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

[storing]

The main problem is incompatibility with published EQ presets. Many presets are prepared with the assumption of 10 bands.

Oratory has a decent amount of RME-specific presets already.
For the rest I agree, but the workarounds are usable for quite a lot of people I think: the measurements are also published and in theory that's all you need to create any preset yourself. While it's unfortunate that https://autoeq.app doesn't have ADI support builtin, it's not that hard to use the custom PEQ there to brew a preset yourself. Or, if you know Python, modify the AutoEQ code to configure its algorithm to ADI's possibilities.

 

[Kr2d2]

Oratory has a decent amount of RME-specific presets already.
For the rest I agree, but the workarounds are usable for quite a lot of people I think: the measurements are also published and in theory that's all you need to create any preset yourself. While it's unfortunate that https://autoeq.app doesn't have ADI support builtin, it's not that hard to use the custom PEQ there to brew a preset yourself. Or, if you know Python, modify the AutoEQ code to configure its algorithm to ADI's possibilities.

"it's not that hard to use the custom PEQ there to brew a preset yourself"

Do you - or anyone else - have some guidelines on exactly how to do this?

I'm trying to do just that, I have a Wiim streamer with 10 band PEQ feeding into an RME ADI DAC, but I'd like to try the RME PEQ for digital sources other than the streamer. I'm scratching my head as to how to do this for my STAX Lambda Pros, QUAD ERA-1 etc.

I'm sorry if there's already a thread dealing with this, but I'm sometimes not so fortunate at researching...

 

[staticV3]

I'm scratching my head as to how to do this for my STAX Lambda Pros, QUAD ERA-1 etc.

Go to https://autoeq.app/, upload your raw response and target response, or choose them from the list of available measurements and targets.

Then select Custom Parametric Eq and enter the parameters according to your hardware limitations.

AutoEQ will spit out a preset tailor made to your hardware.

 

[sonitus mirus]

I will have to give this a listen later tonight. Should be easy to save this PEQ profile.

Edit: Ran into some limitations with the PEQ parameters, so I made some corrections and replaced the original screen captures.

This ended up being my final settings after listening to a few different songs.

 

[g_t_r]

What headphones sound the best with rme adi2 ? Any recommendation ?

 

[staticV3]

What headphones sound the best with rme adi2 ?

The ADI-2 is a highly competent, neutral DAC+Amp and as such, will make any headphone sound as it's supposed to (well, except Estats. It can't drive those).

So the question becomes "what's the best headphone for my needs and budget", not "what's the best headphone for the adi2"

Hence, please tell us your budget and needs

 

[rcstevensonaz]

The ADI-2 is a highly competent, neutral DAC+Amp and as such, will make any headphone sound as it's supposed to (well, except Estats. It can't drive those).

So the question becomes "what's the best headphone for my needs and budget", not "what's the best headphone for the adi2"

Hence, please tell us your budget and needs

Exactly what @staticV3 said.

But please kindly tell us about your budget and preference under a separate thread so that this topic remains focused on RME ADI-2 topics... otherwise, it will naturally devolve into a conversation debating various headphones.

 

[mishoristov]

Hi guys,
Looking to get a second hand ADI-2 DAC. What would be the best way to test that it's fully functional?
thanks,
Misho

 

[Rednaxela]

I honestly think that I'd feed a capable AI the manual and then ask it the same question.

 

[storing]

Given the sheer amount of functionality this could become tedious. On the other hand, most of it is DSP i.e. software which is going to be somwhat all or nothintg, so if you have your hands on it and it plays on headphones and the other outs and can record, this should be good. The devices aren't exactly known for not functioning properly even after years of usage.

 

[Bernardo_G]

Does this DAC offer any noticieable audio performance compared to a Schiit Modi 3? Is it worthwhile to upgrade?

 

[Bernd]

Hmm, well let me think! That question is similar to asking why a person should upgrade from a Beetle to a Bentley. Both have 4 wheels and steering wheel. Do you need to upgrade ? No, unless you want some refinement in everything else Please download the RME Manuel and read it.
Don't get me wrong. The Modi was and is great DAC!

 

[staticV3]

No, unless you want some refinement in everything else

Refinement in everything else, except pure sound quality which will be identical to the Schiit

 

[Bernardo_G]

Hmm, well let me think! That question is similar to asking why a person should upgrade from a Beetle to a Bentley. Both have 4 wheels and steering wheel. Do you need to upgrade ? No, unless you want some refinement in everything else Please download the RME Manuel and read it.
Don't get me wrong. The Modi was and is great DAC!

No worries, I understand your answer; I'm aware that the features on the RME are impressive even by today's standards. It's truly in another league in that regard, definitely; I feel it's like tweaker's delight!

Refinement in everything else, except pure sound quality which will be identical to the Schiit

That was exactly my question!!! I know that the Schiit doesn't hold a candle next the the RME in terms of gadgets and tweakability, but I'm aiming at a great sound with the least effort; sort of a "fool proof" device, that you can "set and forget".

If the RME offered better sound quality I'd be up to it, even if I under-use all the blows and whistles it comes with.

 

[Mort]

tweaker's delight!

Minidsp are fun to tweak, better than RME. It won't have better sound either. Just more features.

 

[Bernd]

Yep, we are in total agreement. Any modern DAC will do the job as long as the material components and motherboard layout are correctly engineered. I am 64 years old and my ears would not even pass the entry test to Amir's test lab

 

[Bernd]

Minidsp are fun to tweak, better than RME. It won't have better sound either. Just more features.

Yep, surely not for a basic stereo headphone setup?

 

[Mort]

Yep, surely not for a basic stereo headphone setup?

Correct. I didn't mean to directly compare them. I like both.

 

[rcstevensonaz]

If the RME offered better sound quality I'd be up to it, even if I under-use all the blows and whistles it comes with.

In think you will find on this list that the prevailing opinion is that it is not possible for the RME (or any other vendor) to offer better sound quality to any other competently engineered DAC. It is the refinements — loudness, bass & treble, EQ, UI interfaces, volume control range, headphone amp power, etc. — that will make the difference between units, not the sound quality of the Digital to Audio conversion itself.

 

[sonitus mirus]

The RME Low Volume Reference setting in the Loudness section improves sound quality without needing manual EQ adjustments, depending on your listening volume. It also lets you store multiple EQ settings for different headphones, speakers, or music genres. In that sense, it can offer better sound quality compared to devices without these options or at least make it easier to get the best sound possible.