MOTU UltraLite-mk5 Review (Audio Interface)

[Sokel]

It still feels warm. Anything device can be can cool down, is always a good thing and the fan is $29. I don't see why not, or will you be replacing my Motu when it goes bad one day? lol

If you're after the absolute performance you have to study the circuit and decide where its thermal equilibrium is and make sure it will stay there.
Too much cooling, sudden temp changes, etc is out of the question. So it's a fan.

 

[dasdoing]

It still feels warm. Anything device can be can cool down, is always a good thing and the fan is $29. I don't see why not, or will you be replacing my Motu when it goes bad one day? lol

at least go with a heatsink, makes more sense than a fan. or even more fancy: a cold plate

 

[Bamboszek]

It still feels warm. Anything device can be can cool down, is always a good thing and the fan is $29. I don't see why not, or will you be replacing my Motu when it goes bad one day? lol

I believe this is an example of the Dunning-Kruger effect.


Do you know how much the retail price would increase if the BOM increased is by $29?

A computer or gaming console cooling system needs to dissipate approximately 200-800 watts of heat.
Interface like this is 10-15 W at max.
Passive cooling in completely silent (which is important in recording environment) and doesn't include moving component which can fail.
Actually I consider passive cooling as a premium.

In my opinion, MOTU can certainly be considered a competent company that designs solid performance products for professional use.
And every competent electronic designer takes thermals into account when designing circuits. When used as intended, they should not fail or require additional cooling.
Professionally I design automotive ECUs, e.g. BLDC driver passing up to 200 amperes. It operates in much harsher conditions of engine bay and it works perfectly without a fan.
Believe or not, they're designed to operate at an temperature of 135°C and not fail for at least 150 000 kilometers or 15 years.

Unless you expose your MOTU interface to direct sunlight or live in a tropical climate, I don't think you should worry about additional cooling.


BTW. You'll be shocked to find that some devices perform better at higher temperatures and even benefit from additional heating

Best spec ADC Chip currently.... ??

1) no, DSD there made from PCM. 2) yes. 3) single, and today I finished APU modification - LPF is deleted, 48VDC phantom power added. Also, I bought cheap but seems quite typical Rode NT1 to find the optimal gain APU's switch +?db/+60db. 3.5mm jacks. 4) no such plans so far to make ADC/DAC...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Palladium]

If you think that Motu has a cooling problem, then you haven't seen the electronics on a ship in tropical seas.

 

[dasdoing]

in a tropical climate

you haven't seen the electronics on a ship in tropical seas

Ironically, in both situations, you want to minimize airflow as much as possible.

 

[ShadowNeko]

I didn't know it take external power. Will try again

Did it still not work?

 

[Pancreas]

It was released in April 2021 for $595 and since then there have been some hardware changes (new ADC for example).

Inflation alone from 2021 to 2023 would support a price increase to above $650.

To me it is more of surprise that it stayed the same price for so long, especially after a long hiatus shortly after release where it was unavailable due to part issues.

Michael

How do I know if mine has the new ADC

I bought in 2023

 

[DrSpan]

Just a sidenote because i read some people mentioning leaving the device on at all times.
Without wanting to sound irritating or esoteric, the Mk5 consumes around 10+ watts of power just in idle.
Maybe turn it off once in a while when not needed? Nature might thank us one day.
I started turning everything off when i don`t use it. However i am not the rebel pointing fingers. Just wanted to share a thought with us all

 

[Evgenioni]

Maybe, but where I live, no one thinks about it. There is atomic power, hydropower, mechanical engineering, oil-processing industry and huge chemical factory (the size of an entire city), military industry... And I am with my audio interface for 10W.. And price <0.05$/kW

 

[Pancreas]

Just a sidenote because i read some people mentioning leaving the device on at all times.
Without wanting to sound irritating or esoteric, the Mk5 consumes around 10+ watts of power just in idle.
Maybe turn it off once in a while when not needed? Nature might thank us one day.
I started turning everything off when i don`t use it. However i am not the rebel pointing fingers. Just wanted to share a thought with us all

I only care about myself lol

 

[MCH]

The ultralite Mk5 has on/off memory, that is, remembers if it was on or off after cutting power, and according to Motu, it is ok to interrupt DC power. This makes it ideal to add a remote switch (a relay or whatever) at the DC input. I have it set like this since 1-2 years, works perfectly fine

 

[somebodyelse]

I only care about myself lol

You and many others - a major factor in the tragedy of the commons.

 

[DrSpan]

Maybe, but where I live, no one thinks about it. There is atomic power, hydropower, mechanical engineering, oil-processing industry and huge chemical factory (the size of an entire city), military industry... And I am with my audio interface for 10W.. And price <0.05$/kW

It is a waste of energy leaving things running without any reason. Its not about scale and comparing to what the industry does.
Obviously we cannot change everything, but change has to happen earlier or later and we have e already missed the earlier part.
But to each their own. I am not Jesus

 

[stigger]

The ultralite Mk5 has on/off memory, that is, remembers if it was on or off after cutting power, and according to Motu, it is ok to interrupt DC power. This makes it ideal to add a remote switch (a relay or whatever) at the DC input. I have it set like this since 1-2 years, works perfectly fine

Yep, doing exactly that using a Shelly smart socket. Works like a clock, especially with the latest DAC firmware.

