Nobsound Little Bear Mc103 3-IN/1-OUT XLR Measurements
Hi folks,
Here is a quick measurements write-up of the Nobsound Little Bear Mc103 XLR line selector. This is the three inputs/one output configuration, pretty much similar to the "Pro" version @amirm reviewed a while ago. It has been kindly loaned to me by @Niconoclaste and costs 52€ as of this writing, but may be found cheaper depending on the location/store. It is by the way about 20€ cheaper than the MC103 Pro.
Here is a quick measurements write-up of the Nobsound Little Bear Mc103 XLR line selector. This is the three inputs/one output configuration, pretty much similar to the "Pro" version @amirm reviewed a while ago. It has been kindly loaned to me by @Niconoclaste and costs 52€ as of this writing, but may be found cheaper depending on the location/store. It is by the way about 20€ cheaper than the MC103 Pro.
The Mc103 comes in a surprisingly robust case, with decent feeling considering the budget price. It is just heavy enough to remains stable and not be drawn by the weight of cables that are plugged in, which is nice. The selector knob is the only thing you will interact with.
As opposite the MC103 Pro, you got two inputs on the front and one on the back, which is a bit odd. Being a passive device, it obviously has no power switch nor plug.
Measurements
Disclaimer: Measurements you are about to see are not intended to be as precise or extensive than what you get from a 30k€ AP. There is obviously both hardware and software limitations here, so not quite apples to apples comparison with Amir's testing. Still, this data is enough to have a pretty good idea if the gear is bad or not, stellar, broken, or sub-par...
- ADC : E1DA Cosmos (Grade B). Minimum phase filter. Set to Mono Mode for REW and Stereo Mode for others tests.
- Software : RMAA 6.4.5 PRO and REW V5.20.7.
- Method : 8 runs for each test, then I choose the closest to the average. All regular tests are running 24bits / 44.1Khz.
- Due to its overall impressive performance, I used the Monolith Liquid Platinum I recently reviewed as a tone generator reference. The purpose is to find if there is any signal degradation by plugging the Mc103 between the source and the ADC. The balanced output of the Monolith is by the way measured at 4.25Vrms.
Let's start with a classic 1Khz "SINAD" FFT test. May we find any significant variation with or without the Mc103 in the signal path?...
- ADC : E1DA Cosmos (Grade B). Minimum phase filter. Set to Mono Mode for REW and Stereo Mode for others tests.
- Software : RMAA 6.4.5 PRO and REW V5.20.7.
- Method : 8 runs for each test, then I choose the closest to the average. All regular tests are running 24bits / 44.1Khz.
- Due to its overall impressive performance, I used the Monolith Liquid Platinum I recently reviewed as a tone generator reference. The purpose is to find if there is any signal degradation by plugging the Mc103 between the source and the ADC. The balanced output of the Monolith is by the way measured at 4.25Vrms.
Let's start with a classic 1Khz "SINAD" FFT test. May we find any significant variation with or without the Mc103 in the signal path?...
...No, we may not. Results are so identical that we are talking about less than 0.1dB variation of THD+N between each input. You may even see lower THD than the reference with Input 3, which is related to common run-to-run variations. Anyway, the Mc103 is absolutely 100% transparent in this testing.
Then, we still may try other tests, switching to Stereo Mode and RMAA:
Then, we still may try other tests, switching to Stereo Mode and RMAA:
Summary
Test | Source direct (DAC) | Mc103 Input 1 | Mc103 Input 2 | Mc103 Input 3 |
Frequency response (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB | +0.02, -0.02 | +0.02, -0.02 | +0.02, -0.02 | +0.02, -0.02 |
Noise level, dBA | -124.5 | -124.2 | -124.4 | -124.3 |
Dynamic range, dBA | 124.1 | 123.8 | 124.0 | 123.9 |
THD, % | 0.00004 | 0.00004 | 0.00004 | 0.00004 |
THD + Noise, dB (REW - Mono) | -119.9 | -119.9 | -119.9 | -119.9 |
IMD + Noise, % | 0.00033 | 0.00033 | 0.00033 | 0.00033 |
Stereo crosstalk, dB | -123.7 | -117.0 | -122.1 | -119.5 |
Here we go. If Noise and Dynamic Range variations are two negligible to be considered, I've got constant and repeatable drop with crosstalk. I would have expected all three inputs to perform at least the same, but they are not. That being said, Mc103's crosstalk drop is honestly not "that" serious and it should stay audibly transparent. Looking closer at the graph, we see deviations occur from about 300Hz:
Stereo Crosstalk
Frequency Response
Noise Level
Dynamic range
THD + Noise (at -3 dB FS)
Intermodulation distortion
When measuring different inputs while running the 1Khz tone generator, I noticed a leak from one channel to the others (it occurs with each one of them, BTW). How "bad" is it?
Mc103 Leak
Well, not that much. Basically, it is a -120dBFS signal... assuming one other input is feed by a 0dBFS one. While it could be audible in some case, for example if you crank up the volume of your amp and play no music signal into it, I cannot see any real-case scenario where this could be a problem.
Conclusions
Considering its low price, the Little Bear Mc103 gives you what you pay for : a transparent switch for your different source that just does its job. When looking at raw numbers, it is not technically "perfect" because of crosstalk variations and leak between inputs. Yet, you will be hard-pressed to be bother by these minor issues in real case usage. I give it my recommendation, but would personally spend a bit more for the pro version, as I prefer to have all connectivity in the back of my gears.
Flanker rating: Competent
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