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New RME ADI-2 Pro EX DAC

I have still backup power suply from previous rme adi 2 model, is the same connector in new model?

1. Im assuming also the sound quality will be exactly the same like adi 2 FS basic model which is quite problematic assumimg requested price.

2. Still no room correction features based on mic measurements etc.
 
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g_t_r said:
I have still backup power suply from previous rme adi 2 model, is the same connector in new model?

1. Im assuming also the sound quality will be exactly the same like adi 2 FS basic model which is quite problematic assumimg requested price.

2. Still no room correction features based on mic measurements etc.
Click to expand...
There might be other reasons why they created a new model other than just trying to upgrade it's sound
 
g_t_r said:
sound quality will be exactly the same like adi 2 FS basic model which is quite problematic
Click to expand...
Really? As a plain AD/DA converter?

Does not test that way. Yes there are cheaper brands where the SQ difference may not be audible but this is a studio professional-level tool

you pay for rock solid drivers, features like ADAT and AES/EBU the reference-grade HPamp, etc too.

Yes they also include some DSP related to front-end preamp functions

but expecting DRC is IMO a bit much.

Yes this is just an incremental upgrade not intended to be some huge leap.
 
Obviously the new versions have improved cooling but I’ve never seen any discussion of heat issues with the previous range. Is there actually an issue or was this just an opportunity to optimise the design further?
 
Chester said:
Obviously the new versions have improved cooling but I’ve never seen any discussion of heat issues with the previous range. Is there actually an issue or was this just an opportunity to optimise the design further?
Click to expand...
On hot summer days I've measured ~ 60degC on the bottom chassis of my ADI-2 Pros, in idle mode, rising to dangerous (skin burns) 70degC when stressed. Placing them vertically reduced that by 15 degrees, due to effective airflow and more radiation into free space.
While I don't know of any hard failures, I do know and experienced that the overcurrent protection of the headphone outputs kicks in way earlier when hot.
Heat and notably temperature cycling are never good for electronics and will always affect long term reliability. These are consumer devices, not automotive let alone aerospace/mil spec.
 
ShiZo said:
There might be other reasons why they created a new model other than just trying to upgrade it's sound
Click to expand...
They should definitely do something with the sound :) Adi 2 sounds noticeably worse than my 30 years ML Levinson dac (30.5). ML has everything better (quiet background, 3D, bass, dynamic, details, flow, layers...). 30 years difference in audio... Adi is very very entry level in terms of SQ , quite ok as desktop DAC to drive studio monitors. Finally I sold this unit, but looking for some upgrade.
 
g_t_r said:
They should definitely do something with the sound :) Adi 2 sounds noticeably worse than my 30 years ML Levinson dac (30.5). ML has everything better (quiet background, 3D, bass, dynamic, details, flow, layers...). 30 years difference in audio... Adi is very very entry level in terms of SQ , quite ok as desktop DAC to drive studio monitors. Finally I sold this unit, but looking for some upgrade.
Click to expand...
Nonsense
 
g_t_r said:
They should definitely do something with the sound :) Adi 2 sounds noticeably worse than my 30 years ML Levinson dac (30.5). ML has everything better (quiet background, 3D, bass, dynamic, details, flow, layers...). 30 years difference in audio... Adi is very very entry level in terms of SQ , quite ok as desktop DAC to drive studio monitors. Finally I sold this unit, but looking for some upgrade.
Click to expand...
If by sound better you mean add distortion, sure. I did notice the DC filter default "rme" made it subjectively sound worse to me though. Turning it to on so it still blocks DC but doesn't filter it is what I did
 
g_t_r said:
They should definitely do something with the sound :) Adi 2 sounds noticeably worse than my 30 years ML Levinson dac (30.5). ML has everything better (quiet background, 3D, bass, dynamic, details, flow, layers...). 30 years difference in audio... Adi is very very entry level in terms of SQ , quite ok as desktop DAC to drive studio monitors. Finally I sold this unit, but looking for some upgrade.
Click to expand...

Sounds like this Levinson dac is improving and enhancing the sound and RME is known for the true representation of the original source - no artificial betterness and coloration, showing the sounds what it is. I don't think comparing them is adequate, because they have different purpose.
 
Fletcher–Munson said:
is improving and enhancing the sound and RME is known for the true representation of the original source
Click to expand...
To me it is not the device’s job to modify the signal, and having a hardware device impose a fixed layer of EQ or other processing filter on everything I hear is the last thing I want from any audio electronics, in case you did can hear a difference. There is no “improving” or “enhancing” other than correction through the playback chain. At that point it becomes some kind of remixing, re-creation, or you can call it fan-made art instead of the original creation. It can be better or worse subjectively, but it's should not be the job of a DAC, other than being transparency.
 
Yes electronics like amps and interfaces / format converters should 100% be transparent, zero coloration of their own.

However user-space choices like OG preamps had, are very useful

plus of course crossovers, phase / delay tuning, speaker / driver EQ, DRC etc etc

are all very helpful when used skillfully.

Ideally only in service to CORRECTING issues with the content, speakers, room issues etc the goal being "even better" fidelity to the artist intentions

But in the end everything is in fact up to the taste of the user.

However I agree any coloration should be Non-Default, not "baked into" any electronics.

Speakers and mic's just like Rooms, that really can't be avoided.
 
Why we blindly believe that if something measures good sounds also good and nothing can be improved in terms of sound quality? It would mean that the reason why Levinson 30.5 sounds better is only associated with added distortions. How about separate power supply with separate toroid's per section, how about class A output stage, better chassis / etc.
 
g_t_r said:
Why we blindly believe that if something measures good sounds also good and nothing can be improved in terms of sound quality?
Click to expand...
Nah sorry, you don’t get to categorize it as “blind belief”.


g_t_r said:
It would mean that the reason why Levinson 30.5 sounds better is only associated with added distortions.
Click to expand...
Does it sound better? Confirmed in a properly conducted test, properly blinded level matched etc

g_t_r said:
better chassis
Click to expand...

Really??
 
g_t_r said:
Why we blindly believe that if something measures good sounds also good and nothing can be improved in terms of sound quality? It would mean that the reason why Levinson 30.5 sounds better is only associated with added distortions. How about separate power supply with separate toroid's per section, how about class A output stage, better chassis / etc.
Click to expand...
For over 25 years, I have been running a project with a few developers, engineers, and measurement technicians in which we always compare equipment first through very rigorous, strictly level-matched, and completely blind listening tests, and then investigate the audible differences using measurements.
This has involved hundreds of amplifiers and DACs across all price ranges, extending up to the mid-five-figure bracket. These included various expensive Class A power amps and many truly high-priced power amps and DACs from renowned audiophile manufacturers.

I have since parted with a large portion of my expensive gear, keeping only a few special collector's items.
Personally, I couldn't care less whether a device in my setup costs €50,000 or €500; for me, the sound is what matters.
In my main setup, depending on my mood, I run either an SMSL D200 or the original Cambridge Audio DACMAGIC 1 paired with a Yamaha A-S2100 or a NAD 2200.
However, I listen via the fully digital Sabaj A30a much more frequently.

My desktop setup includes, among other things, an SMSL D1 and a 3E Audio A5.

You might want to think about why someone who cares exclusively about sound and precise reproduction doesn't use devices that cost 100 times more to listen to music.
 
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Hopefully that's non-final silkscreening on the back, and the line outputs are still independent - so I can use them as sub outs with their own EQ.
 
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