New RME ADI-2 Pro EX AD/DA audio interface

[stefanovesa]

@MC_RME nice unit! That lockable USB-C is a monster! Do you have any plan to offer (e.g. by ALVA) a dual TRS to Pentaconn adapter?

 

[enricoclaudio]

@MC_RME nice unit! That lockable USB-C is a monster! Do you have any plan to offer (e.g. by ALVA) a dual TRS to Pentaconn adapter?

I use Hart Audio Cables modular system with all my headphones. In fact, I ordered yesterday the HC-8 cable for a Sennheiser HD480 Pro Plus that is on the way from Sweetwater. Hart Audio Cables makes the adapter you are asking for. Hart Audio Cables are made by hand in Tyler, Texas with Mogami cables and Neutrik connectors.

TC-9: 4.4mm Pentaconn to Dual 1/4

The TC-9 is used to connect balanced 4.4mm outputs or inputs (like what's in ifi's new stuff) to traditional dual 1/4" TRS formats. Available in 7 inch and 2.5 ft lengths Available in Red and Touch of Gray colorways CUSTOMIZE IT Use this product listing to order a custom version of the TC-9...

hartaudiocables.com

 

[Salt]

I use Hart Audio Cables modular system with all my headphones. In fact, I ordered yesterday the HC-8 cable for a Sennheiser HD480 Pro Plus that is on the way from Sweetwater. Hart Audio Cables makes the adapter you are asking for. Hart Audio Cables are made by hand in Tyler, Texas with Mogami cables and Neutrik connectors.

TC-9: 4.4mm Pentaconn to Dual 1/4

The TC-9 is used to connect balanced 4.4mm outputs or inputs (like what's in ifi's new stuff) to traditional dual 1/4" TRS formats. Available in 7 inch and 2.5 ft lengths Available in Red and Touch of Gray colorways CUSTOMIZE IT Use this product listing to order a custom version of the TC-9...

hartaudiocables.com

For Sennheiser I order the cable from Sennheiser ... but I'm not in US...

 

[john61ct]

I'm a big fan of Hart Audio as well, use their Interconnect standard (4-pin directional mini-XLR) quite profitably.

Use the contact form or place an order that needs any discussion, and you will usually be chatting with James the founder, also @brux on Head-Fi and /u/brux on Reddit.

Good guy, does the right thing by customers.

 

[stefanovesa]

I use Hart Audio Cables modular system with all my headphones. In fact, I ordered yesterday the HC-8 cable for a Sennheiser HD480 Pro Plus that is on the way from Sweetwater. Hart Audio Cables makes the adapter you are asking for. Hart Audio Cables are made by hand in Tyler, Texas with Mogami cables and Neutrik connectors.

TC-9: 4.4mm Pentaconn to Dual 1/4

The TC-9 is used to connect balanced 4.4mm outputs or inputs (like what's in ifi's new stuff) to traditional dual 1/4" TRS formats. Available in 7 inch and 2.5 ft lengths Available in Red and Touch of Gray colorways CUSTOMIZE IT Use this product listing to order a custom version of the TC-9...

hartaudiocables.com

Thanks @enricoclaudio Very well made cables! Actually in this case we need a Pentaconn female adapter to plug in the HD-650 balanced cable. I see that stuff on Aliexpress only.

 

[john61ct]

Thanks @enricoclaudio Very well made cables! Actually in this case we need a Pentaconn female adapter to plug in the HD-650 balanced cable. I see that stuff on Aliexpress only.

Have you asked him yet?

 

[stefanovesa]

Have you asked him yet?

not yet, the fact that I'm in Europe is a bit discouraging. They have a disclaimer about international shipping and I understand them...

 

[john61ct]

Check out Bluejeanscable

Kimber Kable

Arctic ?

 

[DonDish]

Can somebody give a case example of how and why to use the new SR trim function. This is also new to ADI-2pro fsrbe with latest firmware.

 

[rcstevensonaz]

Can somebody give a case example of how and why to use the new SR trim function. This is also new to ADI-2pro fsrbe with latest firmware.

I can't answer why I would ever use it. But to save everyone else having to search up what SR trim function is:

SR Trim stands for Sample Rate Trim (or Master Clock fine-tuning). It provides fine adjustment of the internal master clock over a range of ±50 ppm in steps of 0.1 ppm.

