Anyone here have a Fast Track Ultra/8R?

I'm thinking of getting either the 8R or its little brother, the Ultra.

They seem like great units, except for one thing -- I've read at least three reviews with complaints about low gain on the headphone jacks.

I don't crank up the headphones real loud, but the descriptions I'm hearing make it sound like they're way underpowered.

Almost like they're using high impedance headphones, and don't know the difference from low.

... Or, is this some known issue with the Ultra's headphone jacks?

(FWIW, I'll be using a low impedance headphone - the AKG K240S).

Appreciate any comments. 

FWIW, With the FastTrack Ultra 8R, I don't have any problems driving a pair of AKG K240s... (which require a bit more gain than many)
 

That's good to hear.  Thanks, Jim.  

I have the fast track ultra. I have Sennheiser HD280 pro phones. Anything over 2 o' clock will fry my F*&k(n ears. So I don't have a problem with low gain.

Although, I have read the same complaint as well. Seems results/experience will vary.

guitardog247


I have the fast track ultra. I have Sennheiser HD280 pro phones. Anything over 2 o' clock will fry my F*&k(n ears. So I don't have a problem with low gain.

Although, I have read the same complaint as well. Seems results/experience will vary.

It varies, indeed.  I posted this at another forum as well, and heard from someone who has both the Ultra and 8R.  No problems with the 8R, but their Ultra suffers from low headphone gain.

So go figure.  Either M-Audio' s quality control is better on the 8R... or it's a different headphone amp design -- that fails on some of the Ultras.

I think I'm gonna take my chances and order the Ultra ($150 cheaper, and I really don't need all the I/O on the 8R).

Thanks for all the comments.

I have the Ultra & those same headphones (how weird!) - I turn them up about 75% and they're loud enough.
 
Oh, and it is a nice unit - you'll be happy. The plastic casing doesn't seem incredibly durable, so if I was using it for a mobile unit I might be slightly worried, but I mainly keep it in my studio. But the preamps are really nice for an interface and it's nice that there are 4 of them.

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