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

[Yari]

Yeah I'm definitely curious what the plans are regarding the next one. You'd imagine they had something lined up if there's some products out of production already. Maybe existing stock lasts a while, but I was pretty sure some stores actually sold out.

I don't know if I will buy their new device, I doubt new features alone can offer me something so significant that I would want to replace my Dac 2 FS . But it's an amazing device and I would like to see what they have to offer.

 

[delta76]

I've been hardly using the remote because I find it really is a hit or miss, with misses >> hits. Yesterday I'm fed up with it and decided to change the battery.
Lo and behold, it works flawlessly now. Even though it still flashes green light with old battery (which is why I thought a new battery is not needed), it seems the power is not enough to produce strong RF.
So if you have problems with your remote, change the battery!

 

[amper42]

I've been hardly using the remote because I find it really is a hit or miss, with misses >> hisses. Yesterday I'm fed up with it and decided to change the battery.
Lo and behold, it works flawlessly now. Even though it still flashes green light with old battery (which is why I thought a new battery is not needed), it seems the power is not enough to produce strong RF.
So if you have problems with your remote, change the battery!

Absolutely true.
Best to change the RME ADI-2 DAC FS remote battery every two years even if you think it's working.
When the remote battery is low it still works but becomes unreliable. It doesn't just stop working like most battery operated items do. Installing a new battery can fix a host of issues from sluggish remote response to range issues.

 

[respice finem]

Sometimes the thin CR 2025 lithium cell makes suboptimal contact - inofficially the thicker CR 2032 fits (and lasts longer).

 

[TK33]

I've been hardly using the remote because I find it really is a hit or miss, with misses >> hits. Yesterday I'm fed up with it and decided to change the battery.
Lo and behold, it works flawlessly now. Even though it still flashes green light with old battery (which is why I thought a new battery is not needed), it seems the power is not enough to produce strong RF.
So if you have problems with your remote, change the battery!

Unfortunately, the remote can break as well. Tried changing the battery on mine with no luck a few weeks ago. Not really sure what happened since it was working fine for years. Luckily I was able to buy a replacement locally but the remote is not cheap. Replacement remote works perfectly though.

 

[Egbert]

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 use the RME Dac Adi-2 fs as a preamplifier with my Simaudio Moon 330a power amplifier. They form a great duo that controls my Dynaudio Contour 60 without any problems.

 

[Syvere]

I'm looking to replace my old DacMagic Plus and could get RME ADI-2-DAC FS for about 700€. How does it compare to JDS Labs Element IV and Luxsin X8 which both have quite extensive feature set and cost about the same?

 

[Egbert]

I only know the RME dac. I also use the dac as a preamplifier and headphone amplifier. The dac is used in recording situations and by professional DJs. The dac is neutral and that is an understatment. Perfectly displays details across the entire sound spectrum. If you download the accompanying app (free) get access to an almost infinite amount of setting options presented in an understandable way.

 

[Syvere]

Can the EQ be saved on the device or is the app required to be running? I would use this (or whichever I end up buying) solely with headphones and IEMs (B&W P9, HD560s, K702, IE600).

To be fair both other choices have their advantages: Luxsin has bluetooth and a second USB input, but CS43198 DAC (which I have a prejudice against). JDS is made in USA and has relatively good on-going support. RME seems to have very good reliability and is made in Germany, but has only one USB port, no BT. Don't know about the on board EQ. As a principle it would be nice to support European made especially considering I could get it for the same price as the other two. Very difficult to choose and people in reviews and other forums aren't exactly making things easier as there's a lot of subjective (delusional) snake oil.

 

[delta76]

I'm looking to replace my old DacMagic Plus and could get RME ADI-2-DAC FS for about 700€. How does it compare to JDS Labs Element IV and Luxsin X8 which both have quite extensive feature set and cost about the same?

