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

[rcstevensonaz]

I’m not so sure audio engineers are that concerned with obtaining the absolute best. They need good performance and robust, reliable tools above all else.

I wasn't so sure either. But that was what Google Search AI told me in its summary response to my query... (so it has to be true? )

But that was what got me thinking: if that was true, it would be reflected in the marketplace. We would see the companies who create the professional audio equipment rushing to incorporate the latest state-of-the-art chips to meet that need from professional audio engineers who are demanding the best audio quality and lowest noise.

And if that was true, by now, there would be plenty of audio interfaces, converters, etc. all using the AK4499-family chip or the flagship ESS chips. And the use of such chips would be prominently featured on the websites of those companies.

And if it was true, RME would be a laggard in the professional audio equipment sector since their products still use older AK4493 chips and/or chips from ESS that are not the flagship. So, as with @Chester, I'm not sure there is evidence professional audio engineers are concerned about having "flagship" state-of-the-art chips.

 

[Roland68]

Yeah but I mean look at Benchmark DACs

Not sure about that, especially against the newer chinese brands, specifically talking about the Topping D900. Technically and in specs it just simply blows away the pro EX.

Since the D900 and other dedicated DACs are frequently cited here for comparison, could it be that some posters have been misled by the incorrect thread title?

This thread is about the new professional RME ADI-2 Pro EX AD/DA USB audio interface, the successor to the ADI-2 Pro FS R Black Edition.

The counterpart to the D900 and other DACs is the as-yet-unannounced ADI-2 DAC EX, the successor to the ADI-2 DAC FS. However, its feature set would likely be vastly superior to that of all other DACs.
The use of the ESS9039Q2M chip in the ADI-2 DAC EX has not yet been officially confirmed.

Perhaps @RickS could remove the confusing "DAC" from the thread title or replace it with "AD/DA"?

 

[uliwer]

If someone needs even higher specs we have the 2/4 or (later) new 2 DAC.

Well, its clear that the 2/4 has higher specs, though the (new) 2 DAC Ex? Can we look forward to something really new, or was it just the shortened grammar of the phrase?

 

[DonDish]

I think MC said it pretty clearly. When you buy a new or replace an ADI2 pro, you get exactly what you know and what to expect from it. Its a sales point.
What would you get with another chipset besides a hefty pricetag? A few decibel of SNR. 1536kHz sample rate. I doubt any studio samples beyond 192khz and ADI2 pro already have like 127db SNR.
Id rather have what I got than RME making a new circuit design every two years. That level of production comes with its own cost and setbacks instead of refining an already proven design. Products can flop even while being good and that could be a mayor setback for an RME size firm. This isnt SONY in the late eighties.
And AKM where RMEs first choice, a preference from their engineers. I dont remember what, but at the time before the fire RME made points about AKM being a better converter. Maybe not soundwise, it could have been from a pure engineering perspective(!?). ESS came because of the fire and ADI2dac where redesigned for that.
Anyway I think RME could make a market for more crossover products. We will just have to wait and see.

 

[weme]

It is a great pity that the new EX-series devices (ADI-2 and ADI-2/4) do not have an additional USB-C port on the front panel – for example, one that can be switched on or off in the SET-UP menu.

Rackmount RM19-III (NEW):
Black Version Compatible to: ADI-2 DAC EX, ADI-2 Pro EX, ADI-2/4 Pro EX.

Rackmount Extensions | RME Audio Interaces - rme-usa.com

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

www.rme-usa.com

 

[Chanur]

I want one of these to use as a DAC that has PEQ and isn't 2k.

 

[rcstevensonaz]

I want one of these to use as a DAC that has PEQ and isn't 2k.

You are so in luck!!! There are plenty of options to choose from... many that are even under $200.

But please, that question does not belong on this topic. You should create your own thread focused on alternatives to RME ADI-2 that are under 2K.

 

[Chanur]

You are so in luck!!! There are plenty of options to choose from... many that are even under $200.

But please, that question does not belong on this topic. You should create your own thread focused on alternatives to RME ADI-2 that are under 2K.

