg (still a lot heavier than the Babyface).