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

[Ralph_Cramden]

A nice topper for your RME. Both a 5” display and a hub, requires just a usb-c connection from your PC. RME's DigiCheck NG displays nicely.

https://a.co/d/aTfeExA

 

[Bigron]

Perhaps I was not clear--I intend to remove the L70.

Bit late to the party on this but. Are you saying you can’t use the loudness function unless you use it as pre amp?
I'm looking to buy one of these but I need the pre amp to work using it in Dac only mode.
Will it do this?

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Bit late to the party on this but. Are you saying you can’t use the loudness function unless you use it as pre amp?
I'm looking to buy one of these but I need the pre amp to work using it in Dac only mode.
Will it do this?

Either it is DAC-only mode or it is DAC and preamp (volume control enabled). I'm a little confused on your question.

However, as someone else pointed out, you must use the volume control in the RME for its Loudness function to work, since it relies on changing volume within the unit itself to function.

I don't use a DAC anymore in my chain (power amp is now direct PCM to PWM), so I no longer have this DAC.

 

[Roland68]

Bit late to the party on this but. Are you saying you can’t use the loudness function unless you use it as pre amp?
I'm looking to buy one of these but I need the pre amp to work using it in Dac only mode.
Will it do this?

DAC mode means the DAC functions as a pure DAC, converting the digital signal to analog without any modifications and outputting it at 0 dB.
There is no further functionality in this mode.

Any adjustments to the signal, such as volume or loudness, are not part of the DAC mode.

 

[Bigron]

Ok, thanks for that, a bit of a disappointment, however how good is the pre amp function, is it good enough to use with decent power amp?
Does the parametric equaliser work when used solely as a Dac?

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Ok, thanks for that, a bit of a disappointment, however how good is the pre amp function, is it good enough to use with decent power amp?

The preamp is exceptional in implementation. It utilizes variable output voltage in conjunction with digital attenuation. This results in better noise floor management than pure digital volume controls.

 

[rcstevensonaz]

DAC mode means the DAC functions as a pure DAC, converting the digital signal to analog without any modifications and outputting it at 0 dB.

Just a quick check to confirm this is true, since your answer about the DAC is different than on the Pro (and I have no experience with the ADI-2 DAC).

On the ADI-2 Pro series, the DSP/DAC is still fully engaged in DAC mode. And the volume control remains engaged so that you can set it at whatever level you choose to use (including, but not necessarily 0 DBFS). Further, I believe if the volume level was set below the specified Loudness threshold, then the loudness function would be engaged based on that setting.

Also keep in mind that you can now fully control the volume and all of the other settings remotely from your computer.

 

[Roland68]

Ok, thanks for that, a bit of a disappointment, however how good is the pre amp function, is it good enough to use with decent power amp?
Does the parametric equaliser work when used solely as a Dac?

What exactly is disappointing about it for you?
What should work differently?

 

[amper42]

Ok, thanks for that, a bit of a disappointment, however how good is the pre amp function, is it good enough to use with decent power amp?
Does the parametric equaliser work when used solely as a Dac?

The RME ADI-2 DAC FS is the best pre-amp I have ever used. It's crystal clear and the "Loudness" feature within the ADI-2 app offers amazing control. I have had quite a few preamps and this simple solution works absolutely perfect with my Purifi amps.

 

[Chazz6]

Does the parametric equaliser work when used solely as a Dac?

Yes. You can use the 5-band PEQ with or without Loudness at the same time.

 

[Bigron]

What exactly is disappointing about it for you?
What should work differently?

I was hoping to use the Dac without the pre amp and still be able to use the PEQ and the loudness.

 

[Bigron]

Yes. You can use the 5-band PEQ with or without Loudness at the same time.

Oh, right, so I don’t need to use it as pre amp to use the PEQ and loudness?
There seen to be a difference of opinion on this. @Roland68 says it not possible?

 

[Gibsonian]

Oh, right, so I don’t need to use it as pre amp to use the PEQ and loudness?
There seen to be a difference of opinion on this. @Roland68 says it not possible?

I know PEQ with volume disabled is possible because that’s how I use it. Not sure about loudness cause I don’t use it but am betting this will also be possible

 

[Roland68]

I was hoping to use the Dac without the pre amp and still be able to use the PEQ and the loudness.

That's because you don't understand the function of the "preamplifier" in the device. I don't mean that in a bad way, it's just a factual observation.
The so-called preamplifier in the ADI is digital, not analog, and is located before the DAC chip. It doesn't interfere with the analog signal and all its associated disadvantages. It only modifies the digital signal to the extent you configure it, and it does so without any loss.
The disadvantages you're thinking of don't actually exist; they're purely hypothetical and not a real problem.Bei ADI-Geräten gibt es keinen Vorverstärker im herkömmlichen Sinne.

