RME ADI-2/4 Pro SE

[staticV3]

One of the official features of the 2/4 Pro SE is

But whenever I insert headphones into Phones 3/4, then Line 1/2 on the rear goes "off". What is the problem and how to avoid it? It doesn't matter if I use single ended headphones into TRS plug 3/4 or balanced headphones into Pentaconn plug.

It's never a bad idea to read the User Manual

 

[asrUser]

need a tl;dr manual
If only the default options weren't awful.

Now I can use Pentaconn, both TRS into XLR adapter and Rear 1/2 simultaneously.

 

[MC_RME]

If only the default options weren't awful.

A default that makes 99% of the users happy can not be awful.

need a tl;dr manual

The unit comes with a printed manual, so where is the problem?

 

[MC_RME]

You are right. If it's possible on ADI-2 DAC (price: $1,400) and ADI-2 Pro (price $2,000) to keep Phone/IEM/Line out settings separate...
...why is it "impossible" on a ADI 2/4 Pro SE, which is using a higher end chip and is priced at $2,500?

Because the memory is limited, and the 2/4 Pro SE already has one settings page more (Phones 1/2) than the 2-Pro. The 2-DAC does not even have more than 2 out channels, so memory was used for 'shadow' pages that hold the settings of currently unused outputs.

 

[MC_RME]

So volume settings of 3/4 and 3/4 Phones are also coupled? The manual didn't say so or maybe it's drawn on one of the diagrams which I don't really understand anyway. The texts only mentioned 1/2 Phones and 1/2 rear being coupled.

The way the rear TRS are switched onto the DAC 3/4 part is easily understood by looking at the unit's block diagram at the end of the manual, not the diagrams explaining the various 'Basic Modes'. And the manual clearly says:

Rear TRS Source (only Phones Out 3/4)
Line 1/2, Phones 3/4. Default: Line 1/2. The rear TRS outputs can be switched from Line Out 1/2 to Phones 3/4 as source. See block diagram chapter 34.29. The settings of Phones Out 3/4 are then also active for TRS, including the Ref Level. The Line Ref Level +13 dBu is therefore not available.

It should be clear that a fully independent output TRS 3/4 requires 2 more DAC channels (6 in total).

 

[Jimbob54]

One of the official features of the 2/4 Pro SE is

But whenever I insert headphones into Phones 3/4, then Line 1/2 on the rear goes "off". What is the problem and how to avoid it? It doesn't matter if I use single ended headphones into TRS plug 3/4 or balanced headphones into Pentaconn plug.

Disable auto mute as I quoted from the manual

21.5.The menu includes an option to turn off the rear outputs as soon as a connector is plugged into the PH 3/4 jack. Default is Mute On when plugged."

 

[asrUser]

It should be clear that a fully independent output TRS 3/4 requires 2 more DAC channels (6 in total).

The ES3038 Pro and newer ones got 8 channels in total. No idea if brands like Topping ever use it to the fullest, but ADI devices might benefit from it. Then again this DAC would require RME to redesign much more compared to ES3038Q2M?

 

[Rja4000]

ES3038 Pro and newer ones got 8 channels in total

That's the main difference with the 9038Q2M, if I understood it well.
To get best rating SINAD, some brand are combining 4 or even all 8 channels to do one channel.
This lowers the noise (not the distortions).

That has little other use than shining here (or allow those DACs to beat Amir's AP), to be honnest.

Devices like the RME UCX II or the higher I/O counts UFX II or UFX III are using multiple channels DAC chips, I suppose.

 

[jayanta]

Greetings All,

I'm planning to but the RME ADI 2/4 Pro SE as an endgame DAC/ AMP. I'm planning to use it with DCA E3.

Not seeing that much reviews or videos about this unit, there is not much hype going on like the ADI-2.

Have a question about the Balanced 4.4 mm headphone out. Is it good enough for full size headphones or it is only meant for iem usage ?

To get the full Power of balanced headphone out, Do I need to buy an adapter like the ADI-2 pro ? How is it compared to the standalone 4.4 balanced out ?

It's surprising how less information available and somebody in RME forum already mentioned there is almost no difference in sound quality compared to normal ADI-2 which uses a better DAC (the AKM), I might be wrong but surprisingly there is not much posts available and people seems not that much interested buying it, wondering will it be a good purchase at all.

Any suggestion and help is appriciated.


Thanks,
-Jay

 

[staticV3]

Have a question about the Balanced 4.4 mm headphone out. Is it good enough for full size headphones or it is only meant for iem usage ?

This should answer your question:


4W per channel is deep into full-size headphone territory.

To get the full Power of balanced headphone out, Do I need to buy an adapter like the ADI-2 pro ?

The full power is available directly from the Pentaconn jack.

How is it compared to the standalone 4.4 balanced out ?

How is what compared to the 4.4 balanced out?

It's surprising how less information available and somebody in RME forum already mentioned there is almost no difference in sound quality compared to normal ADI-2 which uses a better DAC (the AKM)

The normal ADI-2 uses an ESS DAC:

 

[Salt]

No issues here whatever headphone(-plug).
Read specifications to know why ...

 

[VintageFlanker]

This product has its entire thread already :

RME ADI-2/4 Pro SE

More power and 4.4 mm Pentacon, yay! https://www.gearnews.com/superbooth-2022-new-rme-adi-2-4-pro-se-dac-interface-spotted/

www.audiosciencereview.com

It's surprising how less information available and somebody in RME forum already mentioned there is almost no difference in sound quality compared to normal ADI-2 which uses a better DAC (the AKM),

What are you talking about ?

 

[jayanta]

This should answer your question:
View attachment 360924

4W per channel is deep into full-size headphone territory.


