Pearljam5000
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Theoretically would a $100 Chinese DAC with the same DAC chip as the RME would sound as good as the RME?
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staticV3
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Sure, if in both cases the DAC chip is well implemented and the RME's DSP, differential Line out, and high output voltage are of no use for you.
There's no secret sauce in RME's products that, like, squeezes more sound quality out of those chips.
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The DAC chip is just part of a larger circuit. If the whole circuit measures well, reproducing sound with frequency response, noise and distortions below audibility, then yes, they would both sound the same. RME has a ton of features and reliability that a $100 DAC may not, but if you don't need them, then there's no reason to spend the extra cash.
Another consideration in RME favor is the amazing, long-term support the company provides for old devices, constantly updating firmware, adding features, fixing bugs, and making them easier to use. Some of the inexpensive DACs I own I can't even find a driver for download. Most are released and forgotten a month later when yet another cheap DAC is released.
KSTR
Major Contributor
Mabye yes, maybe no. You can completely mess up the analog stages, the power supply and voltage references, the clocking etc. Therefore, a DAC product with a chip with lesser specs than another chip could well be much better sounding and measuring than the other device.
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If all you need is a straight DAC functionality for your use case, then really no difference (regardless of country of origin) — assuming it is competently designed, which is the case for pretty much any "Chinese" or other DAC referenced on this site. And RME would say the same.
If you need—or just want—additional audio control features such as auto-ref volume control, tone & bass control, loudness adjustment, aux mixer send/receive via USB, etc., then a $100 DAC (regardless of country of origin) will not be as good as the RME.
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RME ADI 2/4 gives you an amazing DAC, DSP, built in headroom (for DAC and DSP), better filters than standard DAC filters, wider/higher voltage range, auto ref level to preserve SNR at almost any of that voltage range, and a built in ADC
DonDish
Senior Member
Better get ADI-2 pro. ADI 2/4 and the linear PSU is most of all a push for audiophile buyers. With the PSU its twice the price.
Why go with adi 2 pro instead of 2/4? Just curious what your thought process is. They are both on sale, so the units are the same price as the model below it at the moment. But going with the pro would still save you $500. Is there something other than saving money involved in your reasoning?
DonDish
Senior Member
They basically do the same. I thought about upgrading, but found it wasnt worth the dough.
Oh, if I already had the pro I wouldn't have upgraded either. Since it was heavily discounted for the anniversary, I jumped all over it
Interesting. Last shipping ADI-2/4 Pro SE has slots on the side of case. Not on top.
Maybe its an earlier design?
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The 2/4 has features that the Pro doesn't. Some people need those features so will pay extra for them. Simple as that. Nothing audiophile about it. The PSU on the other hand...
DonDish
Senior Member
Mostly RIAA enabled in the ESS DAC chip and heftier balanced output not justified by the added price IMHO. I remember there where great expectations for this product and I was looking forward to buy it, but it didnt deliver enough to upgrade from PRO. To your statement I think you are wrong. RIAA and the linear PSU made for 2/4 is certainely a push for "audiophile" buyers even though digital RIAA can be divisive for those buyers and somewhat counterproductive in a pure analog chain
About the added venting I think these boxes should be 3/4 instead of half rack size. It would add some breathing room for heat dissipation and give some more real estate at the back for maybe 2+2 XLR output. Coupled to a digital crossover :0 Proportionally better looking too.
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Yes.
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Did you read post #184?
RME ADI-2/4 Pro SE
Seems the first run are already sold out and you need to get on a dealer/distributor list to get one, according to a new announcement from MC over at the RME forum. Here is the @MC_RME post, for people to see: https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?pid=192552#p192552 To me, it seems that...
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DonDish
Senior Member
Sorry Mathias didnt even remember for such an old thread. Anyway Ill stand by my opinion: upgrading from PRO you get basically more of the same. If I would have to buy a new today I would buy the 2/4, and yes I would use the RIAA implemented into the ADC converter. Im sure its creme de la creme. ,but again and further. As a step-up from ADI-2pro I think its so and so. More DSP power and extra functions like x-overs, room EQ and maybe a bigger box could have set it apart. Well im not the one with an engineering office and a factory so im stil waiting for the succsessor to the ADI-2 PRO. I still have a stack of euros with RME marked on them..Did you read post #184?
RME ADI-2/4 Pro SE
Seems the first run are already sold out and you need to get on a dealer/distributor list to get one, according to a new announcement from MC over at the RME forum. Here is the @MC_RME post, for people to see: https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?pid=192552#p192552 To me, it seems that...
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I think you just nailed the product description, despite what seems a veiled denigration of RME's product update.
From all that I've read, the ADI-2 Pro S/E was always positioned as a limited change in functionality, combined with a shift to an ESS-based DSP chip. During that change, RME added some "minor" but very useful improvements — e.g., ability to send DSP-based channels 3/4 through the second set of outputs on the rear. And they added RIAA support since that was a capability available with the new ESS chip. It was never positioned as a major revision of the ADI-2 product.
Edit: I should add, I absolutely would have preferred those added "so and so" improvements of the 2/4 SE; they would be well worth the added cost. And I would have bought it; except it wasn't released until a few years after I already bought a Pro FS R black.
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WeekendWarrior
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I might buy one too, but oddly they are no longer listed on the RME website as a current product (nor a legacy one either).
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