RME ADI-2 FS Version 2 DAC and Headphone Amp Review

[Deleted member 71304]

Apologies if this question is a bit silly.
I am using a wiim pro plus as a streamer connected to the rme adi-2 dac via coax.
When applying REW measurements I have tried both device's prametric EQ's and have the impression that the difference between with and without the PEQ filters (of course, applying the same filters) is clearer when using the RME.
Now I wonder if there is a difference in the PEQ quality or am I just biased and projecting on the sound something that is not there?
Has anyone had a similar experience?

 

[Matias]

Apologies if this question is a bit silly.
I am using a wiim pro plus as a streamer connected to the rme adi-2 dac via coax.
When applying REW measurements I have tried both device's eqs and have the impression that (applying the same filters) the RME "improves" the sound in a significantly clearer way than the wiim.
Now I wonder if there is a difference in the PEQ quality or am I just biased and projecting on the sound something that is not there?
Has anyone had a similar experience?

The only difference I know of is that when applying overall negative gain to offset any possible digital clipping that your EQ may cause, the WiiM does it fully in the digital domain, while the RME uses its AutoRef hybrid gain. In theory this may give you extra SNR compared to digital attenuation only.

 

[Jimbob54]

The only difference I know of is that when applying overall negative gain to offset any possible digital posso that your EQ may cause, the WiiM does it fully in the digital domain, while the RME used its AutoRef hybrid gain. In theory this may give you extra SNR compared to digital attenuation only.

I may be wrong too but I think applying eq in the rme may be louder too. It has acres of headroom so doesn't apply negative preamp. So if OP is adding any negative on the Wiim, rme doing the eq will be that amount louder. You may have explained the same thing differently.

 

[MeatWolf]

So now when topping finally released d90 iii discreet with PEQ, have anyone compared it with RME? Been waiting for DAC with PEQ for quite a while and now I'm puzzled as to what I should pick. Going to use it with adam t5v speakers.

 

[Matias]

So now when topping finally released d90 iii discreet with PEQ, have anyone compared it with RME? Been waiting for DAC with PEQ for quite a while and now I'm puzzled as to what I should pick. Going to use it with adam t5v speakers.

Welcome to ASR. Read this post carefully and then you can understand how higher SINAD and PEQ alone is not enough to have better SNR in all volume ranges like the RME does.

RME ADI-2 FS Version 2 DAC and Headphone Amp Review

Sure it can. I use the original AEON with it, and unless you want to enter real basshead territory (at least +20 dB gain below 60 Hz plus earth-shaking volume) it is fully ok. Nice. Original AEONS had 92dB/1mW sensitivity. New AEON 2 are quite a bit harder to drive 86 dB/1mW (into 13 ohms...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Sphynxx]

That sound stage text is mostly imagination but there are reasons in an A/B test the RME ADI-2 DAC FS can sound much better than a standard DAC. If you have used the "Loudness" controls to tweak the sound the difference can be enormous. The beauty of the Loudness controls is you can be listening to your favorite music and add a bit of kick to the music even when listening at lower levels. Or if you have speakers/headphones that sound somewhat dull you can make them sharp and clear with a few adjustments.

You would need to verify EQ and Loudness are both OFF to properly compare the RME to a standard DAC, as with the Loudness controls turned on just the way you like them nothing else will beat it. You can call it Soundstage if you like. But to most it's the difference between an exciting music playback session and an adequate one.

I did a test with EQ and Loudness off, and compared to iFi Audio micro iDSD Signature
RME, even with EQ and Loudness off, blows away the iFi Audio micro iDSD Signature
It sounds much better, larger, I don't know how to explain it

 

[PGAMiami]

Although there is an existing thread about remote controls for the RME DAC, I thought it would be helpful to also post here information on how you can control the volume and mute on the RME ADI-2 DAC with Roon, something I had been trying to do since I got the RME. You simply need a Raspberry Pi4 with RooExtend and RooADI, and your RME becomes a fully Roon controlled streamer. Works perfectly with all sample rates I tried and DSD. Lossless. Sounds great. Compatible with Auto Ref Level.

Check out Sellcodes.com!

Have a look at Device Volume Control for RME ADI-2 family DACs on Sellcodes.com:https://sellcodes.com/DrCWO/roon-device-volume-for-rme-adi-2-family-of-dacs

sellcodes.com

 

[unpluggged]

simply need a Raspberry Pi4

"Simply". And just for $13 on top of that.

And haven't you already got warned for advertising this exact product?

 

[PGAMiami]

"Simply". And just for $13 on top of that.

And haven't you already got warned for advertising this exact product?

No, I haven’t been warned. I’m a customer explaining what worked for me and included a link to the product website. Yes it happens to have a buy button, but it’s also the only place where I see any information on this.

 

[unpluggged]

No, I haven’t been warned. I’m a customer explaining what worked for me and included a link to the product website. Yes it happens to have a buy button, but it’s also the only place where I see any information on this.

Why crossposting then?

 

[PGAMiami]

Why crossposting then?

Simply trying to share information I found very useful with RME owners where it’s most likely to be seen. Is there a problem with that?

 

[PGAMiami]

I’ve been using the SRC in Roon set to max power of 2 with smooth, linear phase filtering on my RME DAC. Any thoughts on pluses and minuses of this? Seems to sound very detailed and also very smooth.

 

[unpluggged]

I’ve been using the SRC in Roon set to max power of 2 with smooth, linear phase filtering on my RME DAC. Any thoughts on pluses and minuses of this? Seems to sound very detailed and also very smooth.

Sounds like a reasonable approach to avoid the possible audible effects of the DAC filters when listening to sources with 44.1 and 48 kHz sample rates. Not that I would consider it necessary, though, and definitely would be satisfied by 2× upsampling.

 

[PGAMiami]

Sounds like a reasonable approach to avoid the possible audible effects of the DAC filters when listening to sources with 44.1 and 48 kHz sample rates. Not that I would consider it necessary, though, and definitely would be satisfied by 2× upsampling.

Roon allows you to set the SRC individually for each source sample rate or simply max power of 2. So it was just easier to do the latter. Seems to work fine, no dropouts. 176/192 I’m sure would be more than enough. It also lets you choose linear or minimum phase, and precise or smooth. They all sound very similar. Not sure I can tell much difference

 

[alfalfa001]

Anyone use one of these with a DAP or phone as source or is using a PC better? I pan on using with an HD800s
Any thoughts or insights?

 

[staticV3]

Anyone use one of these with a DAP or phone as source or is using a PC better? I pan on using with an HD800s
Any thoughts or insights?

If configured right, there's no difference in sound quality. Just in UX.

Use whatever you're more comfortable with.

 

[Willem]

I mostly use the digital output of a Chromecast Audio as a streamer source.

 

[Oldson]

considering buying a used RME dac.
anyone know if RME support a transfer of warranty?

 

[pallas]

I use the ADI-2 DAC FS with my dedicated audio phone. (Android, Redmi 10 2022) and USB Audio Player Pro in bit correct mode.
Works fantastic!

 

[Bernd]

I use the ADI-2 DAC FS with my dedicated audio phone. (Android, Redmi 10 2022) and USB Audio Player Pro in bit correct mode.
Works fantastic!

Interesting setup. You must have a mighty long USB cable to connect the REDMI to you ADI!
I do the same basically but I connect my REDMI/UAPP set to the portable QUDELIX K5 (which also includes a PEQ as the ADi). When walking outdoors I activate Bluetooth in UAPP and use the LDAC protocol which available on my REDMI 13. Also in this config the sound is phantastic (headphones: HD6XX and AKG371)