The full power is available directly from the Pentaconn jack.


How is what compared to the 4.4 balanced out?


The normal ADI-2 uses an ESS DAC:
View attachment 360926

Thank you so much for answering. What I meant is how the Power output ia compared if I use balanced via an adapter from the 2, 1/4 inch headphones out like the Adi-2 pro. But I guess you already answered, 4w per channel, I think will be good enough for even the Stealth, I'll be using the E3 which needs less power than the Stealth.

 

[jayanta]

This product has its entire thread already :

RME ADI-2/4 Pro SE

More power and 4.4 mm Pentacon, yay! https://www.gearnews.com/superbooth-2022-new-rme-adi-2-4-pro-se-dac-interface-spotted/

www.audiosciencereview.com

What are you talking about ?

Thanks for replying and the link. Do you think it is worth the price compared to the regular Adi-2 which is now sell for 1200$, 50% of this one in spite of some added features and balanced out ? This is what i found in one of the RME forums, however below is generated by Google, didn't find the exact forum link

According to an RME forum post, the ADI 2/4 Pro SE has almost no difference in sound quality compared to the ADI-2. However, the ADI 2/4 Pro SE has some differences

Another RME forum post mentions about it but it is compared to adi-2 pro

Forum message — RME User Forum

Thanks again for answering, appreciate your help.

 

[sonitus mirus]

Thank you so much for answering. What I meant is how the Power output ia compared if I use balanced via an adapter from the 2, 1/4 inch headphones out like the Adi-2 pro. But I guess you already answered, 4w per channel, I think will be good enough for even the Stealth, I'll be using the E3 which needs less power than the Stealth.

I have a DCA Stealth with a Pentaconn connector and it is a great match with my ADI-2/4 PRO SE. The Stealth is about 23 ohms and the DAC more likely provides just a bit over 2.6W, where the E3 at 27 ohms will see closer to 3W. It is more than loud enough to seriously damage your hearing if you listen for very short periods of time anything near that level. And you won't hear any distortion at those ear-bleeding levels. I think you will be pleased.

 

[sonitus mirus]

Thanks for replying and the link. Do you think it is worth the price compared to the regular Adi-2 which is now sell for 1200$, 50% of this one in spite of some added features and balanced out ? This is what i found in one of the RME forums, however below is generated by Google, didn't find the exact forum link

According to an RME forum post, the ADI 2/4 Pro SE has almost no difference in sound quality compared to the ADI-2. However, the ADI 2/4 Pro SE has some differences

Another RME forum post mentions about it but it is compared to adi-2 pro

Forum message — RME User Forum

Thanks again for answering, appreciate your help.

There should be absolutely no audible differences between the ADI-2 series DACs you mentioned if they are used within their intended specifications. If you can test one, you might save yourself some money. It is more about features and volume level for difficult to drive headphones when it comes to any differences.

 

[jayanta]

That's a great idea. The problem is most of the shops here I checked have the regular adi-2 Fs but they don't have the adi 2/4 pro se, not even the adi-2 pro. Best thing I can do buy the e3 first test with adi-2 fs, if it is good enough then buy it and save 1200$ but sometimes thinking if I get a good deal and settle with 2/4 pro se and be happy that no need to buy any dac / amp for for another few years endgame reached as later I have a plan to buy 2 Genelec speakers (Mostly I'll go with 8331) and would be a great setup.

 

[rcstevensonaz]

That's a great idea. The problem is most of the shops here I checked have the regular adi-2 Fs but they don't have the adi 2/4 pro se, not even the adi-2 pro.

You don't mention which country, so I am assuming USA. For professional audio equipment (e.g., RME, Neumann, Genelec, Ashley, Shure, beyerdynamic, Sennheiser, etc.), I've had great luck ordering through Tim Finnegan <[email protected]> at Dale Pro Audio in the past. That was several years ago, so not sure if he is still there; and if not, someone else can help you out.

Dale Pro Audio's website lists the RME ADI-2 Pro 2/4 (RME-ADI24PROSE) as "Not in Stock". But my experience in the past is that simply means they don't keep units it in their warehouse; but after your order is placed, they source an order directly from their distributor / vendor for shipping to you. That may be equally true for other places that sell RME, where it can be ordered with quick shipping, but is not an item that they pre-order in bulk and then have sitting on the shelf in their warehouse.

 

[jayanta]

Thanks for your response. You guessed correct, I'm from Northern Virginia. We have many high end Audio shops near by which carries the regular ADI-2 DAC FS but not the 2/4 pro or even pro. Del Pro Audio is really a good store but they are in New York pretty far from my place. But surely I'll check with them if there is a provision to audition them, may be when I visit NY, if they have it in stock I can check, I'm purchasing the E3 this week, I'll first test it with RME Adi-2 at my nearby Audio Store. Thanks again for the info.

 

[Jimbob54]

That's a great idea. The problem is most of the shops here I checked have the regular adi-2 Fs but they don't have the adi 2/4 pro se, not even the adi-2 pro. Best thing I can do buy the e3 first test with adi-2 fs, if it is good enough then buy it and save 1200$ but sometimes thinking if I get a good deal and settle with 2/4 pro se and be happy that no need to buy any dac / amp for for another few years endgame reached as later I have a plan to buy 2 Genelec speakers (Mostly I'll go with 8331) and would be a great setup.

Think you are right to see if the base ADI2 DAC FS will be sufficient. Even if it isnt , Im not sure what the 2/4 Pro SE brings to the table for your use case that the standard Pro doesnt if you get the balanced adapter - bit more power you likely wont need for quite a bit more and you can configure the 2/4 for low power IEM use like the DAC FS but I dont think you can with the Pro.