Page 7 - RMAA 5.3

RMAA 5.3
I must thank Alexey Lukin and the gang at audio.rightmark.org for not releasing another version of RMAA causing us to re-test 6 or 7 sound cards. We should also thank them for producing such a high-quality tester for PC audio.

RMAA - Summary

The Gainward Music2Go is not the most sparkly piece of hardware we've ever measured. 16 bit/44.1kHz and 16 bit/48kHz results are shown for the Music2Go, results from DMX 6-fire and reference 16 bit/48kHz.

RMAA - Frequency Response

The Music2Go measured +0.18dB, -0.75dB from 40Hz to 15kHz respectively. This is a good result. Despite the increase in bass energy, the Music2Go has a thin and bright sound.

RMAA - Noise

Noise was clocked at -79.3dB (A). This is an average result, but at no point could I hear any audible noise coming from either headphones or speakers.

RMAA - Dynamic Range

Dynamic range for the Music2Go was on par with its noise, at 79.4dB (A). Again, it is an average result.

RMAA - THD

Total harmonic distortion is a good'n'low 0.029%. This jives with what we heard; the Music2Go has a good, clean and clear sound.

RMAA - IMD

Intermodulation distortion arises when two fundamental frequencies add together and produce harmonic overtones. This test usually crushes sound cards. Unfortunately the Music2Go does suffer the wrath of IMD, measuring a poor 0.529%.

The Music2Go performed about average in RMAA 5.3 measurements. What was a little surprising is that the Music2Go would play 24 bit/96kHz .wav files. In testing the M2G, RMAA measured no difference in quality, so it is not truly a 24 bit/96kHz device.  Rather, the WDM driver is probably truncating the word length and/or resampling. The ability to play 24 bit/96kHz files is definitely a bonus, however, it makes possible playing DVD-Audio in surround sound mode. The M2G sounded fine and whatever it is doing it is not introducing too much audible distortion.