Presonus Quantum HD 8 Review 2024

Do Converters matter?
Mastering /Reference vs Prosumer/Mid tier vs Introductory tier
Here we compare the Presonus Quantum HD 8 vs the Motu M4 and Antelope audio Pure 2
Can You hear the difference over TH-cam?
Is there a difference?
Please leave a comment and or questions
This is to help people make a decision on whether its worth the expense between the different tiers
All testing was done on a Mac Studio M1Max 32GB RAM.
THIS IS A NON SPONSORED AND UNBIASED VIDEO
ALL UNITS PURCHASED WITH MY OWN $$$$$
FURTHER DETAILS not included in the Video
Pure 2 is made in Sofia, Bulgaria (the EU)
Motu M4 (The Good Old USA)
Quantum HD 8 (China)
HEADPHONE OUTS
Pure 2 has the most impressive dynamic range, instrument separation ; I dare say accurate and pleasing sound.
QHD 8 had dynamic range on par with Pure 2 but seemed to lack the same separation and had less bass . It had nice transient and high end however.
Motu 4 was the bassiest and punchiest but you could clearly tell the dynamic range was the worst.
Thats all i had time for and no further testing will ensue regarding this matter but feel free to ask questions and leave your thoughts . I tried to gain match everything to the best of my abilty

[@Jared-marston]

The Pure 2 wins for sure , way more detail and space between sounds.

[@davidfabien7220]

They all sound good but I find the QHD8 to have more width, more spread and a more polished sound.

[@danielpulido8690]

A bit concerning to hear the low buffer artificial crackle that the presonus made specially for a new "professional" product. Hopefully not all units are like that

[@hugolosker]

This front panel line in its just for instrument they are not balanced trs

[@ImLordBaltimore]

Considering buying one to use as an interface for the Akai Force for expanded inputs. Since you used a Force for the audio, any chance you can report on connecting the Quantum 8 as an interface for the Force to get more ins/outs? From looking at the specs, it's class compliant, can run in the required 44.1 kHz sample rate, so I don't see why it wouldn't work. But I don't see any other videos or posts online about these two pieces of gear being used together yet.

[@deansaghafi8926]

The MOTU had more bottom end and was not transparent. The Antelope was the most transparent converter, but the Quantum was almost as good. I listened to the video using an RME Baby Face Pro FS.

[@Jared-marston]

have you tried the Quantum using the clock from the Pure 2 ?

[@tri-unetrl3966]

Yoo, I have the same Logic Keyboard for Studio One... but is that a case that yours is in??? If not what is it??? 🤷🏽

[@josephdaniel7777]

Loved the video

[@Djjayvinales]

How’s the monitor gain ? Is it stronger than the MOTU ? I have the motu m6 and i have to raise my gain for that monitors output

[@levijessegonzalez3629]

how are thr mic preamps? is it worth buying a neve style preamp to go with it, or are thr built in ones good already

[@tri-unetrl3966]

I was just curious... what made you get the HD8 over the HD2??

[@Skeptic100100]

1:11

[@tri-unetrl3966]

Would you need an external preamp with this???

[@tri-unetrl3966]

How's the headphone amp on it?? Does it need an external headphone amp??

[@paulehigie9879]

Is there any point of getting a qauntum hd 8 when the qauntum 2626 has a better latency set to 16 samples

[@paulehigie9879]

Hmm my Presonus qauntum HD 2 is getting

[@tri-unetrl3966]

Auto gain is not working for me for some reason. Every time I turn it on its mutes the input (the mic) so I can't hear myself therefore auto gain doesn't pick it up. 🤦🏽