Motu M2 & PreSonus Studio24C - An Everyday Listen DAC/Amp? - Honest Audiophile Impressions

Are USB Audio Interfaces a good option for an everyday listen DAC/Amp?

Purchase:
Motu M2:

PreSonus Studio 24C:

Recommended Gear:
Tin Hifi T3 Plus:TINHIFI T3 PLUS 10mm LCP Diaphragm Hi-Fi Earphone – Linsoul Audio
Massdrop THX AAA 789:

Tingvall Trio “Beat” - piano tonality
Sinne Eeg “We’ve Just Begun” - multiple layer soundstage
Molly Johnson “What a Little Moonlight Can Do” - female vocal tone
Leslie Odom Jr. “Under Pressure” - male vocal tone
Eric Clapton “Change the World” - soundstage, layering and placement
Yo Yo Ma “Ecstasy of Gold” - acoustic instrument timbre
Adam Baldych “Spem in Alium” - acoustic instrument timbre
Pain of Salvation “Stress” - bass and percussion balance
Michael Buble “When I Fall in Love” - orchestral dynamics
Patricia Barber “Code Cool” - sibilance check
Christian Scott “New New Orleans” - shouty upper mids
Tool “Chocolate Chip Trip” - imaging
Hans Zimmer “Why So Serious” - sub bass extension
Marcus Miller “No Limit” - bass control
Dave Holland Quartet “Conference Of The Birds”- bass check
Ilhan Eshkeri “47 Ronin”- orchestra and bass dynamics
Hans Zimmer: “2049” - sub bass extension
Cher: “Believe” - sibilance
Stanley Clarke - “Passenger 57 main title” - percussion, bass, separation and placement
Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra - “The Pine of the Appian Way” - soundstage, imaging, separation, dynamic range
Houston Person - “You are my Sunshine” - tone and timbre

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[tomasravelli]

Thank you
You explained the issue very clearly.
And this is absolutely the most confusing issue in the multitude of discussions that are made about these two devices.

[mathtrixmusiclix]

As Dr. Phil Eastman (who co-taught with Stanley Lipshitz at Waterloo University-look them up) once told me as an Engineering student, “You buy the distortion you prefer.”

[michaelgardner]

Thanks. I found your analysis very useful. I had wondered about this topic.

[dsmond]

Wonderful video Dave. I was using an old audio inferface (Komplete Audio 6 2011 edition) with my HD650s for a better part of 1.5 years. Decided to pick up an ifi GO blu on a whim and my mind was blown at how good music with the HD650s sounded. This led me down the audio rabbit hole...

[tomlu]

Great review Dave. I've been using the M2 for months and totally agree with your opinions on it.

[elijahmant]

Hi Dave. Thanks, man for the video. I hear you good and proper. I've been using a Motu 2408 for a very long time. It's giving trouble of recent, so I accept may be it's time to replace it. I purchased the Motu M6. And I experienced exactly the same as you explained. To turn nobs up to full to get something like, is unacceptable to me. I'm used to my levels being half way and sounding nice. Maybe it's cause I'm new to USB connection, compared to firewire!

[filterscape]

Have to disagree. I bought the presonus 24c several years ago and it failed on many levels. The potentiometers all have crackling pots. The warranty team just told me too bad even though it was just out of warranty.
I’ve heard the Motu team replace a unit that was 2 years out of warranty!! Now that’s service.
I just got a Motu m2 and it slays the studio 24c. Powers my sennheiser studio headphones (impedance 69ohms) fine with the gain knob at about 70% which is in normal parameters for other units in this price range.
In a review it was tested with sennheiser 650 (300ohm) cans with volume at 75% being loud enough. Which is also fine.
Motu is way better than presonus, no contest.
Forgot to mention the chassis is much sturdier then the presonus which has little stick on pads for the underside and three metal frame pieces that are held together with tiny Allen screws.

[crate]

I started using my Avid fast track dou interface. I plugged my sh6 into it and it is way way better dac then the smsl su6 by far and you can get used now as low as 40 dollars. I bought ten years for almost 400 dollars

[MannyScoot]

The MOTU M2 is definitely pretty good for the price my preferred sound (Burr-Brown) signature, I achieve from the iFi Micro Signature Amp Dac only pushes 4 watts, but the sound you acquire with zero hiss is pretty wild

[Spyrozzz]

Thanks, I was about to order the m2... you saved me money

[MartinHardi]

My Problem is, how to conenct my Beyerdynamics MMX 300 Gen 2 Headset on the MOTU M2, not the output but the Micropohne. Tried RODE VXLR+ adapter, there was noise, with RODE VXLR Pro I get no input. ... I'm a little bit confused.

[BlackthorneSoundandCinema]

I worked with interfaces in that price range in the past(about 6 years ago) and I don't have anything good to say about them. Ok for podcasting, voice overs for videos or live streaming with a mic, but not much else.

[TheDarius]

Thanks for this heartfelt analysis as I've been using the MOTU M2, straight into an Emotiva BasX A2, into a pair of Airmotiv B1+ speakers.
So, if I were to do a revamping of my DAC, what would, in your opinion, deliver a very significant improvement in the department of clarity, detail, and resolution... up to $400.00? Thanks!

[linos]

I have not tried many DACs but I can't confirm any noises or hisses in my Motu M2 driving my HD600, which are very demanding headphones. And it gets more than loud enough. I had troubles with the Beyerdynamic DT990 Edition 600 Ohm Version. But up to 300 Ohms there are no problems or noises. And I have good ears ^^

[navala]

Thanks for this video. I was thinking about buying the Motu M2 because I read in several forums that it supported the HD 600 without problems.
It would be interesting to know your opinion on the Audient ID14 MKII if you have the opportunity to try it. According to the manufacturer, it can drive 600 ohm headphones.

[filip.herman]

Hey, thank you for the review! What would you recommend for studio monitors with balanced connection for a similar price as the MOTU M2? I just listen to music and watch movies. Preferably something flat and detailed. Thanks!

[carminedesanto]

Great background on how you had to work to get them to be reviewed 😅

DAC’s..all do the same job ..all redbook decoding and then it’s onto how it takes the “101010 “ and converts it to an analog wave form output…you know this ..everyone knows this..

So what your hearing is the output amplifier of the unit ..some DAC’s have tubes for goodness sake.

DAC vs. DAC ..how did it sound compared to your Mytek Liberty DAC .🤔

Great review as always Dave.☕️☕️👍

[drewmorg.]

I am trying to minimize my audio setup and thought to delete my Magni with the Motu... but no.

[scip]

Can you recommend a DAC/Amp (for gaming, everyday listening, movies) that is better sounding than those interfaces around 100$? I was thinking about the Topping DX1 or the IFI Uno.

[xHowler]

Hey, nice review! I was wondering if you have any experience with the UA Volt 2 76? And would it be worth the extra money over those two in this video?