MOTU M2 Longevity - Power Cycles

[Darius1968]

I’m a new owner of your MOTU M2 audio interface. I have questions about leaving it on 24/7 Vs. turning it off when not in use. If I leave it on indefinitely, all the time, can this cause the LED display on the front of the unit to prematurely fail, and vice-versa, if I repeat the cycle – several times a day – of turning-on/turning-off the unit, am I asking for any premature equipment failures? In addition to your response here, to my questions, I also appreciate and welcome any other documentation and/or forums you can point me to that would prove as a valuable source for me in regards to my questions.

[CharlzS]

Maybe too early to know. I have an M4 and it gets power cycled at least 4-5 times a day as my laptop is opened/closed and so far no problem after about a year. As with any piece of equipment, time will tell.

[mikehalloran]

None of these current Fast USB interfaces have been on the market a year and a half so no one really knows.

Previous generation interfaces lasted longer if turned off when not in use vis-a-vis those left on 24/7. Sustained heat appears to be more detrimental than heat/cold cycles that can be hard on solder joints.

A good clue is the amount of heat these new units produce or, more accurately, don't. All the ones I've seen run fairly cool, a very good thing.