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RME ADI-2 Reliability?

K3N3

Member
Joined
Aug 12, 2024
Messages
9
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7
Location
Toronto, Canada
I found an RME ADI-2 DAC FS for sale locally, and I was wondering if there were any known issues with it since I obviously wouldn't have warranty on it. I saw a few posts about units shorting via USB, but they were from a few years ago and I'm not sure if its an ongoing issue. Curious to see if anyone has any information/experience with it.

For context, its selling for 1000 CAD while new typically goes for ~1900 CAD.
 
For context, its selling for 1000 CAD while new typically goes for ~1900 CAD.
Interestingly, I’ve seen second hand units pop up in my area too for around half of what they used to be offered for.

It made me wonder about reliability and other (un)known issues too.

Although I have very little doubt about longevity of RME products in general.
 
I've heard of the rotary encoder wearing out and needing to be replaced. Apart from that they seem reliable, and have better long term software support than most.
 
I've heard of the rotary encoder wearing out and needing to be replaced. Apart from that they seem reliable, and have better long term software support than most.
As I see you are from Canada (right?). I'm not sure how Thomann shipping works there. But you can find b-stock on thoman for very good price. I ordered one some time ago and it's really amazing piece of kit. Plus you have 3 year warranty from Thomann.

For the encoders, there were some reports of earlier units of encoders getting some corrosion and working in a strange way.
RME updated firmware and now there is option to adjust "encoder filter" it suppose to mitigate the problem.
 
I have an ADI 2 PRo FS Be and I so I follow the user forum. It is worth having a quick scan through there for issues.

In general, they support their units both hardware and software for a very long period (professional studios don't flip some devices for years and expect ongoing support).

All equipment can have faulty batches of components. When this happens with RME they take it seriously - they depend on their reputation. I've seen mention of a small batch of faulty screens, and reference to a high frequency resonance, but otherwise, most comments come from people not knowing how best to use their devices, or issues with software compatibility (usually an end-user problem, not something wrong with RME software).
 
I found an RME ADI-2 DAC FS for sale locally, and I was wondering if there were any known issues with it since I obviously wouldn't have warranty on it. I saw a few posts about units shorting via USB, but they were from a few years ago and I'm not sure if its an ongoing issue. Curious to see if anyone has any information/experience with it.

For context, its selling for 1000 CAD while new typically goes for ~1900 CAD.
Interestingly, I’ve seen second hand units pop up in my area too for around half of what they used to be offered for.

It made me wonder about reliability and other (un)known issues too.

Although I have very little doubt about longevity of RME products in general.
RME devices, including the ADI series, are among the most reliable on the market and the manufacturer takes care of problems if they arise.

But be very careful if used devices (not just RME) are offered too cheaply. Often these are scams that are just trying to make buyers careless because of the low price. Often a story is told as to why only unsafe payment methods are possible, or an unsafe partial payment/down payment is required. Please don't fall for it.
Also use the image search. If you find the same images in past auctions or advertisements, it is a scam.
 
But be very careful if used devices (not just RME) are offered too cheaply. Often these are scams that are just trying to make buyers careless because of the low price. Often a story is told as to why only unsafe payment methods are possible, or an unsafe partial payment/down payment is required. Please don't fall for it.
Also use the image search. If you find the same images in past auctions or advertisements, it is a scam.
This is terrific advice, thank you.

On second hand trading platforms, when things look too good to be true, they often are.
 
On second hand trading platforms, when things look too good to be true, they often are.
No, you can't say that in general, I have often bought devices at very low prices. There are sellers who don't care about money, but don't want to throw anything away and want to get rid of it quickly.
But compared to the fraudulent offers, that's only a small percentage.
 
No, you can't say that in general, I have often bought devices at very low prices. There are sellers who don't care about money, but don't want to throw anything away and want to get rid of it quickly.
But compared to the fraudulent offers, that's only a small percentage.
Perhaps of interest is that I was merely quoting our own main s/h trading platform's fraud FAQ page. Wish I could show you the site (and quote) through Google Translate but that doesn't work for some reason. But the line is in there.

Anyway I believe we agree either way.

Thank you once again.
 
I have three RME ADI-2 DAC FS units. They have been rock solid and the new remote software feature is absolutely fantastic. My Denon AVR receivers on the other hand have had failure rates far greater than I could imagine. I can't recommend RME enough.
 
I found an RME ADI-2 DAC FS for sale locally, and I was wondering if there were any known issues with it since I obviously wouldn't have warranty on it. I saw a few posts about units shorting via USB, but they were from a few years ago and I'm not sure if its an ongoing issue. Curious to see if anyone has any information/experience with it.

For context, its selling for 1000 CAD while new typically goes for ~1900 CAD.
I have been following these on CAM and the typical price for a used one in Canada is in the $1000 to $1100 range, so that price is not exceptionally cheap.
 
Thanks for the info everyone, looks like I might go ahead and take a look at it, if not outright buy it when I get the opportunity.
RME devices, including the ADI series, are among the most reliable on the market and the manufacturer takes care of problems if they arise.

But be very careful if used devices (not just RME) are offered too cheaply. Often these are scams that are just trying to make buyers careless because of the low price. Often a story is told as to why only unsafe payment methods are possible, or an unsafe partial payment/down payment is required. Please don't fall for it.
Also use the image search. If you find the same images in past auctions or advertisements, it is a scam.
Luckily I'll be able to see it in person, so no issues here for the most part (will need due diligence on my part to make sure it's working an all, however)
 
Today I saw a unit pop up on the main platform here for €400.

Pictures look fine, seller looks legit.

Scratching my head.

It started this summer.
 
I found an RME ADI-2 DAC FS for sale locally, and I was wondering if there were any known issues with it since I obviously wouldn't have warranty on it. I saw a few posts about units shorting via USB, but they were from a few years ago and I'm not sure if its an ongoing issue. Curious to see if anyone has any information/experience with it.

For context, its selling for 1000 CAD while new typically goes for ~1900 CAD.
If you're concerned you can also write support and tell them you have an out of warranty problem, see if they respond and how.
 
Today I saw a unit pop up on the main platform here for €400.

Pictures look fine, seller looks legit.

Scratching my head.

It started this summer.
the orifinal dac fs (ak4490) came out what, almost 7 years ago?
and for a price of something like 900-1000€ when new, 400 now seems reasonable

mine (an ak4493) is about 3 years old now and it's been sitting on a shelf for quite a while before that, it's been running almost 24/7 driving mostly a power amp /speakers and headphones at evenings/nights, without any issue so far (knock on wood, as they say)
 
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