New Q600 versus M600

Alongside our warmly received M600, meet the Q600 Set: a new shade of analogue colour for engineers who value variety. Based on the quadrafilar construction of the classic API 2503 transformer, Q600 combines modern refinements with an enlarged EI57 CRGO silicon-steel core and a 34 mm lamination stack.

Q600 Set

M600 ST Set

The comparison at +10 dBu, with a 600 ohm source and 600 ohm load, reveals two distinct characters. M600 shows lower distortion through the low and mid frequencies and a more extended high-frequency response. Q600 offers a more pronounced vintage character, with higher harmonic distortion and an earlier, gentle high-frequency roll-off.

Frequency response at +10 dBu; source 600 ohms, load 600 ohms. M600: blue. Q600: orange.

Distortion (THD H2–H9) at +10 dBu; source 600 ohms, load 600 ohms. M600: blue. Q600: orange.

With a 100 ohm source feeding a 10 kilohm input, Q600 reveals another side: a smooth frequency response and lower distortion than under 600 ohm loading. It works beautifully as an analogue hardware insert between a converter's line output and line input, adding transformer colour without a pronounced treble rise.

Q600 measurements: 100 ohm source / 10 kilohm load. Frequency response, followed by distortion; sweeps labelled +4, +10 and +15 dBu.

Q600 measurements: 600 ohm source / 600 ohm load. Frequency response, followed by distortion; sweeps labelled +4, +10 and +15 dBu.

Q600 is nominally a 600:600 ohm transformer; the source and load conditions above do not represent a change in winding ratio. Each set contains two transformers, carefully matched within a maximum level difference of 0.03 dB. The matched set is €210. One more colour for your analogue palette.