 

[MC_RME]

Well, it's a feature for technicians and nerds. What you could do (for fun) is connect a CD-player, set the ADI to internal clock, then fine-tune its sample rate so that it matches the CD player so well that it works without clicks and drop-outs, although there is no sync. This example makes no real sense, but in some rare applications where sync is not possible it can be quite useful. Note that +-50 ppm is quartz deviation territory. You can not hear any change in pitch, because +- 50 ppm equals less than one cent on a guitar or piano tuner, which typically is their lowest resolution, and audibility starts (best case with sine, not music) just above that. Just an example how far digital audio is on top of analog - 50 ppm not audible, steps to change 0.1 ppm...try this with your turntable

So yes, typically you don't have to use SR Trim. But that would also be true for many other settings. It's a bit different with the 2/4 Pro EX which uses this method to be calibrated in the factory to +-1 ppm accuracy (with SR Trim set to 0). Who doesn't like an accurate clock...

 

[MC_RME]

For some reason, Japanese manuals for the ADI-2 Pro FS and later models haven't been released. I'd like RME to release a PDF version of the Japanese manual as well.

Sorry, I overlooked your post. Please contact our distribution in Japan. They translate all our manuals and should have updated versions as well. https://rme-audio.jp/

 

[MC_RME]

@MC_RME nice unit! That lockable USB-C is a monster! Do you have any plan to offer (e.g. by ALVA) a dual TRS to Pentaconn adapter?

Yes, this way USB-C is indeed monster-stable and reliable. Regarding the adapter - I am sure I answered that before. AliExpress, look for 'OPENHEART Balanced Headphone Adapter Cable for RME TEAC Dual 6.35mm to 4.4mm Female to Dual 6.35mm Dual 1/4 to 4.4 Female Cable'. Around 20 bucks.

 

[Pearljam5000]

Why did you use AKM and not ESS chips?

Yes, this way USB-C is indeed monster-stable and reliable. Regarding the adapter - I am sure I answered that before. AliExpress, look for 'OPENHEART Balanced Headphone Adapter Cable for RME TEAC Dual 6.35mm to 4.4mm Female to Dual 6.35mm Dual 1/4 to 4.4 Female Cable'. Around 20 bucks.

 

[john61ct]

You didn't hear about that massive fire in 2020?

Their integration work to use ESS fully paid off since then, no reason objectively to go through all the work that would be required to switch back.

 

[rcstevensonaz]

You didn't hear about that massive fire in 2020?

Their integration work to use ESS fully paid off since then, no reason objectively to go through all the work that would be required to switch back.

Umm, I think you missed the point. @Pearljam5000 was asking why the the EX still uses AKM — perhaps in view of that fire and RME's effort to shift much of RME ADI-2 line to ESS. [Edit: also note that the ADI-2 Pro FS R never shifted away from AKM, and has remained AKM ever since the fire.]

P.s., my theory is that RME still has sufficient AKM chips left over from before the fire. Though I doubt @MC_RME will ever confirm or deny that theory.

 

[MC_RME]

I can easily deny it. We (like anyone else) use the newly available AKM chips now, which are basically the same thing as before. The ADI-2 Pro EX choice of AD/DA (same as before) is fully intentional. We see the Pro as a kind of industry standard. It is used in may places outside of home audio. For these long time availability with basically unchanged specs (THD, frequency response, conversion delay etc..) is a top priority, for replacement as well as extension. If someone needs even higher specs we have the 2/4 or (later) new 2 DAC. The ADI-2 Pro EX has several updates and new features to keep it more up to date, but conversion stays unchanged.

 

[rcstevensonaz]

I can easily deny it.

Thanks!!!

Because the product page only says AK4493 (not AK4493S or AK4493SEQ), I wrote a speculative post ("thought experiment") a few months ago. One aspect of the speculation was that since RME had a substantial stock of original AK4493 before the fire, maybe some of that inventory still remained since all of the other ADI-2 products had shifted away from AKM to ESS.

 

[waofner]

I' m a very happy owner for a few weeks now- i love the remote software to do tweaks on the fly.

but one thing is the best about RME:

I initially installed a wrong driver and crashed the system- stupid me.

Called RME Germany and a real! person answered and forwarded me to a technician who guided me for about 15 minutes until the problem was solved.

That is customer service at it's best!!!

personal conclusion: If RME products are within your budget- buy them.

 

[fin]

I can easily deny it. We (like anyone else) use the newly available AKM chips now, which are basically the same thing as before. The ADI-2 Pro EX choice of AD/DA (same as before) is fully intentional. We see the Pro as a kind of industry standard. It is used in may places outside of home audio. For these long time availability with basically unchanged specs (THD, frequency response, conversion delay etc..) is a top priority, for replacement as well as extension. If someone needs even higher specs we have the 2/4 or (later) new 2 DAC. The ADI-2 Pro EX has several updates and new features to keep it more up to date, but conversion stays unchanged.

It's not like software compatibility thing that you need to keep many old things unchanged. What could go wrong to improve analog specs of conversion in your new products with some better parts, and how keep specs where they were can be "top priority" is not easy to understand.