philosobyte
Member
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2020
- Messages
- 14
- Likes
- 25
I have the M4. I use its mic preamps to record grand piano with two small-diaphragm omnidirectional microphones. I have also used it with small-diaphragm and large-diaphragm cardioids for vocals. The preamps are significantly hotter than my old UR22, but I don't own any dynamic microphones to comment on how well it does there without a Cloudlifter.
I remember using a Khadas toneboard in conjunction with my UR22 and M4 to do some hacky measurements. I no longer have that data and due to coronavirus I no longer have access to my Khadas and UR22, but my conclusion at the time was that the M4's DAC and ADC are far superior to the UR22.
I had also concluded at the time that the M4's mic preamps had a small to zero noise advantage over the UR22 for a given output level. However, I realize retrospectively that I was comparing with the mic plugged in and phantom power on, so microphone self-noise was being taken into account.
In terms of headphone output, I was sending the M4's RCA output to an Atom because the JDS Labs Atom sounded better to me with my DCA Aeon 2 Closed and my LCD2C Closed. There's most definitely bias at play, but hey, if bias can make something sound better with the gear I already have, then why not use it
I am currently using my M4's line outs with a pair of JBL 705Ps (for those wondering, no, I have no trouble with F#5).
I remember using a Khadas toneboard in conjunction with my UR22 and M4 to do some hacky measurements. I no longer have that data and due to coronavirus I no longer have access to my Khadas and UR22, but my conclusion at the time was that the M4's DAC and ADC are far superior to the UR22.
I had also concluded at the time that the M4's mic preamps had a small to zero noise advantage over the UR22 for a given output level. However, I realize retrospectively that I was comparing with the mic plugged in and phantom power on, so microphone self-noise was being taken into account.
In terms of headphone output, I was sending the M4's RCA output to an Atom because the JDS Labs Atom sounded better to me with my DCA Aeon 2 Closed and my LCD2C Closed. There's most definitely bias at play, but hey, if bias can make something sound better with the gear I already have, then why not use it
I am currently using my M4's line outs with a pair of JBL 705Ps (for those wondering, no, I have no trouble with F#5).