MA2 hardware, although 12 years old, remains robust with replaceable buttons and faders, especially in regions near manufacturing centers like Germany.

The GrandMA 2 Full Console has been noted for using bespoke parts, which are no longer manufactured, making replacement parts scarce and often salvaged from other units.

MA2's support for fixture profiles and its comprehensive help file are standout features, making it user-friendly for complex setups.

The MA2 console is noted for its ease of achieving visually appealing stage looks with minimal effort.

The console's upgrade history includes incremental changes rather than all upgrades at once, allowing for piecemeal improvements over time.

An NPU can unlock 4,092 parameters with MA2 on PC, and it's possible to achieve 8,192 parameters with dual NPUs, despite official limits.

MA3 is noted for newer hardware and better media server integration but is still not fully complete in software, offering a trade-off against MA2's reliability.

Many LDs are transitioning to MA3 for its advanced features, but 50% still use MA2, finding it reliable for current needs.

The secondary market for MA2 consoles is competitive, with difficulty in finding a good command wing at a reasonable price compared to newer options.

MA2 is still commonly used for one-offs and tours, providing reliable control without needing extensive adjustments for stage looks.

Despite the age and parts scarcity, many users still appreciate the GrandMA 2 for its reliability and continue to use it while learning the MA3 for future-proofing.

An MA2 light with case and air shipping to the US is priced around $16k, while an MA3 light with similar conditions is around $36k.

An MA2 light console is preferred over PC variants for festivals, as touring LDs often specify no PC variants on riders.

Replacing the entire motherboard due to a network card failure effectively revitalizes an MA2 console.

Shops that handle client repairs suggest keeping a stock of essential parts like faders and small screens for NPUs, as these components can be hard to find.

Owners can upgrade older MA2 consoles with 8GB RAM, and upgrades can also include motherboard and screen replacements to improve performance.