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

[rcstevensonaz]

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.

Would you agree with the following changes: "it can offer better perceived sound quality compared to devices without these options or at least make it easier to get the best perceived sound possible"?

While that may seem a bit of semantics, I think it helps to keep two distinct issues separate:

1. Sound Quality of the digital to analog conversion (DAC)
2. Adjusted Sound Quality for psychoacoustics of the human listener, speaker/headphones, and room corrections

As you note, the RME ADI-2 is a fantastic device for adjusted "perceived" sound quality based on its various features, including automatic loudness adjustment. But the quality of analog signal from the DAC itself is not a selling for RME vs. any other competently designed and manufactured DAC on the market.

 

[sonitus mirus]

Would you agree with the following changes: "it can offer better perceived sound quality compared to devices without these options or at least make it easier to get the best perceived sound possible"?

While that may seem a bit of semantics, I think it helps to keep two distinct issues separate:

1. Sound Quality of the digital to analog conversion (DAC)
2. Adjusted Sound Quality for psychoacoustics of the human listener, speaker/headphones, and room corrections

As you note, the RME ADI-2 is a fantastic device for adjusted "perceived" sound quality based on its various features, including automatic loudness adjustment. But the quality of analog signal from the DAC itself is not a selling for RME vs. any other competently designed and manufactured DAC on the market.

100% agree, perceived sound quality. I should have been more clear.

 

[rcstevensonaz]

100% agree, perceived sound quality. I should have been more clear.

IMHO, you were perfectly clear. But I put that there to make explicit a nuance that many people (others, not you!) overlook when they just react by saying "all DACs sound the same".

One of my big frustrations with the "all DACs sound the same" mantra is that it misses the fact that psychoacoustics are a very real factor. Or equally, they then assume all DACs must have those advanced features included in the scoring — even though in some cases, the audio chain should only have a straight DAC such as when a D10B feeds into a mixer or device such as an RME ADI-2.

I think more of our conversations about DACs should shift towards features and UI; and recognize that there is room for different DAC feature sets based on the use case.

 

[AgentSanchez]

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.

I strongly disagree with that prevailing opinion and have used my most recent setup (B&W mains / Hafler amp) w both RME (Babyface) conversion and an SMSL D0100. The RME sounds noticeably better - without any room for argument if you'd heard them compared in the same space. The ONLY reason I got the SMSL was for a remote, and I regret having to sell the babyface.

*** The Hafler seems like it _MIGHT_ just do better w/ higher input gain and it's possible that my next amp will invalidate my point but there is absolutely a difference when compared on a Hafler Transnova P4000.

 

[LTig]

I strongly disagree with that prevailing opinion and have used my most recent setup (B&W mains / Hafler amp) w both RME (Babyface) conversion and an SMSL D0100. The RME sounds noticeably better - without any room for argument if you'd heard them compared in the same space. The ONLY reason I got the SMSL was for a remote, and I regret having to sell the babyface.

*** The Hafler seems like it _MIGHT_ just do better w/ higher input gain and it's possible that my next amp will invalidate my point but there is absolutely a difference when compared on a Hafler Transnova P4000.

Did you compare blind and level matched?

 

[Oldson]

after deliberating over one of these units for several years, i have finally bagged a used one.
should be here this week

 

[g_t_r]

I have RME ADI 2 FS interface and I'm considering integration with Sonarworks SoundID Reference. Will that work together?

 

[Oldson]

i'm reading conflicting opinions on whether to install the RME driver or not.
this i am a bit confused about if i am honest.

what do you guys on here think?

 

[Matias]

Install the driver and Remote, it is awesome.

 

[Jimbob54]

Install the driver and Remote, it is awesome.

Totally this . And of course any corresponding firmware . Think the remote app requires a certain level of device upgrade .

 

[Oldson]

just getting to grips with my new dac but struggling to get Remote software to work.
it keeps asking for me to ensure i have latest driver and firmware.
have flashed firmware to ver 62 dsp, usb 81
driver is the latest available
any ideas?

 

[Jimbob54]

just getting to grips with my new dac but struggling to get Remote software to work.
it keeps asking for me to ensure i have latest driver and firmware.
have flashed firmware to ver 62 dsp, usb 81
driver is the latest available
any ideas?

Check thats its the RME driver thats talking to the DAC not the generic windows one. I had issues when it originally came out but cant remember what.

 

[Oldson]

Check thats its the RME driver thats talking to the DAC not the generic windows one. I had issues when it originally came out but cant remember what.

driver seems ok .
i think its a graphic issue with the remote software.
just updated my old gpu driver but it still does same thing.

remote pop up looks visually corrupted and instantly closes.

an error window shows....

"ADI-2 Remote

returned 887A0005 at 207"

 

[Oldson]

until i get a resolution to this i am using the mathaudio eq plugin in foobar.
i am happy to hear the amp copes just fine with my eq'd HD800s (oraratory1990). -17dB
plenty loud enough and plenty of headroom.

will have to make a decision on my Midgard now

 

[MatrixS2000]

just getting to grips with my new dac but struggling to get Remote software to work.
it keeps asking for me to ensure i have latest driver and firmware.
have flashed firmware to ver 62 dsp, usb 81
driver is the latest available
any ideas?

I get this on mine too (although I am on a Mac). Just click ok and the remote app should work just fine.

To double check - when you bring up the RME USB Flash Tool does it tell you that your unit is up to date?

 

[Oldson]

I get this on mine too (although I am on a Mac). Just click ok and the remote app should work just fine.

To double check - when you bring up the RME USB Flash Tool does it tell you that your unit is up to date?

after clicking ok the software just closes.

the flash tool appears to confirm my unit is up to date.

been scouring the RME forum and have just registered there and posted my query there too.

this is going to be a steep learning curve for my old head

 

[MatrixS2000]

after clicking ok the software just closes.

the flash tool appears to confirm my unit is up to date.

been scouring the RME forum and have just registered there and posted my query there too.

this is going to be a steep learning curve for my old head

Looks like that error code is pointing to your video card. It needs to support DirectX12 or Direct3D 12 as per MC's in this post on the RME forum.

 

[Oldson]

just had to google how to check the directx status and from what i have found mine does indeed have directx12 installed.


according to the response on RME forum it would appear my graphics card is too old, despite the fact that it supports directx12

 

[Oldson]

Check thats its the RME driver thats talking to the DAC not the generic windows one. I had issues when it originally came out but cant remember what.

tbh, i am no longer sure which driver is being used.
when i look at audio devices in device manager i see 2 entries. when i look at drivers tab, both say microsoft.

i confess to being a bit retarded where computers are concerned but this seems wrong to me

 

[Count Arthur]

tbh, i am no longer sure which driver is being used.
when i look at audio devices in device manager i see 2 entries. when i look at drivers tab, both say microsoft.

i confess to being a bit retarded where computers are concerned but this seems wrong to me

Have you installed the RME Driver:

ADI-2-DAC FS - RME Audio Interfaces | Format Converters | Preamps | Network Audio & MADI Solutions

RME Audio Professional Live, Studio, Recording and Broadcast Solutions. Unrivalled Quality, Performance & Stability MADI Interfaces, Converters & Preamps.

rme-audio.de

Which will install the MADIface USB driver:

It shows up in my sound settings, like this: