$1700 just to get a comparable Motu in RME

[Pancreas]

The only equivalent in the RME lineup is the FireFOX UCX2 at $1700. No other RME model offers similar features as the Ultralite MK5.

You have to pay almost triple the price to have all of this in RME.

Is it better than the Motu? Probably, but is it $1100 more better? More than likely no

You're paying for the brand, reputation, whereas Motu, although a respected brand, is not regarded in the same light, made in China, not regarded as high end, etc

But if you do some research, you come to find out RME are assembled in Hong Kong, so not truly a german made and produced product. They are cutting down on expenses by shipping their assembly to Hong Kong, but can't pass on those savings to the consumer, still charge a high price for the products as if they were 100% built and completed in Germany

 

[Waxx]

Motu is not that good as RME, but both are in the section that differences don't matter anymore as their resolution is higher than our ears. So functionality and durability are what mkes the difference. RME is a workhorse that you can rely on, Motu is good build, but not that solid and reliable. If that justify the price difference for you, is something you need to evaluate.

But pure on soundquality, no the difference is not worth it but for the numbers game. And Motu will give you a absolute nuetral dac

 

[unpluggged]

The only equivalent in the RME lineup is the FireFOX UCX2

Before trolling, you'd better made sure you know the name of the product you are going to trash.

at $1700

I've got mine for €1156.

You have to pay almost triple the price to have all of this in RME.

And much more than that.

But if you do some research, you come to find out RME are assembled in Hong Kong

If you do some research, you'd come to find you are a liar.

I think @MC_RME needs to see this.

 

[Keith_W]

Motu is not that good as RME, but both are in the section that differences don't matter anymore as their resolution is higher than our ears. So functionality and durability are what mkes the difference.

I don't know man, I go through periods where I love my RME and hate my RME. Love it because of the functionality. Hate it because of Totalmix. I am close to my 10th year of ownership and I still have to watch Totalmix videos to figure out how to do simple things.

As for "reliability", my RME has been flawless since day 1. But then, all my other DAC's have been flawless including the cheapest DAC that I own, a first generation Focusrite 2i2.

 

[Waxx]

Never had problems with totalmix, but I used RME mainly in studio settings not for hifi. I thought the software is very intuitive and always found the way without manual or instruction video's. I had way more issues with the Motu software back in the days. But once it was setup it was very reliable also.

But it's 5 years since i used it. I use MiniDSP and cambridge dacs in my actual setup. The Cambridge DacMagic is 13 years old, in daily use and still good enough to be not be replaced yet... The MiniDSP Flex is more recent but neighter gave any problems yet.

 

[Blumlein 88]

I don't know man, I go through periods where I love my RME and hate my RME. Love it because of the functionality. Hate it because of Totalmix. I am close to my 10th year of ownership and I still have to watch Totalmix videos to figure out how to do simple things.

As for "reliability", my RME has been flawless since day 1. But then, all my other DAC's have been flawless including the cheapest DAC that I own, a first generation Focusrite 2i2.

AMEN brother, preach it. I hate Totalmix as well. I regularly get close to dispensing with my Babyface because of it. I may just do so soon. The only reason I've kept it this long is I don't see as good an option for a USB powered interface. I am leaning toward just going with a Motu M4 because it just isn't worth putting up with Totalmix.

 

[Jimbob54]

The only equivalent in the RME lineup is the FireFOX UCX2 at $1700. No other RME model offers similar features as the Ultralite MK5.

You have to pay almost triple the price to have all of this in RME.

Is it better than the Motu? Probably, but is it $1100 more better? More than likely no

You're paying for the brand, reputation, whereas Motu, although a respected brand, is not regarded in the same light, made in China, not regarded as high end, etc

But if you do some research, you come to find out RME are assembled in Hong Kong, so not truly a german made and produced product. They are cutting down on expenses by shipping their assembly to Hong Kong, but can't pass on those savings to the consumer, still charge a high price for the products as if they were 100% built and completed in Germany

View attachment 441142

You've raised this point or very similar ones multiple times now about the value of RME products. Its beginning to seem like a bit of a "thing" with you and I am keen you dont keep raising new threads or very similar posts in multiple existing threads please.

 

[phofman]

What's wrong with having a PCB assembled in Hong Kong? IMO there are much better PCB manufacturing capabilities in China than in Germany, comparing for the same price.

IMO what makes the difference between the two companies is the quality and length of support for older models, and software longevity and quality. That costs a lot of money in Germany, of course.

Nevertheless none of the companies are my cup of tea as they do not care about linux support.

 

[MC_RME]

I don't know what's wrong with that guy, and I replied to it before:

RME are a terrible value cost wise

The RME UCX2 retails for $1700 and it only has the AK4458 dac The Motu Ultralite MK5 at $650 (which is very similar in size and features), is almost three times less expensive, comes with ES9026PRO which is equivalent to the AK4490 in some Denons. Both of these DACs are superior to the AK4458...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Just one thing: the only (!) RME interface made in China is the Babyface Pro, and we are very open about this.

 

[HerbertWest]

I found my UCX2’s AES and ADAT out to be very handy to connect 4 channels out of my ADI2 pro. With that, I use every single I/O of the interface, including the headphones out, to drive a 5.2.4 system. Inputs are used to intercept my AVP’s out signals and run low latency convolution for room correction.
I could have gone for a UFX3, but I do not need more channels right now, and I like the smaller form factor.

 

[Scrivs]

While I’m sure RME products don’t “have” to be as expensive as they are, they will remain that way as long as the market supports their current pricing scheme.

And as a result, discounts are as rare as hen’s teeth (I’ve never seen one), It’s all about the Benjamins baby, it’s just business.

 

[restorer-john]

Just one thing: the only (!) RME interface made in China is the Babyface Pro, and we are very open about this.

Plenty of companies have their boards manufactured and stuffed in China/HK/Taiwan etc, only to be sent somewhere else to be "made" into a product. So you don't do that at all?

 

[Keith_W]

You've raised this point or very similar ones multiple times now about the value of RME products. Its beginning to seem like a bit of a "thing" with you and I am keen you dont keep raising new threads or very similar posts in multiple existing threads please.

You should consider merging all these threads and inform the OP that if he starts another one, it will be chucked into the merged threads. I looked through them and I don't see how the content is too dissimilar to this one.

 

[MC_RME]

Plenty of companies have their boards manufactured and stuffed in China/HK/Taiwan etc, only to be sent somewhere else to be "made" into a product. So you don't do that at all?

Many components come from 'elsewhere', that is the same for everyone around the world. Still with RME the PCBs are populated with components in Germany, and all our products are completely assembled, tested, packed in and shipped from Germany. No half-way workarounds. Except as mentioned the Babyface Pro.

Looking outside the audio interface category, and for completeness, the ARC USB and the remote that is included with the ADI-2 series (MRC) are also made in China. Again, this is clearly noted on those products.

 

[Randyman...]

TMFX FTW!!! If you don't like TotalMix it's because you don't know how to use it and/or don't understand its design and 3-row architecture (I'm sure all TMFX users say this - only because its true!). It is very flexible (which also necessitates a degree of complexity), but also convenient and easy to drive once you get to know it. I would not want to imagine driving my MADIFace-XT setup w/o TotalMix-FX and an ARC, and I'm not even maxed out on I/O yet. If you are only using your interface for basic ins and outs in a HT setup (or whatever the peeps here are using your multichannel RME interfaces for) - you don't even have to see or use TotalMix. But then, if you need it, it will be there for anything you can dream up...

But yes - MOTU will be cheaper, and are great units in their own right. Me = RME Fanboy all day long...

And what's up with @Pancreas libeling RME with false claims of their German interface products being assembled in HK? RME was quick to shut that "falsity" down.

 

[Pearljam5000]

Many components come from 'elsewhere', that is the same for everyone around the world. Still with RME the PCBs are populated with components in Germany, and all our products are completely assembled, tested, packed in and shipped from Germany. No half-way workarounds. Except as mentioned the Babyface Pro.

Looking outside the audio interface category, and for completeness, the ARC USB and the remote that is included with the ADI-2 series (MRC) are also made in China. Again, this is clearly noted on those products.

When are you going to make a DAC with a flagship top of the line DAC chip like the ES9038PRO?

 

[Jimbob54]

OK this thread has run it's course. Any Rme queries go to one of the Rme specific threads please.