We measure audio equipment for free!!!

[NickArcade]

I sent an inquiry using the contact form "Contact Us" on the website a month and a half ago or so. Should I try a private message this time?

 

[amirm]

Any interest?

Thanks but since it is discontinued, let's pass on it.

 

[amirm]

I sent an inquiry using the contact form "Contact Us" on the website a month and a half ago or so. Should I try a private message this time?

Yes, private messages through the forum is much more effective.

 

[a multi universal mistake]

Hey there, complete newbie. I'm planning on snagging the Motu M6, but was unsure of the headphone output impedance and was wondering if I can ship it to you guys for review. Not sure if anyone else has already made a offer.

Kind regards.

 

[fpitas]

A quick and dirty test is loading it with different resistors to get one half voltage output when loaded vs unloaded.

 

[NTK]

Hey there, complete newbie. I'm planning on snagging the Motu M6, but was unsure of the headphone output impedance and was wondering if I can ship it to you guys for review. Not sure if anyone else has already made a offer.

Kind regards.

Welcome to ASR!

Amir has tested the Motu M4. Its HP amp output impedance is <1 ohm. While it was not an M6, but it should give an indication. The problem usually with audio interface HP output is that they are often highly anemic.

 

[a multi universal mistake]

Welcome to ASR!

Amir has tested the Motu M4. Its HP amp output impedance is <1 ohm. While it was not an M6, but it should give an indication. The problem usually with audio interface HP output is that they are often highly anemic.

Isn't there a chance they updated their amps with the M6? I heard they kinda did that with the M2 and M4 around 2021 with their DAC and ADC converters. Pure speculation though.

 

[Sal1950]

Isn't there a chance they updated their amps with the M6?

Sure, anythings possible.
If still interested, sent a PM to Amir to discuss the details of having one dropshipped to him
for review testing.

 

[hernandez]

hello

 

[DonFizzle]

Yes, you read the title right. If you have audio gear that you like to see objectively measured with professional equipment, we (I) may be interested in doing that for you and our readers.

There is so little objective data on equipment today. Even if you are not an "objectivists" it pays to contribute to gathering some data to weed out poorly engineering products of which, there are many. Electronic design and building of audio equipment has become much easier today, allowing so many unqualified people to get in the business and building potentially unsafe and non-performant equipment. It is important for data to show such poor practices. At the same time, there are also superbly designed equipment and they deserve standing out from the crowd and dust of all the other gear.

If you are interested in participating, all you have to do is "start a conversation with me" by clicking on my name/avatar and we can work out the logistics. Typical lead time from when equipment arrives is 4 to 5 weeks. Exceptions can be made which we can address in the conversation.

Note that there is some risk of gear getting lost, damaged, etc. The rate of this thankfully has been as low as 0.1%. Still, if you are concerned, you can use insurance to cover shipping losses (and I can do the same in reverse).

Also note that accommodating shipments from outside the US can be very difficult. Small items can be managed. Larger items, especially if they are low cost, don't make sense to send back and forth.

So let's join hands and work together to create a large and useful library of objective, reliable and repeatable data for users to make good decisions in purchasing audio equipment, and to guide manufacturers to build better products.

Speaking of manufacturers, I am more than happy to see them participate too and indeed a number have. I make no assurance whatsoever of happy outcome should you loan me the equipment. What I can promise is supporting you in troubleshooting problems that are revealed in my testing and review.

Thanks in advance for those of you who participate.

Hi, this is great! Do you have any trusted measuring associates in 'A Land Down Under...'?

 

[BKr0n]

Hey @amirm ! I recently got in a couple of the uni-core drivers from KEF for a little DIY project I'm working on. Would you like to test one? I could certainly use the T/S parameters lol

 

[Tythor Zeth]

I am new to this forum, but an idea popped up to greatly increase the amount of measurements. In the European Union, you can send online purchases back within 14 days of receiving them. That way, you can order speakers, headphones, IEMs etc. without having to pay for it (except shipping costs for sending it back). It would give a person enough time to take all required measurements. There are enough web shops to avoid being blacklisted as a buyer, at least here in The Netherlands.

Do we have someone from the EU here on this forum with the right equipment to actually do this? I would like to help, but I do not have €15.000 (?) lying around to buy a GRAS or the likes, nor do I have all the required knowledge to make and interpret the measurements I see on this forum. Yet. I'm learning fast.

 

[amirm]

The equipment, knowledge and time is a tough combination to come by. So while there are some people in EU that have AP, I don't think they are going to sign up to test a whole bunch of gear. Doing it in such a short return window would make it doubly difficult if the person has a day job. Even for me, I can't turn around much in 14 days.

 

[Tythor Zeth]

The equipment, knowledge and time is a tough combination to come by. So while there are some people in EU that have AP, I don't think they are going to sign up to test a whole bunch of gear. Doing it in such a short return window would make it doubly difficult if the person has a day job. Even for me, I can't turn around much in 14 days.

Thanks for the quick reply. Do you, by any chance, know of someone living in The Netherlands or somewhat close to the border that has one? I'm willing to borrow it and push out lots of measurements (could sign a contract since it's such an expensive device haha). I have the time
I need to gain more knowledge first though, working on that now.

 

[serlv]

Current stuff only, huh?
Wondering how far off the mark my first outboard DAC is, an Audio Alchemy DDE v1.0

 

[Sal1950]

Current stuff only, huh?
Wondering how far off the mark my first outboard DAC is, an Audio Alchemy DDE v1.0

No, he's measured a lot of older gear.
Want your AA DAC measured? Contact him via PM and ask if you might send it in.

 

[krabapple]

Amire declined to accept a discontinued Crown amp for measurement. Maybe amps are a PITA to deal with generally and a >60 lb one even more so?

 

[amirm]

Thanks for the quick reply. Do you, by any chance, know of someone living in The Netherlands or somewhat close to the border that has one?

Anyone who has an AP has use for it. They are not in a position to then loan it out to you, putting aside the notion of investing in $30K analyzer and having someone else use it.

You can rent one by the way. So if you can justify that expense, that is a route that you can take.

 

[amirm]

Amire declined to accept a discontinued Crown amp for measurement. Maybe amps are a PITA to deal with generally and a >60 lb one even more so?

As a general rule, I have a 50 pound limit for electronics. And cringe when a speaker gets to 100 pounds. Discontinued products is a different matter. If the product is vintage and has fame, then I measure it. Or if we have no coverage of a brand, I may make an exception. Other than that, I have so much current stuff to test here that I can't justify testing products members can't buy.

 

[Mort]

I'd love to test the philharmonic audio true mini. $380/pair bookshelf to compare with the Polk es20 and other smaller, less expensive speakers?

I have a pair i could loan.