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

[Rednaxela]

Since this review is explicitly about a Version 2, I feel the model number gymnastics in post #2965 answers a question that wasn’t asked in the first place.

 

[rcstevensonaz]

Separate note: I had not realized that there is an actual naming scheme of the ADI-2 DAC FS Version 2. So I initially initially assumed the person was posting based on the ADI-2 aspect of the naming. So the main point of my post is not relevant, as @Rednaxela pointed out.

RME ADI-1 was a 2-channel AD/DA converter, so it does not exactly fit into this nomenclature.

That is a good point. So you are saying that ADI-2 is a version increment (version 2) from the ADI-1 (version 1) and not a naming nomenclature?

There was never an ADI-2 DAC, only the ADI-2 DAC FS. And the ADI-2 (and the ADI-2 FS) are distinct standalone basic AD/DA converters, not an iteration of the DSP-based ADI-2 DAC FS line.

Thanks for the correction that ADI-2 (no DSP) and ADI-2 DAC (with DSP) are separate product lines, and not an evolution from one to the other.

Umm, what are the ADI-2 Pro (AE), ADI-2 Pro FS, ADI-2 Pro FS R (BE), ADI-2/4 Pro SE then, if not "ADI-2 versions with different I/O options or core functionality"?

Yes, exactly. That was why I noted that the ADI-2 DAC is a 2 channel analog / digital interface with only the DAC capability (and also DSP as @unpluggged observed). The ADI-2 Pro series have ADC & DAC functionality with 2 channels input, 2 channels output; and the ADI-2/4 Pro series are ADC & DAC with 2 channels input, 4 channels output.

 

[unpluggged]

Separate note: I had not realized that there is an actual naming scheme of the ADI-2 DAC FS Version 2

There is no "versions" of ADI-2 DAC FS. It's the same product and the same SKU throughout, albeit with changes to components (DAC chips, FPGA chips, and many other less prominent positions in the BOM) dictated mainly by supply chain changes. The functionality and performance between all hardware revisions is at least not significantly different, if not the same.

hat is a good point. So you are saying that ADI-2 is a version increment (version 2) from the ADI-1 (version 1) and not a naming nomenclature?

No, since I have no knowledge of nomenclature changes over the years. It was in 1998, after all. I just brought to attention that the ADI-1 did not follow this naming convention.

The ADI-2 Pro series have ADC & DAC functionality with 2 channels input, 2 channels output; and the ADI-2/4 Pro series are ADC & DAC with 2 channels input, 4 channels output.

But conceptually they all share the same core design and functionality that was first implemented in the ADI-2 Pro. The ADI-2 DAC FS was introduced as a DA-only version of the already excellent studio converter with powerful HP out and DSP features, one that would be more appealing to consumers. Hence the black finish and remote control that would later be "backported" to the Pro and SE variants.

 

[rcstevensonaz]

There is no "versions" of ADI-2 DAC FS.

And yet, it was amirm himself who started this thread specifically titled: RME ADI-2 FS Version 2 DAC and Headphone Amp Review. That was my attempt to acknowledge that I took it down a wrong path and bring it back to the topic that was being discussed.

 

[Oldson]

i am trying to decide whether to buy a used ADI-2 dac or go for a new one.
seen a fair few go on ebay lately but most appear to be quite old units (over 5 yrs) and folks still want over £700 for them, which to me, is a little steep when they can be had for £930 now with a 5yr warranty.
on top of this, you get one or two advertising their unit as more desirable as it has the AKM chip, which i understand from here is nonsense.
any advice would be appreciated? should i be concerned buying an old unit for example

 

[palm]

I would not bother about the chip, but only you can decide on what makes a good deal. I guess the price reflects the usefulness of this product and its reliability… There are no real competitors yet but we see products starting to implement EQ. So maybe if had to buy now I would look for a used “pro” version instead of a new standard version? I think the loudness and parametric EQs can be used on the digital outputs right? We see more and more speakers with digital in but few if not none have such convenience features so owning such a preprocessing unit (and assuming you don’t want to be tied to a computer for doing this) is going to be cool for many years to come.

 

[Oldson]

I would not bother about the chip, but only you can decide on what makes a good deal. I guess the price reflects the usefulness of this product and its reliability… There are no real competitors yet but we see products starting to implement EQ. So maybe if had to buy now I would look for a used “pro” version instead of a new standard version?

what would be the advantage of the pro? is it just more power on the amp

 

[palm]

what would be the advantage of the pro? is it just more power on the amp

Sorry I edited meanwhile but for me: the digital outputs (as new monitors tend to have digital domain crossovers. Extra AD DA conversions are not that problematic but if you can avoid it…)

 

[rcstevensonaz]

what would be the advantage of the pro? is it just more power on the amp

Another Pro advantage is that the USB can be used as a multi-channel AUX Send / Receive function.

Thus, all of the inputs (Analog, AES, SPDIF) can be sent out of the RME via the USB ["Record"] to an external device for mixing, DSP treatment, room correction, etc. And the results of that off-board processing can be received ["Playback"] individually for each of the RME's outputs (Analog 1/2, Phones 3/4, AES, SPDIF). Thus 6 channels can be sent and 8 channels can be received.

The DAC also supports the option for off-board processing, but it is limited to 2 channel send (SPDIF) and 2 channel receive (Analog 1/2)

 

[Pekka Perämoottori]

what would be the advantage of the pro?

