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

[Pearljam5000]

Since it's been discontinued
When is ADI-3 coming out?

 

[EERecordist]

Since it's been discontinued
When is ADI-3 coming out?

It is highly likely to be announced at NAMM this week, as others have said.

 

[Waterunderthebridge]

After my topping d30 pro just died (probably, not sure yet) I was thinking about getting the ADI 2 dac. I've seen varying opinions, is the amp good enough to drive Arya Stealth? Currently I've been using the d30/a30 pro stack and yeah, it has lots of power, never went above Medium gain on them. I'd like to use the ADI 2 for both dac and amp and just give my a30 pro away but not sure if it has enough oomph.

Thank you

 

[Morla]

It is highly likely to be announced at NAMM this week, as others have said.

Well.. didn't happen

 

[Morla]

After my topping d30 pro just died (probably, not sure yet) I was thinking about getting the ADI 2 dac. I've seen varying opinions, is the amp good enough to drive Arya Stealth? Currently I've been using the d30/a30 pro stack and yeah, it has lots of power, never went above Medium gain on them. I'd like to use the ADI 2 for both dac and amp and just give my a30 pro away but not sure if it has enough oomph.

Thank you

I think you would have to buy one used and they ask prohibitive prices imo. What about that other topping. Dx5 II

 

[Waterunderthebridge]

I think you would have to buy one used and they ask prohibitive prices imo. What about that other topping. Dx5 II

Don't mind the price, and i'd rather avoid more chifi for now. The d30 left a bitter taste in my mouth

 

[RandomEar]

Don't mind the price, and i'd rather avoid more chifi for now. The d30 left a bitter taste in my mouth

Check the A30 review. It has less power than the ADI 2 DAC Fs.

 

[Waterunderthebridge]

Check the A30 review. It has less power than the ADI 2 DAC Fs.

Have the a30 pro which I think has more power. Not that i'm using it fully, I never touch high gain on it with the aryas, usually im sitting at medium gain 50-70% volume.

 

[staticV3]

Have the a30 pro which I think has more power. Not that i'm using it fully, I never touch high gain on it with the aryas, usually im sitting at medium gain 50-70% volume.

Then you have nothing to worry about with the ADI-2 DAC.

 

[amper42]

In my opinion. RME ADI-2 DAC FS is the best DAC ever.
Amazing ADI-2 software app, highly configurable Loudness control, fantastic remote and quality LCD integration puts it in a category all its own.
It's discontinued status has made it even more valuable.

Once you get one, it never leaves your system.
I know this first hand as the owner of two "B" versions and a "C".

https://reverb.com/item/91726682-rme-adi-2-dac-fs-d-a-converter

 

[Morla]

Until we get the adi-3 in few months

 

[Waterunderthebridge]

Then you have nothing to worry about with the ADI-2 DAC.

Just grabbed mine, new.

 

[amper42]

Until we get the adi-3 in few months

Features I would like to see added to the RME ADI-2 DAC FS include:
1. Wifi communication option that would support:
A. ADI-2 Remote Software (control settings remotely)
B. DLNA Streaming

2. NVME removable storage that can be used to play local music.

I use Moode with RPi 5 4GB to support USB ADI-2 streaming now plus local music but it would be cool to have it all I one box.

 

[Waterunderthebridge]

So just setup my ADI, volume gets loud enough for most recordings with Arya Stealth (running it between -15 to -10db), but not much headroom if you want to get it screaming loud (which I don't). Pretty happy for now, havent tested much yet.

 

[respice finem]

I recommend some serious RTFM, there are many options which are not obvious.

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

 

[amper42]

With Auto Reference mode configured on my ADI-2 DAC FS usually volume setting is around 38 while playing music on my system.

To set up Auto Reference mode on RME ADI-2 FS devices, navigate to the I/O menu, select the output and set the Ref Level to Auto. This enables the device to automatically adjust hardware reference levels (+4 dBu, +13 dBu, etc.) based on the volume knob position. This setting is reported to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio.

 

[Waterunderthebridge]

With Auto Reference mode configured on my ADI-2 DAC FS usually volume setting is around 38 while playing music on my system.

To set up Auto Reference mode on RME ADI-2 FS devices, navigate to the I/O menu, select the output and set the Ref Level to Auto. This enables the device to automatically adjust hardware reference levels (+4 dBu, +13 dBu, etc.) based on the volume knob position. This setting is reported to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio.

I think mine does it automatically out of the box, didn't touch any settings

 

[Eyesluna]

I've come to learn that the JDS element 4 has similar features that might be something worth looking into. It does have 12 band parametric eq, crossfeed, and loudness. I don't think you can do it all on the unit though it's done via software but it's persistent on the device itself. Although it might be worth it to get the RME ADI 2 used, I was able to snag one for about 575 USD and it was worth the money imo for the other features.

 

[Zetti]

I would love hdmi arc in along with all RME niceties. One remote control to rule them all.

 

[sonitus mirus]

I've come to learn that the JDS element 4 has similar features that might be something worth looking into. It does have 12 band parametric eq, crossfeed, and loudness. I don't think you can do it all on the unit though it's done via software but it's persistent on the device itself. Although it might be worth it to get the RME ADI 2 used, I was able to snag one for about 575 USD and it was worth the money imo for the other features.

The loudness function is not quite the same, and it is at or near the top of my favorite features with the RME devices.

Loudness Function setup guide (Page 1) — ADI-2 & 2/4 Pro series, ADI-2 DAC series — RME User Forum

Loudness Function setup guide (Page 1) — ADI-2 & 2/4 Pro series, ADI-2 DAC series — RME User Forum —

forum.rme-audio.de