ADI 2 Series Discontinued, any news on successor?

[rcstevensonaz]

Maybe, but I certainly wont sell my ADI-2 DAC FS. When you have a good thing you learn to keep it.

You are not wrong! But our living situation is in transition. And since it doesn't make sense to leave this sitting in storage for what may be a few years, I have listed the ADI-2 Pro FS R on the for sale page.

 

[WeekendWarrior]

Just visited the RME site, and most of the ADI range of converters had disappeared. Then the next time I tried the page crashed...wondering if anything happening regarding the rumoured new range?

Could just be a glitch in the matrix of course

 

[WeekendWarrior]

...and the ADI-2 range is now listed as a legacy product

 

[DSJR]

...and the ADI-2 range is now listed as a legacy product

Retired with honours!

 

[amper42]

RME ADI-2 DAC FS - the King of Sound.
Everything else is just a DAC.

Hopefully, this is simply a delay in product replacement and not the end?
I can visualize the ADI-2 DAC FS hardware being updated with increased memory, Wifi 6 and NVME storage support.
Hopefully, an update is coming for this valuable audio tool.

 

[rcstevensonaz]

Just visited the RME site, and most of the ADI range of converters had disappeared. Then the next time I tried the page crashed...wondering if anything happening regarding the rumoured new range?

Could just be a glitch in the matrix of course

The matrix is interesting: The RME Audio Germany site still includes the ADI-2 lines (as of right now) while the RME USA site does not list any of the ADI-2 products other than the ADI-2 FS (and I don't think it has for a little while).

On the other hand, the USA site now shows the following rack-width products that are not replacements for the ADI-2 line:

• ADI-8 QS: 8-Channel hi-end AD/DA converter ($3,049)
• ADI-8 DS Mk III: 8-channel hi-end AD and DA converter ($2,199)

So new stuff is getting rolled out, surprisingly on the USA site first. Expecting more to come.

Edit: looking at the product line, it makes sense for the ADI-FS (silver/blue front) to remain in the lineup, since that is similar to their new ADI-8 products (also silver faced). I'll be curious to see if they move the ADI-2 DAC & ADI-2 Pro (black front) to a separate product line family to reduce confusion between the silver/blue and black product lines.

 

[EERecordist]

I believe the company said they ran out of a particular chip used in the product.

The world has new chips so my guess with no inside information is that they are in a redesign cycle.

If you look at the top performing DACs, the E1DA CosmosISO A to D is at 119 dB and the E1DA 9038D6K is about 126 dB SINAD. Those numbers will vary based on how you test it, but a redesign of the ADI-2 DAC, and Pro ADC/DAC may move the specs upwards.

A redesign is an opportunity to add functionality or improve competitiveness. Once they announce something people will hear about it here and on the RME forums.

RME has a presence on ASR, so let's hope they send the new products to Amir for testing! That Audio Precision needs a challenge.

 

[markstein]

I was considering one of the 2/4 versions for bass management of my two active subs. Perhaps I'll hold on a while to see what happens, or keep an eye out for stock clearance prices.

I would not consider this device for doing bass management. They do not offer any x-over and time delay functionality. The newer Firefaces do so (room EQ feature).

 

[WeekendWarrior]

I would not consider this device for doing bass management. They do not offer any x-over and time delay functionality. The newer Firefaces do so (room EQ feature).

It's a moot point now as the ADI 2/4 Pro SE is no longer available, however I was under the impression that it had 4 DAC channels one pair of which could have a high-pass filter set for the mains, whilst the other pair could run full range allowing the connected subs low-pass filter to be set accordingly, or have a low-pass filter set via the device itself.

Don't know much about the Fireface range...can you point me in the direction of one that does this, thanks!

 

[Roland68]

It's a moot point now as the ADI 2/4 Pro SE is no longer available, however I was under the impression that it had 4 DAC channels one pair of which could have a high-pass filter set for the mains, whilst the other pair could run full range allowing the connected subs low-pass filter to be set accordingly, or have a low-pass filter set via the device itself.

Don't know much about the Fireface range...can you point me in the direction of one that does this, thanks!

I would recommend you look into Acourate and similar solutions; they are significantly more powerful and almost infinitely scalable.
You can implement this with a sound card for under €100, or with an 8-channel DAC in any price range.
You're unlikely to find anything with fewer limitations in terms of features and performance.
Crossover Software for Windows, Linux, macOS
Multi-Channel, Multi-Amplifier Audio System Using Software Crossover and Multichannel-DAC

 

[markstein]

I would recommend you look into Acourate and similar solutions; they are significantly more powerful and almost infinitely scalable.
You can implement this with a sound card for under €100, or with an 8-channel DAC in any price range.
You're unlikely to find anything with fewer limitations in terms of features and performance.
Crossover Software for Windows, Linux, macOS
Multi-Channel, Multi-Amplifier Audio System Using Software Crossover and Multichannel-DAC

True, but:
- you need to run the PC to listen to music
- latency is very large (usually >1s)
- handling various inputs can be difficult

 

[markstein]

Don't know much about the Fireface range...can you point me in the direction of one that does this, thanks!