Cool which of those have PEQ on the DAC and not just via software? Because that's what I'm referring too and it's pretty on topic.

 

[john61ct]

No, look at the title and OP for thread topic.

It is FREE and very easy to start your own thread, putting the right keywords and product name strings in the title / OP targeting YOUR new topic will attract more and better responses for you

without annoying members here to discuss the new RME ADI-2 specifically

 

[DonDish]

I want one of these to use as a DAC that has PEQ and isn't 2k.

You are right there you should be. ADI-2 EX pro or its cheaper/costlier siblings have excellent PEQ`s and other goodies implemented in HARDWARE (albeit this is not a thread for discussing a hundred other DAC`s. Sure that or those threads are aplenty here and elsewhere). When you have this you wont go back to sluggy, badly coded and latency inducing software equalizers. Everything is right at your fingertips.

A thing to keep in mind is that RME products are made from a sound engineering perspective so there is a numerical logic to every setting. Reading the manuals at RME website is a nice place to start.

 

[Chanur]

No, look at the title and OP for thread topic.

It is FREE and very easy to start your own thread, putting the right keywords and product name strings in the title / OP targeting YOUR new topic will attract more and better responses for you

without annoying members here to discuss the new RME ADI-2 specifically

I think discussing the price of a product line is perfectly in line with the discussion on it. Don't like it scroll past. Whining about it just causes the derail you are apparently trying to crusade against.

 

[john61ct]

discussing the price of a product line

Of course if you mean RME, that is indeed on topic. I agree they are expensive compared to the hundreds of other devices that have some functionalities in common.

Discussing details of functionality differences within that latter group is very much off topic.

 

[Justaguy]

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1997961-REG/rme_adi_2_4_pro_ex_ultra_fidelity_pcm_dsd_768_khz.html/overview

Product page for the new 2/4 Pro EX on B&H for $3,000.

 

[Hemi-Demon]

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1997961-REG/rme_adi_2_4_pro_ex_ultra_fidelity_pcm_dsd_768_khz.html/overview

Product page for the new 2/4 Pro EX on B&H for $3,000.

US Tariffs SUCK. I guess I will stick with my existing 2/4 SE. I was really looking forward to an upgrade, but the provided specs seem minimal relative to the significant price hike.

 

[BassTinker]

I found some more US shops to pre-order for 3k$, so I think this is to be expected. However, no European shop has listed them yet. If they will be 3k€ (or close to it), then bye-bye for me as well.

 

[Fletcher–Munson]

I found some more US shops to pre-order for 3k$, so I think this is to be expected. However, no European shop has listed them yet. If they will be 3k€ (or close to it), then bye-bye for me as well.

Yes, 3k is TOO MUCH for something that is not quite sure if it is better than its predecessors, and RME deliberately not confirming that makes the things even more suspicious and disappointing.

 

[girtab]

US Tariffs SUCK

Keep in mind 3000$ is 2672€ as of writing this, and given that Americans earn substantially more money than Europeans anyways, there isn't really a big disadvantage. The specs are basically the same, the only benefit is that the used market finally has more reasonable prices for the older gear. Hopefully they will finally settle for a while with the current revision though

 

[Sokel]

Keep in mind 3000$ is 2672€ as of writing this, and given that Americans earn substantially more money than Europeans anyways, there isn't really a big disadvantage. The specs are basically the same, the only benefit is that the used market finally has more reasonable prices for the older gear. Hopefully they will finally settle for a while with the current revision though

Out of curiosity, what would be the price at the East, China for example?

 

[Bland_username42069]

Waxwing or Adept into minidsp looks the power combo versus RME 2/4 pro ex. About 2000 dollars cheaper and more powerful

 

[Tovarich007]

Which power combo 2k less expensive are you talking about ?
A Minidsp device ? This brand is doing a pretty good job indeed and has released a lot of very good products.
But I can't see no MiniDsp that is actually the equivalent in connectivity and possibilities of the the new RME ADI-2 Pro EX AD/DA ? (not to mention RME's quality of service, at least in Europe). But maybe I've missed one in their line up ?
So please be more precise in your answer for the information of us all.

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