 

[Roland68]

Just a quick check to confirm this is true, since your answer about the DAC is different than on the Pro (and I have no experience with the ADI-2 DAC).

On the ADI-2 Pro series, the DSP/DAC is still fully engaged in DAC mode. And the volume control remains engaged so that you can set it at whatever level you choose to use (including, but not necessarily 0 DBFS). Further, I believe if the volume level was set below the specified Loudness threshold, then the loudness function would be engaged based on that setting.

Also keep in mind that you can now fully control the volume and all of the other settings remotely from your computer.

Oh, right, so I don’t need to use it as pre amp to use the PEQ and loudness?
There seen to be a difference of opinion on this. @Roland68 says it not possible?

I described the general DAC mode, which refers to the DAC ICs within a DAC.
Strictly speaking, the ADI devices don't have a preamplifier, since a preamplifier, by definition, is located in the analog circuitry and renders all functions analogously.
RME itself doesn't use the term "preamplifier" in the manual or on its website, at least not in the German version.

The DAC mode means that the DAC chip converts the digital signal without processing, reduction, or amplification, i.e., at 0 dB. This actually applies to devices (DACs) where functionalities for volume control, DSP, etc., are used within the DAC chip.

This also doesn't apply to these RME ADI devices, since, to my knowledge, the DAC chip isn't used for these functionalities and always operates at 0 dB, i.e., it's always in DAC mode.

The RME ADI devices operate differently from almost all other DACs and their functionality is not comparable.

 

[rcstevensonaz]

I know PEQ with volume disabled is possible because that’s how I use it. Not sure about loudness cause I don’t use it but am betting this will also be possible

Just to clarify, is your volume disabled? Or, is your volume locked at a specific value (e.g., 0 db)?

In the case of a DAC from TOPPING, their "DAC Mode" completely disables volume and it effectively set at 0 db. But RME does not have that notion of a "DAC mode"; so I believe in the case of the RME ADI-2 series, you can set the volume at whatever level you want and then lock it at the volume so that it won't be accidentally changed by the volume knob or remote.

Link to User’s Guide ADI-2 DAC FS v3.4: https://rme-audio.de/downloads/adi2dacr_e.pdf

 

[Gibsonian]

Just to clarify, is your volume disabled? Or, is your volume locked at a specific value (e.g., 0 db)?

In the case of a DAC from TOPPING, their "DAC Mode" completely disables volume and it effectively set at 0 db. But RME does not have that notion of a "DAC mode"; so I believe in the case of the RME ADI-2 series, you can set the volume at whatever level you want and then lock it at the volume so that it won't be accidentally changed by the volume knob or remote.

Link to User’s Guide ADI-2 DAC FS v3.4: https://rme-audio.de/downloads/adi2dacr_e.pdf

Disabled.

 

[Chazz6]

RME itself doesn't use the term "preamplifier" in the manual or on its website, at least not in the German version.

Nor in the English version of the manual. The chips perform both DAC and DSP functions. The manual describes the latter, "Complete DSP functionality (PEQ, Bass/Treble, Loudness etc.)."

 

[Roland68]

Nor in the English version of the manual. The chips perform both DAC and DSP functions. The manual describes the latter, "Complete DSP functionality (PEQ, Bass/Treble, Loudness etc.)."

But the DAC chip only handles DAC functionality and therefore always operates in what's called DAC mode.
All other digital functionality, such as volume control, DSP, etc., takes place in a separate section before the DAC chip; that's the crucial difference.

This is also why you don't need to worry when connecting power amplifiers directly to the RME ADI devices.
Unlike the volume control typically handled by the DAC chip in DACs, the DAC chip here cannot drop to 0 dB, as it always outputs at 0 dB.

 

[Chazz6]

Unlike the volume control typically handled by the DAC chip in DACs, the DAC chip here cannot drop to 0 dB, as it always outputs at 0 dB.

To be sure, "There are a total of four hardware reference levels available. With RCA Hi-Fi the setting +7 dBu (equals +4.78 dBV or 1.73 V RMS) is recommended. This setting causes an ADI-2 DAC to output level similar to that of many CD-players. In case it is still too low simply change to +13 dBu (+10.8 dBV, 3.46 V RMS). Note that with XLR output the voltage is doubled, the dBu/dBV values are 6 dB higher." (emphasis added).