Compared to most consumer products which come with four page machine translated gibberish and cover wrong production version this is very nice. I know you're bit of joking here but a proper manual is great to have and a hard copy is pretty much non-existent nowadays.
-
WANTED: Happy members who like to discuss audio and other topics related to our interest. Desire to learn and share knowledge of science required. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!
RME ADI-2 DAC FS or the new Fiio K19
- Thread starter jkim
- Start date
One part is about trust and software. Have you seen Fiio R7? That's pretty hideous.
Also, 31 bands is totally over the top. I don't see Fiio really concentrating on useful features or polishing them. And of course no safety features. It's just bits and pieces for way over $1000.
It has plenty of power and I have no doubts about amp and dac section. There's no reason they'd be off spec. Machining looks nice too. But for this price I need more.
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2020
- Messages
- 1,996
- Likes
- 2,961
RME is continually improving the ADI-2 product. Look at the many firmware updates released in the last 4 years. It's positively amazing. New features come out in each update, it's not just bug fixes. When users pushed for PC software control of the ADI-2 at first we got excuses of how it might not be possible but within 18 months magically software control for the ADI-2 was released. I absolutely love how easy it makes my ADI-2 to use and instantly view all the settings! I don't have this level of control from any other piece of audio gear.
When you buy Filo you get a defined set of features. They will not improve over time. Once Filo releases that product they are on to designing the next. Intentionally, they want you to have to upgrade for ANY new features. That's the normal business model. RME offers us a different vision.
RME's ethic is to give existing customers more features and make the device even better over time. NO OTHER COMPANY in the audio space does this so well. It's an amazing gift for customers. You know when you buy RME you are getting a level of continual product development not found elsewhere. It makes the price seem cheap when I consider how many FREE upgrades I have enjoyed with the ADI-2 in the last 3 years. The ADI-2 is a "LIVE" product continually improving as you own it. Filo? Not so much.
Compare the RME ADI-2 DAC FS manual to the Filo K19 manual if you want a laugh.
Last edited:
This is not true. Just recently Fiio added a global 10 band peq to the R7, R9, and a few of their DAPs via firmware update. They do improve their products.
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2020
- Messages
- 1,996
- Likes
- 2,961
Where is the Filo English manual? All I found on the website was 4 pages of Chinese?
Looks like the "Quick Start Guide" on their website has both Chinese and English. I agree the manual that comes with the ADI-2 is impressive, most products these days just include a thin quick start guide, and you have to go to the website or forums for more info.
I'm not partial to one manufacturer or another, I've owned an RME ADI-2 as well as products from Fiio and others, and they each have their strengths and weaknesses. I just think the K19 looks promising and I look forward to seeing some reviews and/or measurements.
A data point, for what it's worth:
My ADI-2 DAC failed after a few months, and I was only able to obtain a warranty replacement after lots of intervention by an excellent dealer.
My ADI-2 DAC failed after a few months, and I was only able to obtain a warranty replacement after lots of intervention by an excellent dealer.
johny_2000
Active Member
What was wrong with it?
Defective op amp
- Thread Starter
- #30
Wow, so much information so far. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and experiences!
I have decided to order the RME (DAC only version).
I will use the RME to drive my Genelec desktop monitor/subwoofer setup as well.
5-band PEQ will be sufficient for my use. I personally think EQ'ing is a must for virtually ANY headphones (and speakers), BUT at the same time headphones/speakers in need of too many filters are not worth having.
I have decided to order the RME (DAC only version).
I will use the RME to drive my Genelec desktop monitor/subwoofer setup as well.
5-band PEQ will be sufficient for my use. I personally think EQ'ing is a must for virtually ANY headphones (and speakers), BUT at the same time headphones/speakers in need of too many filters are not worth having.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2019
- Messages
- 11,637
- Likes
- 15,768
You actually get 7 bands with the rme as long as you use B and T controls as high and low shelves. They are configurable with freq and slope in the menus and even easier using the gui on the remote app. Can be tied to an eq profile or independent
Can you explain the feature and what it does to music? How does it "enhance" the music in a way that other devices can't?
