MOTU
M2
interface_dac
$219
Used market: $105*
Specifications
5 of 14 values have a recorded source- Type
- Audio Interface·
- Ein dBu
- -129✓
- Bus Powered
- yes·
- Max Gain dB
- 60✓
- Analog Inputs
- 2x Combo XLR/TRS (mic/line/Hi-Z)·
- Analog Outputs
- 2x 1/4" TRS Balanced, 2x RCA Unbalanced·
- Digital Inputs
- USB-C·
- Min Usb Power W
- 2.5·
- Headphone Output
- Max Voltage Vrms: 3.27·
- Max Input Level dBu
- 10✓
- Max Sample Rate kHz
- 192·
- Phantom Power Provided
- yes✓
- Release Year
- 2019·
- Updated At
- 2026-08-05T20:35:54.751Z·
Expert Audio Engineering Commentary
Tonal Profile
The M2 publishes a +12.5 dBu headphone output — 3.27 V, more than most interfaces in its class. Preamp gain is not on the specs page, but it is in Appendix B of the M Series user guide: 0 to +60 dB on the XLR input, with EIN of -129 dBu at maximum gain.
Setups using this gear
Sennheiser HD 600 on a MOTU M2 headphone outputADAM T7V on MOTU M2 line outputs, not on amplifier speaker terminalsShure SM7B and a MOTU M2: how much gain does the M2 actually have?MOTU M2 with 250 Ω DT 990 Pro: enough, but how much is left over?DT 770 Pro on a MOTU M2: 32, 80 or 250 Ω — which version should you buy?
* Estimated with the depreciation fallback (~48% retained value). · checked on 8/5/2026