Time to upgrade?

[SightUp]

I have an Adi 2 Dac FS. I got it a few years ago. I am not sure how this works. Is this a one and done kind of thing? Or are you supposed to upgrade every few years for something newer? If so, what should I be looking at?

 

[staticV3]

It's a one and done kind of deal. Buying a new DAC would give you nothing in terms of sound quality.
Much better to spend that money on headphones, speakers, room treatment, maybe a UMIK for room correction.

 

[voodooless]

I have an Adi 2 Dac FS. I got it a few years ago. I am not sure how this works.

It works however you want it to work…

Is this a one and done kind of thing?

If you want it to be…

Or are you supposed to upgrade every few years for something newer?

Shure, but why? Is the RME broken?

If so, what should I be looking at?

Nothing, close your eyes and enjoy what you have.

But seriously, if it isn’t broken, and you don’t need any other features, keep what you have, it’s excellent.

 

[SightUp]

I was possibly exploring something different and new because my current DAC listed above does not have differential end-to-end. I don't know how big of an issue this actually is, but it sounds like it's a pretty important feature that I should want to have.

 

[HarmonicTHD]

I was possibly exploring something different and new because my current DAC listed above does not have differential end-to-end. I don't know how big of an issue this actually is, but it sounds like it's a pretty important feature that I should want to have.

Unless you run a 60ft cable between your DAC and Amp, you will be fine as is. Enjoy the music and save it (maybe for some nicer speakers down the road).

 

[SightUp]

Ah ok. Right now I have kh120 Neumanns. The only thing I could think of doing is getting a sub at this point which I don't even know if that's possible on this setup.

 

[HarmonicTHD]

Ah ok. Right now I have kh120 Neumanns. The only thing I could think of doing is getting a sub at this point which I don't even know if that's possible on this setup.

I think you are all set. Nice speakers.

Sure if you really want a sub. Why not the KH750 with RoomEQ (MA1) built in. I have one.

 

[voodooless]

I was possibly exploring something different and new because my current DAC listed above does not have differential end-to-end.

Why not? The RME has balanced outputs, the kH120 has balanced inputs…

A sub you could connect via the RCA outputs. You’ll probably need to tweak the bass response on the KH120 with the dip switches of the back a bit. Or get the KH750 and use all the processing in there.

And if you haven’t done it yet, play with the PEQs of your RME. Preferably with some measurements at hand. If you can’t make those, investment in a measurement microphone might be a nice investment.

 

[Killingbeans]

Or are you supposed to upgrade every few years for something newer?

The people who manufacture and distibute so called "high-end" gear will naturally tell you that it's essential*.

But if you keep your head cool and do the math, you'll notice that the point of diminishing returns in this part of the playback chain was reached a long, long time ago.

The only reason to "upgrade" is if there's a feature or compatibility you are missing. A notable leap in sound quality is not one of them, unless you count room correction as such.

*Just to make it clear. I do not see RME as being included in that circus. If you mail them and ask, they will probably tell you to stick with what you got.

 

[VintageFlanker]

I have an Adi 2 Dac FS

Is this a one and done kind of thing?

 

[Astrozombie]

*googles*...............My brother in Christ!! A $1K DAC? You're better off spending that money on drugs or something.............

 

[LTig]

I was possibly exploring something different and new because my current DAC listed above does not have differential end-to-end.

??? The ADI2 has differential outputs to feed the speakers; what more do you need?

 

[Killingbeans]

*googles*...............My brother in Christ!! A $1K DAC? You're better off spending that money on drugs or something.............

I'm usually a bit of a cheapskate, but the ADI-2 DAC FS is probably one of the few DACs I wouldn't mind paying a premium for*.

One of the most (useful) feature-rich, well constucted DACs on the market, made by a highly respected pro audio no BS manufacturer.

It honestly seems a little nuts to even consider looking for an upgrade

*But only if I was in the market for a DAC and had a lot of cash to burn. Would rather like to completely avoid external DACs if I could.

 

[jae]

Only reason I could see buying a new product or "upgrading" is if you needed digital out on the same device for whatever reason or wanted to power some really hard to drive headphones to blistering loud levels that the RME couldn't achieve...but at that point the headphone choice is more of a problem here than the interface needing an upgrade. As others have said, if you want to spend money a measurement microphone or room correction/DSP is the logical next step, if not a subwoofer, room treatments, loudspeaker upgrade etc. The next tier speaker is the KH150 but that would cost $3500 and would probably not give you nearly as much of an improvement as spending $1500 on subwoofer(s) and DSP. You'd probably have to spend much more than that to be content with a stereo pair that played low enough without a subwoofer.

 

[SightUp]

Thank you for the replies. I probably won't pull the trigger on a sub until my VA home loan goes through and then I probably won't have the money for it. :') Looks like this sub has been out for a while. I will post again asking for recommendations when I am ready to buy!

 

[Rednaxela]

I'm usually a bit of a cheapskate, but the ADI-2 DAC FS is probably one of the few DACs I wouldn't mind paying a premium for*.

Agree.

 

[Trell]

*googles*...............My brother in Christ!! A $1K DAC? You're better off spending that money on drugs or something.............

It’s not just a DAC as it have an excellent headphone amp as well.

A major difference between his RME ADI-2 DAC FS and the rest is a DSP with PEQ, tone controls and dynamic loudness. And there is a ton of other useful features as well. I own it myself.

For what I want this works much better for me.