I would appreciate if you were to say more about having 7 bands. Is it 7 bands per channel? I'm torn between the Fiio and the RME and I need more than 5 PEQ per channel for my room calibration EQ for speakers (I don't use EQ on headphones) - and judging only about this, the Fiio is the way to go. I hear so many great things about the RME product that I'd even go for it if I could get 7 PEQ per channel.
Also, does anyone knows how "destructive" for the audio quality is the PEQ implementation in the RME product? I read recently that Fiio's implementation is done differently and comes for the first time without distortion, through their novel DSP thingie. Any help on this specific part would be greatly appreciated.
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2020
- Messages
- 1,996
- Likes
- 2,961
Here's what makes RME different. You can use 5 bands of EQ if you like or the Loudness function or both at the same time. What I find is if I use the Loudness function it's VERY rare I would also need EQ too. If I do it's typically targeting a small single dip in the midrange. The Loudness function on RME isn't like a "loudness" button you might find on older gear. It's amazingly advanced.
1. You set the gain for the bass and what frequency targeted.
2. You customize the treble gain and frequencies impacted.
3. You set what volume is fully impacted and as you increase past it the Loudness impact slowly decreases.
4. You can set these settings while listening to live music so it's exactly how you want it for your favorite tunes.
5. The remote allows you to engage/disengage at the push of a button and you can tell when it's on based on the LCD screen.
6. See section 8.5 of the RME manual for detailed functionality.
You won't hear anything like it anywhere else. It's the best tool I have for customizing my sound. You might think you need 7 filters but with the RME Loudness control your speakers will sound better than you ever expected without 7 filters. In addition, the RME doesn't add distortion when Loudness/EQ is engaged unlike most other built-in EQ apps.
You won't realize how great it is until you try it.
Last edited:
Beware the dragon that is marketing. Everything is always "novel". I'm sure it's more clean than some devices/apps/plugins of old but compared to other well implemented solutions? DSPs and good EQs are not new anymore. And even in old days the pros always outweighted the cons when you really needed an EQ.
Amper42 did a very good intro. But if you have need for more then by all means buy Fiio. I'm a bit biased because everytime a company introduces something new (to them) it tends... not to work as planned and needs a few updates for the first year at least. And this is the most interesting part, how is their product support. But that's me and bias because of my work.
if Fiio reviews well in the areas you need then ok ok of course.johny_2000
Active Member
And this is the main problem of all these companies (FiiO, Topping, SMSL). They do not maintain the same production model over several years of the life cycle to eliminate all software and hardware problems. Instead, they switch to a new model with a different design and components. And the circle repeats.
I came across a subjective comparison here
www.head-fi.org
FIIO K19, the flagship desktop DAC and headphone amplifier
Hi, A little disappointed in the mixed reviews about the K19. I do not own it, but I was giving it a thought... I am really surprised with comments that says that it does nto sound super preicse and detailed. I own the Shanling EH-3 that sports the same DAC chip. And... my oh my... It can...
www.head-fi.org
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2020
- Messages
- 1,996
- Likes
- 2,961
I came across a subjective comparison here
FIIO K19, the flagship desktop DAC and headphone amplifier
Hi, A little disappointed in the mixed reviews about the K19. I do not own it, but I was giving it a thought... I am really surprised with comments that says that it does nto sound super preicse and detailed. I own the Shanling EH-3 that sports the same DAC chip. And... my oh my... It can...
It's interesting the guy writing the article doesn't really use the ADI-2 DAC FS unique features like Loudness. Instead, he's focused on basic features like volume change feedback? Crazy, how the best RME features get overlooked.
@Jimbob54 I am wondering if you tried hifiman Arya Organic, DCA E3 and Aeon 2 Noire? Will the amp of ADI-2 DAC FS sufficient to drive these headphones with authority?
Are you sure 31 PEQ at +/-24dB is enough? Wouldn't more be better?
Fiio only has a measly 8W output! beware, adjusting one of those PEQ bands to +24dB, you need the same in preamp cut, you then need a lot more gain & power!
Just saying . . . 
Fiio only has a measly 8W output! beware, adjusting one of those PEQ bands to +24dB, you need the same in preamp cut, you then need a lot more gain & power!
Just saying . . .
Similar threads
