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

[Rja4000]

But there are RME ADI-2 Pro (non-FS), RME ADI-2 Pro FS and RME ADI-2 Pro FS R, correct?

Yes, indeed.

And there is also the cheaper ADI-2 (non Pro) fs
There used to be a non-fs version of this one too, but that was a long time ago.
This is most probably too limited for home use, though.
(There is no USB interface)
This is more a Pro-market or Home-Studio-market device.

 

[Nango]

If it only looked like HiFi and not like a lab equipment for chemistry....

 

[mtf612]

I wish they came in an all silver chasis so that it could better match my setup.
Thanks for the review, Amir. I guess it is time to buy myself a graduation gift.

 

[thefsb]

Could you set up the EQ to the RIAA curve?

 

[A.West]

I've just ordered it. Any advice on how to optimally set the 5 equalizer points for a Senn HD800?
Can Amir or another owner comment on the appeal or not of the crossfeed filters?

 

[pozz]

Yes, indeed.

And there is also the cheaper ADI-2 (non Pro) fs
There used to be a non-fs version of this one too, but that was a long time ago.
This is most probably too limited for home use, though.
(There is no USB interface)
This is more a Pro-market or Home-Studio-market device.

Wow this is confusing.

@MC_RME Could you please confirm the release dates for these devices?

• RME ADI-2 DAC (if it exists?)
• RME ADI-2 DAC FS
• RME ADI-2 DAC FS v2
• RME ADI-2 Pro
• RME ADI-2 Pro FS
• RME ADI-2 Pro FS R
• RME ADI-2
• RME ADI-2 FS

 

[Billy Budapest]

I think the most compelling thing about the RME is its feature set—how much it can do and also still manage to be near the SOTA in its measurements. Considering its capabilities, performance, and its made-in-Germany construction, it has very good value even at its >$1000 price point.

I have to second the suggestion to create a new color for the band of products with SINAD>115.

 

[VintageFlanker]

@MC_RME Could you please confirm the release dates for these devices?

• RME ADI-2 DAC (if it exists?)
• RME ADI-2 DAC FS
• RME ADI-2 DAC FS v2
• RME ADI-2 Pro
• RME ADI-2 Pro FS
• RME ADI-2 Pro FS R
• RME ADI-2
• RME ADI-2 FS

All correct apart from the ADI-2 DAC, which doesn't exist (or hasn't been launched).

 

[LTig]

I do.
Perfect

Me too.

 

[Rockfella]

RME ... hmm maybe someday I will own one

Thanks for the review amirm.

 

[A.West]

Now can someone ask RME to make a surround sound AV pre-pro with room correction?

 

[gvl]

I will buy the next version if they add support for convolution filters.

 

[amirm]

No Thermal graph, Output impedance, and Filters, and Headphone-Out SINAD, Jitter vs Input?

;-{

I post the default filter output in the review.

 

[ElNino]

Wow this is confusing.

@MC_RME Could you please confirm the release dates for these devices?

• RME ADI-2 DAC (if it exists?)
• RME ADI-2 DAC FS
• RME ADI-2 DAC FS v2
• RME ADI-2 Pro
• RME ADI-2 Pro FS
• RME ADI-2 Pro FS R
• RME ADI-2
• RME ADI-2 FS

You forgot the RME ADI-2 Pro FS R BE. (Not a joke, BTW.)

Great company, great products, but very hard to understand product naming system. It probably costs them some sales.

 

[maverickronin]

Can Amir or another owner comment on the appeal or not of the crossfeed filters?

It's crossfeed filters are all fairly standard. Have you used crossfeed on anything else before?

It's purpose is to simulate the the way way sound from one channel diffracts around your head to the opposite ear when listening to speakers.

If you're susceptible to the psychoacoustic effect (and your headphones are suitable) it will move the phantom images farther out in front of you and prevent hard panned instruments from sounding like you're standing in the middle of a long hallway with speakers at either end.

IME the HD800 responds very well to crossfeed so it's definitely worth trying.

 

[Nango]

Now can someone ask RME to make a surround sound AV pre-pro with room correction?

And a portable DAP-style Astell like pls!!

 

[Veri]

I've just ordered it. Any advice on how to optimally set the 5 equalizer points for a Senn HD800?
Can Amir or another owner comment on the appeal or not of the crossfeed filters?

HD800 https://www.dropbox.com/s/6czdp06yd7bzvb7/Sennheiser HD800 (5 Band EQ).pdf?dl=0
HD800S https://www.dropbox.com/s/xodkbwyvz6fh2cr/Sennheiser HD800S (RME ADI-2 setting).pdf?dl=0
(from oratory's list of presets)

 

[Hemi-Demon]

Congratulations, RME!
Great to see how the use of AK4493 improved the performance over the use of AK4490.
It would be fantastic if they would make a version with a top chip like the AK4499, not only for ultimate performance, but also because its multichannels capabilities would allow many possibilities such as multiple parallel uses of front and back outputs.



Hi jae, I agree with you re. a XLR-4 output, as the cables of my headphones are often terminated with this kind of connection. I have a 22xTRS --> XLR-4 adapter for my ADI 2 Pro, but I find it cumbersome to use. Also when the RME amp clips (it happened so often when I would let it directly drive my HE6se..., but sometimes even with the Arya; luckily I now have the HPA4 amp), it sets back to a single TRS output, and the sound becomes mono...
A front XLR-4 output would mean a bigger form factor, but actually I would love a bigger screen (the present one is packed with information, but that info is so tiny, sometimes a hassle to read for me, esp. when compared with that of the HPA4) which would also be a touchscreeen (the button combinations are not the simplest way of navigating, so much time spent with the online manual...), i.e. a screen like that of the HPA4. (A bigger format would also allow to integrate a power supply). The price however would be much higher.

My dream RME would upgrade the present ADI 2 [PRO] FS with:
one or two AK4499, a front balanced XLR-4 output, a front balanced 2,5 mm IEM output, a larger touchscreen like that of the HPA4, a more powerful amp... but would be much more expensive...

All the best to all,
bidn

I 100% agree. All I want is a single AK4999, one XLR front output, keep the iem 3.5mm jack (or 4.4mm) at low impedance, and dual XLR outputs in the rear.

 

[maverickronin]

Now can someone ask RME to make a surround sound AV pre-pro with room correction?

I will buy the next version if they add support for convolution filters.

And a portable DAP-style Astell like pls!!

While we're fantasizing, I would like parametric controls for the crossfeed instead of just 4 presets and a compressor...

 

[pozz]

You forgot the RME ADI-2 Pro FS R BE. (Not a joke, BTW.)

Great company, great products, but very hard to understand product naming system. It probably costs them some sales.

I own that one

It came at the same time as the Pro FS R.