Don't know about Luxsin X8 but performance wise (DAC and HP amp) RME would be on par with JDS. However it's much more feature packed. RME costs retail $1200 vs JDS $500. not even close

 

[Syvere]

Don't know about Luxsin X8 but performance wise (DAC and HP amp) RME would be on par with JDS. However it's much more feature packed. RME costs retail $1200 vs JDS $500. not even close

In this case I think I can rule out Element entirely. If the devices are about the same feature and sound-wise the fact that I can get the RME at the same price as JDS (on top of it being manufactured in EU) makes it a better choice for resale value alone. Are there any other choices I'm not looking at at around 700€?

 

[delta76]

In this case I think I can rule out Element entirely. If the devices are about the same feature and sound-wise the fact that I can get the RME at the same price as JDS (on top of it being manufactured in EU) makes it a better choice for resale value alone. Are there any other choices I'm not looking at at around 700€?

Nope, if you need made in EU, long term support and well thought features. The only worthy replacement is the next version of it but def. more than 700€

 

[Syvere]

Nope, if you need made in EU, long term support and well thought features. The only worthy replacement is the next version of it but def. more than 700€

Being made in EU is not a requirement, but a big plus of course. The other two are a requirement as I don't plan on upgrading for another ten years (unless necessary). My wife makes sure of that.

 

[delta76]

Being made in EU is not a requirement, but a big plus of course. The other two are a requirement as I don't plan on upgrading for another ten years (unless necessary). My wife makes sure of that.

Nothing is guaranteed to work for 10 years. Your chance of having a working RME after 5y is pretty good. 10y is a stretch. It is better than luxsin by a long shot (i haven't looked in to that but the name suggests it is a Chinese brand) and if it fails you will have better luck for repairing. But be realistic
Mine RME is 5y+ and works flawlessly but that is just not enough to say anything for sure

 

[Roland68]

I'm looking to replace my old DacMagic Plus and could get RME ADI-2-DAC FS for about 700€. How does it compare to JDS Labs Element IV and Luxsin X8 which both have quite extensive feature set and cost about the same?

RME will likely announce new ADI devices in the next few weeks or 1-3 months.
Depending on what's released, prices for older DACs could fall or rise.
The new devices will probably have better features.
But it's clear that RME, like Lake People/Violectric, is among the most reliable and durable brands.

If you listen to music exclusively via computer/USB, I would personally recommend local software for parametric equalization (PEQ).
You should also consider your future headphone purchases, as there are now quite a few power-hungry models available.

I don't like the poor implementation of the headphone amplifier in the Luxsin X8 (and X9) with its four TPA6120A2 drivers. It has lower power output than the Topping L30 II with two TPA6120A2 drivers and worse measured performance with higher noise.
The L70 even has twice the power output with four TPA6120A2 chips.

 

[Roland68]

Nothing is guaranteed to work for 10 years. Your chance of having a working RME after 5y is pretty good. 10y is a stretch. It is better than luxsin by a long shot (i haven't looked in to that but the name suggests it is a Chinese brand) and if it fails you will have better luck for repairing. But be realistic
Mine RME is 5y+ and works flawlessly but that is just not enough to say anything for sure

Ten years is unrealistic?
Either you were joking, or you're not very familiar with the quality and lifespan of these devices.

Failures with Lake People/Violectric and RME are extremely rare and incomparable to other manufacturers/devices.
Especially in the first few years, if a failure does occur, it's often handled as a goodwill gesture or with a small flat fee, depending on the situation.

In the studios I work with, and also among my friends and acquaintances, I haven't encountered any failures in the last 25 years. Most of the time, devices were replaced with newer models, and many people complain because some devices are no longer supported after 10-15 years.

Even with RME, you can expect a lifespan of well over 10 years for their ADI devices.
My RME and Lake People/Violectric equipment is now well over 10 years old, and some are even 20 years old.

With Lake People HPA, which is about 30 years old, I only had to replace the worn-out headphone jacks and capacitors to get it working again. It will probably last another 30 years.

 

[delta76]

Ten years is unrealistic?
Either you were joking, or you're not very familiar with the quality and lifespan of these devices.

Failures with Lake People/Violectric and RME are extremely rare and incomparable to other manufacturers/devices.
Especially in the first few years, if a failure does occur, it's often handled as a goodwill gesture or with a small flat fee, depending on the situation.