Have a look here:

RME Audio | TotalMix FX flexible Routing and Mixing Software - RME Audio Interfaces | Format Converters | Preamps | Network Audio & MADI Solutions

RME Audio Professional Live, Studio, Recording and Broadcast Solutions. Unrivalled Quality, Performance & Stability MADI Interfaces, Converters & Preamps.

rme-audio.de

To be honest, I would recommend today a miniDSP SHD or a miniDSP Flex when using two mains and subs. Much easier to operate and sound quality wise absolutely okay (transparent).

 

[amper42]

Have a look here:

RME Audio | TotalMix FX flexible Routing and Mixing Software - RME Audio Interfaces | Format Converters | Preamps | Network Audio & MADI Solutions

RME Audio Professional Live, Studio, Recording and Broadcast Solutions. Unrivalled Quality, Performance & Stability MADI Interfaces, Converters & Preamps.

rme-audio.de

To be honest, I would recommend today a miniDSP SHD or a miniDSP Flex when using two mains and subs. Much easier to operate and sound quality wise absolutely okay (transparent).

I have the ADI-2 DAC FS and a FLEX.
I love the loudness control on the ADI-2. I can do things intuitively with the ADI remote software that the FLEX just can't easily accomplish. Personally, I would trade my FLEX any day for another ADI-2 DAC FS.

 

[Roland68]

True, but:
- you need to run the PC to listen to music

All your prejudices are nothing more than prejudices.
A dedicated computer should be used for this. Do you really think any high-performance DSP doesn't rely on computer technology?

- latency is very large (usually >1s)

Where did you get this information? It takes a moment for the first track to play, similar to a CD player. Otherwise, latency isn't a problem.

- handling various inputs can be difficult

From practical experience, I haven't encountered any difficulties.
Input from the computer, streaming, USB, various players, SPDIF (coaxial, Toslink), analog via sound card, ADC, phono via a digital phono preamp, etc.
In my circle of acquaintances, various MiniDSPs and even Pro Audio DSPs/crossovers, some costing €4,000-€10,000, have been replaced by such solutions in the last two to three years.
Everyone says the same thing: what a waste of time and money they previously spent on other things.

 

[markstein]

I have the ADI-2 DAC FS and a FLEX.
I love the loudness control on the ADI-2. I can do things intuitively with the ADI remote software that the FLEX just can't easily accomplish. Personally, I would trade my FLEX any day for another ADI-2 DAC FS.

You are correct, the loudness functionality is really helpful! Therefore I will not sell my two ADI- 2 FS R soon

Another positive: they are superb headphone amps.
However: operation and setup is much more complicated than with miniDSP IMO

 

[markstein]

All your prejudices are nothing more than prejudices.
A dedicated computer should be used for this. Do you really think any high-performance DSP doesn't rely on computer technology?


Where did you get this information? It takes a moment for the first track to play, similar to a CD player. Otherwise, latency isn't a problem.


From practical experience, I haven't encountered any difficulties.
Input from the computer, streaming, USB, various players, SPDIF (coaxial, Toslink), analog via sound card, ADC, phono via a digital phono preamp, etc.
In my circle of acquaintances, various MiniDSPs and even Pro Audio DSPs/crossovers, some costing €4,000-€10,000, have been replaced by such solutions in the last two to three years.
Everyone says the same thing: what a waste of time and money they previously spent on other things.

No prejudice. I actually use Acourate and the Acourate Convolver for critical listening and know what I am talking about.

 

[rcstevensonaz]

A dedicated computer should be used for this. Do you really think any high-performance DSP doesn't rely on computer technology?

Yes, I really think high-performance DSP is available through hardware device that does not require installing, configuring, updating, and actively running computer operating systems — such as Windows, MacOS, Linux, etc.

For example, the following hardware devices (which obviously contain DSP and compute internally) are plug and play, including my WiiM Pro and RME ADI-2.

 

[xaviescacs]

So it's true, I have a classic sitting on my desktop.

 

[Rngrsn94]

I believe the company said they ran out of a particular chip used in the product.

The world has new chips so my guess with no inside information is that they are in a redesign cycle.

If you look at the top performing DACs, the E1DA CosmosISO A to D is at 119 dB and the E1DA 9038D6K is about 126 dB SINAD. Those numbers will vary based on how you test it, but a redesign of the ADI-2 DAC, and Pro ADC/DAC may move the specs upwards.

A redesign is an opportunity to add functionality or improve competitiveness. Once they announce something people will hear about it here and on the RME forums.

RME has a presence on ASR, so let's hope they send the new products to Amir for testing! That Audio Precision needs a challenge.

I contacted an RME distributor in South Florida a week or so ago and they believe a new DAC will be released in Q3 of this year.

 

[MatrixS2000]

Subscribing to thread - a new RME DAC would be high on my purchase regardless that my current ADI-2 is working perfectly and will most likely never leave my possession.