 

[carat]

How do I know if mine has the new ADC

I bought in 2023

C

Post in thread 'MOTU UltraLite-mk5 Review (Audio Interface)'

Sep 14, 2023

Is there a way to visually tell which is the pre 2022 and after 2022 model with slightly different components?

thank you

Isn’t the revision number on the sticker? Otherwise, shine a light through the ventilation slits and look for the electrolytic capacitors at the back. That’s one distinctive difference. Look at the PCB photos linked earlier in the thread. The newer model has a double row of caps. The older model has the holes and markings for the caps but they aren’t installed.

• carat

• 

You one will almost certainly be the new ESS version unless you got some old stock.

 

[antcollinet]

Hola. He visto algunas mediciones de clarett +8, no la octo, y la ponen muy bien posicionada. Estoy bastante confuso. Que me pueden recomendar entre motu ultralite mk5, focusrite clarett +8pre, y la nueva topping e8x8? La topping, si mantiene componentes como e2x2, ya he visto en las mediciones de amir que el dac no es muy bueno. No se cual puede ser mejor compra.

Hello. I have seen some measurements of clarett +8, not the octo, and they put it very well positioned. I'm quite confused. What can you recommend me between motu ultralite mk5, focusrite clarett +8pre, and the new topping e8x8? The topping, if it maintains components like e2x2, I have already seen in the measurements of amir that the dac is not very good. I don't know which one can be a better purchase.

Best if you post in English.

 

[GLVZ Music]

Best if you post in English.

SORRY


Hello. I’ve seen some measurements of the Clarett+ 8, not the Octo, and it’s rated very well. I’m quite confused. What would you recommend between the MOTU Ultralite MK5, Focusrite Clarett+ 8Pre, and the new Topping E8x8? The Topping, if it keeps the same components as the E2x2, I’ve already seen in Amir’s measurements that the DAC isn’t very good. I don’t know which one could be the better purchase. (Translated by ChatGPT XD)

 

[morillon]

SORRY


Hello. I’ve seen some measurements of the Clarett+ 8, not the Octo, and it’s rated very well. I’m quite confused. What would you recommend between the MOTU Ultralite MK5, Focusrite Clarett+ 8Pre, and the new Topping E8x8? The Topping, if it keeps the same components as the E2x2, I’ve already seen in Amir’s measurements that the DAC isn’t very good. I don’t know which one could be the better purchase. (Translated by ChatGPT XD)

With the language barrier (on my side)...
I'm not sure I understand your need? (Especially since the neve1073 is a microphone preamp, right?)
The nature of your "system"?
And if it's a one-off or intensive digitization need?
If you already have an RIAA preamp, if it concerns vinyl, etc.?
;-)

 

[GLVZ Music]

Con la barrera del idioma (de mi lado)...
No estoy seguro de entender tu necesidad (sobre todo porque el neve1073 es un preamplificador de micrófono, ¿verdad?).
¿Cuál es la naturaleza de su “sistema”?
¿Y si se trata de una necesidad de digitalización puntual o intensiva?
¿Si ya tienes un preamplificador RIAA, si se trata de vinilo, etc.?
;-)

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Lo siento, pero lo entiendo. Lo del Neve 1073 ya lo dije en otra publicación, en otra pregunta de otro hilo. En este caso, lo que me hace dudar es qué interfaz comprar: Motu MK5, Clarett+8 o Topping. En otro hilo mencioné usar el MiniDSP Adept como ADC, conectado ópticamente a un DAC Topping. Pero pensándolo bien, prefiero una interfaz con más entradas y salidas para conectar equipos analógicos como compresores, transformadores o cualquier otro equipo.

 

[antcollinet]

---

Lo siento, pero lo entiendo. Lo del Neve 1073 ya lo dije en otra publicación, en otra pregunta de otro hilo. En este caso, lo que me hace dudar es qué interfaz comprar: Motu MK5, Clarett+8 o Topping. En otro hilo mencioné usar el MiniDSP Adept como ADC, conectado ópticamente a un DAC Topping. Pero pensándolo bien, prefiero una interfaz con más entradas y salidas para conectar equipos analógicos como compresores, transformadores o cualquier otro equipo.

Translation:

I'm sorry, but I understand. I already said about Neve 1073 in another post, in another question from another thread. In this case, what makes me doubt is which interface to buy: Motu MK5, Clarett+8 or Topping. In another thread I mentioned using the MiniDSP Adept as an ADC, optically connected to a Topping DAC. But on second thought, I prefer an interface with more inputs and outputs to connect analogue equipment such as compressors, transformers or any other equipment.