Newly acquired RME ADI-2 Pro FS

[pollock0424]

Hello,
I have just acquired this beautiful unit and I'm excited to start my journey. It will be quite a learning process I guess. My intention is to use it as a headphone amp, AD/DA, PEQ for non-pro usecases.

 

[Jimbob54]

Took the liberty of amending the thread title to "Newly" rather than Newky. Hope that was correct or did you mean you sourced it from Newcastle ? ;-)

 

[pollock0424]

Haha! Damp and cold day increases the chances of "fat-fingering" lol.

Just to add a bit more context...
I have been looking for a SOTA DAC/H.Amp with PEQ and a display! I finally came across this product and it didn't take me more than 1 full day to finalize the purchase. My other option was to use a miniDSP into my SabajA10h but I wasn't impressed with my miniDSP SHD and I didn't want more stuff on my desk.

 

[SIY]

It will take weeks of playing with it to explore most of its capabilities. I've had mine for a few years now and it's one of the finest pieces of gear that I've ever owned.

 

[AnalogSteph]

RME gear is what I like to call "RTFMware", so be sure to do that.

 

[pkane]

Hello,
I have just acquired this beautiful unit and I'm excited to start my journey. It will be quite a learning process I guess. My intention is to use it as a headphone amp, AD/DA, PEQ for non-pro usecases.
View attachment 405482
View attachment 405488

Install the remote app. It’ll speed up learning and make everything much easier.

 

[fredoamigo]

Haha! Damp and cold day increases the chances of "fat-fingering" lol.

Just to add a bit more context...
I have been looking for a SOTA DAC/H.Amp with PEQ and a display! I finally came across this product and it didn't take me more than 1 full day to finalize the purchase. My other option was to use a miniDSP into my SabajA10h but I wasn't impressed with my miniDSP SHD and I didn't want more stuff on my desk.

It's not very intuitive at first, but there's a specialized forum on the subject and a multitude of tutorials on YT to help you get to grips with it and learn about its capabilities. On the other hand, there's the arrival of the ADI-2 Remote application...https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=39029

 

[suttondesign]

If you have trouble with the power cord falling out, it's because it's a locking barrel thingy. Rotate it.

 

[amper42]

The ADI-2 app makes everything 10x faster to learn, understand and use. Use the Mac or PC to setup the ADI-2 just the way you want it in a quarter of the time. I can't recommend it enough.

 

[pollock0424]

It took me about 15 to 20 minutes to change the output to Phones 3/4, input to RCA/TRS, set a PEQ of my liking, and change sampling to 192khz...all without reading the manual. It is intuitive.. but very dense. I want to get familiarized with the device UI and then install the app on my wife's Windows PC. I use Linux and I didn't see any support for it..

 

[fredoamigo]

It took me about 15 to 20 minutes to change the output to Phones 3/4, input to RCA/TRS, set a PEQ of my liking, and change sampling to 192khz...all without reading the manual. It is intuitive.. but very dense. I want to get familiarized with the device UI and then install the app on my wife's Windows PC. I use Linux and I didn't see any support for it..

In your case , what is the benefit or usefulness of oversampling?

 

[Aerith Gainsborough]

RME gear is what I like to call "RTFMware", so be sure to do that.

On top of that: the manual is very nicely done. Educational and entertaining at the same time, really worth a read.

 

[amper42]

On top of that: the manual is very nicely done. Educational and entertaining at the same time, really worth a read.

So is the "Bible".
When a user hasn't figured out how to insert the power cord using the twist-lock function you know reading the entire manual may be a challenge. Sometimes the "Quickstart" page is helpful for beginners. The on-line RME ADI-2 tutorial videos are also great for getting the user up and running. But, the absolute best tool for instant access to all the features is the RME ADI-2 Remote app. It offers easy access to all features within 3 pages instead of the rather unique push button/knob sequences required otherwise. With ADI-2 Remote installed operation is amazingly simple. In my opinion, it's one of the best features added to the unit.

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www.rme-usa.com

ADI-2 Remote Pre-Release: Step 1, macOS (Update: released) (Page 1) — ADI-2 & 2/4 Pro series, ADI-2 DAC series — RME User Forum

ADI-2 Remote Pre-Release: Step 1, macOS (Update: released) (Page 1) — ADI-2 & 2/4 Pro series, ADI-2 DAC series — RME User Forum —

forum.rme-audio.de

If RME adds wifi access to the ADI-2 Remote app in the future that would be amazing. Until then, I use a Mac with a shared screen to control the RME ADI-2 Remote app from anywhere in the building. Or a long USB cord to MBP.

 

[Matias]

The Remote app makes it so easy that it almost feels like cheating.

 

[pollock0424]

In your case , what is the benefit or usefulness of oversampling?

Not really any benefit other than me wanting to change it. Why use 44.1khz when it can do higher!

 

[Jimbob54]

The Remote app makes it so easy that it almost feels like cheating.

Anyone that has ever tried naming and saving the name of an EQ profile using the push and twist knobs (whilst kneeling on a hard floor with no reading glasses on) would disagree with you. Its had me in tears before.

 

[unpluggged]

But, the absolute best tool for instant access to all the features is the RME ADI-2 Remote app

Yes, but only after you have familiarized with these features and their description. That's why reading the manual first is essential.

 

[amper42]

The Remote app makes it so easy that it almost feels like cheating.

I have to agree with this. Before the RME ADI-2 Remote app there was a "right of passage" that new RME owners had to go through to fully understand the business end of the knobs and buttons. Secret hand shakes and hazing were required to reach RME priesthood levels. You needed to get up close and personal with the screen even in awkward positions. I would guess more than 50% of ADI-2 buyers never completely understood the possibilities. And a few gave up and sold their units as it was more than they could handle.

The ADI-2 Remote app changes all that. Not only are all the settings easily accessible but you no longer need to learn the "Secret hand shakes" or go back to the manual to remember how to change a setting you setup a few weeks ago. It's a total game changer. -"almost feels like cheating" is exactly right.

 

[pollock0424]

Okay, all audio gurus here! I have a fundamental question..

During the AD process, how can I be sure that my input signal is not clipping the input stages of the RME. Also, I would like to understand reference levels for both digital and analog in general. For e.g., in Tape medium magnetic flux of 200nwb/m is reference dolby level and it is used as reference 0dB.

I want to get some type of confirmation that I'm not clipping any stage. I can hear it but what are other and more educated means ? Do the display VU meters show that? I started reading the manual but I'd like some expert lessons as well.

I'm very well aware of logarithmic scale.

 

[SIY]

Do the display VU meters show that?

Yes.

If you have a test tone at 0dBFS, set gain so that it's just below clipping.