Key features Pro has, that DAC hasn´t

-analog input
-digital outputs (AES, optical, coax)
-extended digital inputs (also AES)
-balanced headphones drive -option
-two independent DAC´s i.e. two simultaneous stereo outputs
-USB-multichannel mode (8 in / 6 out -channels)
-5 different I/O -routing arrangements i.e. basic modes
-sample rate converter

-different and higher rear XLR line output -level options (till +24 dBu)
-rear unbalanced line outputs with TS -jacks and higher level (till +19 dBu)

 

[JIW]

Key features Pro has, that DAC hasn´t

-analog input
-digital outputs (AES, optical, coax)
-extended digital inputs (also AES)
-balanced headphones drive -option
-two independent DAC´s i.e. two simultaneous stereo outputs
-USB-multichannel mode (8 in / 6 out -channels)
-5 different I/O -routing arrangements i.e. basic modes

-different and higher rear XLR line output -level options (till +24 dBu)
-rear unbalanced line outputs with TS -jacks and higher level (till +19 dBu)

The DAC can use AES/EBU input with the coax input by connecting positive and negative to the RCA connector and leaving the ground unconnected. From the manual section 18.

 

[Pekka Perämoottori]

The DAC can use AES/EBU input with the coax input by connecting positive and negative to the RCA connector and leaving the ground unconnected. From the manual section 18.
View attachment 422471

Yes, connecting AES -digital feed to DAC can be worked around.

But DAC hasn´t AES/EBU -XLR connector and hence independent AES-input, unlike Pro. Pro´s AES is independent and as such directly selectable third digital input, like Optical and Coaxial.

 

[40th Anniversary]

i am trying to decide whether to buy a used ADI-2 dac or go for a new one.
seen a fair few go on ebay lately but most appear to be quite old units (over 5 yrs) and folks still want over £700 for them, which to me, is a little steep when they can be had for £930 now with a 5yr warranty.
on top of this, you get one or two advertising their unit as more desirable as it has the AKM chip, which i understand from here is nonsense.
any advice would be appreciated? should i be concerned buying an old unit for example

I purchased a new RME. I purchased a used one (no issue).
I have a Pro Unit as well.
Mix of ESS and AKM.
I love the RME ADI-2 DAC FS. I give kudos to the AKM chipset and I also listen to my ESS unit and I can't tell the difference.
I use the PRO unit for digital pass through feature to one of my other ADI units such that I can power four speakers, fully balanced, with separate stereo amplifiers.
At this juncture, and I keep my eyes open, I don't consider other options based on how I use my RME units - and I love the spectrum analyser dancing around while I listen to music.
After using the RME ADI-2 DAC FS for a while, it is super easy to use.
The Pro unit is more involved and making use of the Digital passthrough feature I had to reference the manual; it's a bit more involved.

Best of luck with your decision.

 

[crappypanther]

I am very glad that I did not buy RME ADI 2 DAC earlier.
now it's enough to spend $400 to have a DAC with fantastic performance

 

[sonitus mirus]

I am very glad that I did not buy RME ADI 2 DAC earlier.
now it's enough to spend $400 to have a DAC with fantastic performance

You don’t even have to spend that much for fantastic performance.

 

[crappypanther]

You don’t even have to spend that much for fantastic performance.

yes.. I have already been enlightened here..
I haven't looked at the measurements of DACs and audio cards for a long time.
technology is developing quickly

 

[Willem]

You don't buy an RME ADI-2 DAC for its basic performance. For that little more than $100 is actually enough. Apart from its quality and support, you primarily buy it for all the other functionality like tone and balance control, filters, dynamic loudness etc etc. For that it is simply unsurpassed.

 

[MatrixS2000]

You don't buy an RME ADI-2 DAC for its basic performance. For that little more than $100 is actually enough. Apart from its quality and support, you primarily buy it for all the other functionality like tone and balance control, filters, dynamic loudness etc etc. For that it is simply unsurpassed.

To that list is a key one - at least for anyone going digital to the speaker. Auto Ref level. I don’t know of another DAC that does this. The other things that I find useful are Digicheck and Bit Test. All included.

 

[Oldson]

can someone please confirm whether the ADI-2 dac is capable of driving the modhouse tungsten?

using calculator on headphonesty i entered the following
sens 78 dB/mW, imp 155, loudness 90 dB
the result i got
req power 15.85mW, req voltage 1.57, req current 10.1 mA

i have a feeling i must have got something wrong as the result seems lower than i expected for a headphone that is known as "hard to drive".

i am looking to buy the ADI-2 dac shortly and later in the year the tungsten.

 

[JIW]

can someone please confirm whether the ADI-2 dac is capable of driving the modhouse tungsten?

using calculator on headphonesty i entered the following
sens 78 dB/mW, imp 155, loudness 90 dB
the result i got
req power 15.85mW, req voltage 1.57, req current 10.1 mA

i have a feeling i must have got something wrong as the result seems lower than i expected for a headphone that is known as "hard to drive".

i am looking to buy the ADI-2 dac shortly and later in the year the tungsten.

That is correct (see calculation below). The DAC can produce 9.6 V RMS at 155 Ohm so maximum peak SPL would be 78-10*log10(155/1000) + 20*log10(9.6) + 10*log10(2) = 108.75 dB SPL.

Source: Manual section 31.8, p. 63.

L_V = 90 - (78-10*log10(155/1000)) = 90 - 86.1= 3.9 dBV.
V = 10^(L_V/20) = 10^(3.9/20) = 1.57 V.