As mentioned elsewhere I have just purchased a Motu UltraLite mk4. I already use a Motu 8A for driving my active 3 way DSP speaker system, however being only 8 channels I am unable to run the centre speaker from it. The EasyLite mk4 caught my eye as it has been upgraded over the mk3 to include the same ESS9016 dacs as the 8A and has the extra 2 channels I require. I have measured the 8A previously and its performance is excellent. The paper specs for the Ultralite claim they have improved the THD+Noise figure by 2dB to 112dB over the 8A.
More info about the product below. Casework is an excellent. Cost is around $595 US.
http://motu.com/products/proaudio/ultralite-mk4
http://motu.com/products/avb/8a
Measurements.
This just the DAC section, I will test the ADC later.
First off is 1kHz 0dB FS - Note that the noise floor is in reality lower (maybe 20dB) as the Measurement ADC noise floor is modulated by the high 1kHz signal level. I need a notch filter as Amirs AP does to remove the fundamental.
Balanced outputs, FS is 6.25v rms.
Disappointed straight away with multiple harmonics stretching right up the band. However I quickly discovered this disapears when you drop below 0dB. At -0.1 dB the spray of harmonics is gone. I wonder if this is a hardware issue in the Ultralite output amps or can be fixed in its internal DSP. Im going to contact Motu to see what they say. The 8A doesnt do this.
-0.15dB - 1st and second harmonics are higher than I would like.
-6dB
-20dB
-60dB - Odd spuria at about 14.8kHz
-90.31dB Time Waveform - Fairly clean, seen better
Noise Floor
IMD SMPTE - Pretty Good
IMD 19+20kHz - 1kHz IMD is down at -125dB, again pretty good
12kHz tone Jitter - Nothing of note
Filter response and imaging
Overall a reasonable performance, I was hoping for a bit better. From memory it doesnt quite match the Motu 8A but I will post some comparison measurements later.
Also I wont be able to resist ripping the lid off so some electronic porn pics will be coming
More info about the product below. Casework is an excellent. Cost is around $595 US.
http://motu.com/products/proaudio/ultralite-mk4
http://motu.com/products/avb/8a
Measurements.
This just the DAC section, I will test the ADC later.
First off is 1kHz 0dB FS - Note that the noise floor is in reality lower (maybe 20dB) as the Measurement ADC noise floor is modulated by the high 1kHz signal level. I need a notch filter as Amirs AP does to remove the fundamental.
Balanced outputs, FS is 6.25v rms.
Disappointed straight away with multiple harmonics stretching right up the band. However I quickly discovered this disapears when you drop below 0dB. At -0.1 dB the spray of harmonics is gone. I wonder if this is a hardware issue in the Ultralite output amps or can be fixed in its internal DSP. Im going to contact Motu to see what they say. The 8A doesnt do this.
-0.15dB - 1st and second harmonics are higher than I would like.
-6dB
-20dB
-60dB - Odd spuria at about 14.8kHz
-90.31dB Time Waveform - Fairly clean, seen better
Noise Floor
IMD SMPTE - Pretty Good
IMD 19+20kHz - 1kHz IMD is down at -125dB, again pretty good
12kHz tone Jitter - Nothing of note
Filter response and imaging
Overall a reasonable performance, I was hoping for a bit better. From memory it doesnt quite match the Motu 8A but I will post some comparison measurements later.
Also I wont be able to resist ripping the lid off so some electronic porn pics will be coming
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