In the studios I work with, and also among my friends and acquaintances, I haven't encountered any failures in the last 25 years. Most of the time, devices were replaced with newer models, and many people complain because some devices are no longer supported after 10-15 years.

Even with RME, you can expect a lifespan of well over 10 years for their ADI devices.
My RME and Lake People/Violectric equipment is now well over 10 years old, and some are even 20 years old.

With Lake People HPA, which is about 30 years old, I only had to replace the worn-out headphone jacks and capacitors to get it working again. It will probably last another 30 years.

I did not say it's unrealistic, read my post again.
Having faith in a brand that known for quality and long term support is one thing, be realistic that your device will have chance (increasing over time) of failures in 10 years is another thing. those are not mutual exclusive.

 

[Egbert]

Can the EQ be saved on the device or is the app required to be running? I would use this (or whichever I end up buying) solely with headphones and IEMs (B&W P9, HD560s, K702, IE600).

To be fair both other choices have their advantages: Luxsin has bluetooth and a second USB input, but CS43198 DAC (which I have a prejudice against). JDS is made in USA and has relatively good on-going support. RME seems to have very good reliability and is made in Germany, but has only one USB port, no BT. Don't know about the on board EQ. As a principle it would be nice to support European made especially considering I could get it for the same price as the other two. Very difficult to choose and people in reviews and other forums aren't exactly making things easier as there's a lot of subjective (delusional) snake oil.

you can save settings in the dac or on your laptop or i-pad.

 

[Oukkidoukki]

Just want to add that I have original Rme adi-2 from early 2000. Over 20 years and it is still working. I have the new version too, haven’t have any issues in both of them.

 

[Syvere]

Nothing is guaranteed to work for 10 years. Your chance of having a working RME after 5y is pretty good. 10y is a stretch. It is better than luxsin by a long shot (i haven't looked in to that but the name suggests it is a Chinese brand) and if it fails you will have better luck for repairing. But be realistic
Mine RME is 5y+ and works flawlessly but that is just not enough to say anything for sure

Gotta disagree here. There’s no consumable parts in these and the caps in current age should last more than a few decades. The only issue may be driver support if Windows driver architecture changes for example. But of course electronics fail and along with capacitors, bad quality soldering is the next most common (if not the most common) cause these days.

RME will likely announce new ADI devices in the next few weeks or 1-3 months.
Depending on what's released, prices for older DACs could fall or rise.
The new devices will probably have better features.
But it's clear that RME, like Lake People/Violectric, is among the most reliable and durable brands.

If you listen to music exclusively via computer/USB, I would personally recommend local software for parametric equalization (PEQ).
You should also consider your future headphone purchases, as there are now quite a few power-hungry models available.

I don't like the poor implementation of the headphone amplifier in the Luxsin X8 (and X9) with its four TPA6120A2 drivers. It has lower power output than the Topping L30 II with two TPA6120A2 drivers and worse measured performance with higher noise.
The L70 even has twice the power output with four TPA6120A2 chips.

This is of course a consideration but barring the dac breaking I have promised my wife for it to last the next 10 years so I’m choosing carefully. The RME may be a good choice in terms of resale value since I can get it now for 700€ (quite a bit under the MSRP) and may be able to sell it if need be without a loss. Of course the new models may change this. I’m currently running the EU Apple dongle which is woefully inadequate it feels like especially for the 560s.

Regarding the EQ I much rather have it on device so than on PC as that allow me to use USB switch to use the DAC (and EQ) simultaneously with two or more devices (at least Mac mini and my gaming PC).

you can save settings in the dac or on your laptop or i-pad.

Thanks!

I almost forgot but I could also get Mojo 2 for quite cheap. How does it compare objectively? I’m sure the build quality is good but the internal battery worries me a bit considering I have no need for a portable device. I use wireless headphones for that purpose.

It’s almost impossible to discern if there are any real audible differences between these devices since there’s so much made up jargon and make believe in reviews and on other popular forums. I also took a look at the K13 R2R but I’m not convinced in actually sounds more “analog”.