Presonus StudioLive AR8c

The AR8c has one thing going for it: Marrying an 8/4 USB interface with a hardware mixer. I'm a sucker for hardware controls, but I also need to route audio in creative ways in my home office. It is unique in that regard, and really does offer a lot of flexibility. Unfortunately, the good ends there.

- Build quality is abysmal. Pots are flimsy and wobbly, even labels are off.
- Components are out of spec, stereo distribution is uneven.
- Headphone amp is weak, roughly the level of a USB powered device, and a THD-fest.
- Line audio isn't linear, bass-heavy, and not suitable for audio production.
- SD records at 44.1khz, distribution rather than production rate.
- Effects engine makes me long for my '98 Sound Blaster Live.
- Bluetooth works well, if you ever need to mix audio from your phone with an extra level of compression.

It does reduce the mess of cables around my desk. It is only for that reason that I'm keeping it ... until it breaks, which I expect it will sooner rather than later.