RME ADI-2 DAC

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by Luckbad, Jan 12, 2018.

  1. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

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    The USB implementation is very good. I didn’t notice much (if any) of a difference between AES from my RME PCIe interface vs straight USB from my motherboard.
     
  2. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    My ranking for inputs into the RME ADI-2 DAC:
    • Lynx AES16e: 100%
    • USB: 98%
    • TOSLINK: 93%
    That is straight USB without galvanic isolation that you'd get from an Intona using the stock cable (which doesn't exist for the ADI-2 Pro, but they do include one with the DAC version).

    The magic that happens inside the ADI-2 DAC is so good that I like it from any input.
     
  3. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    It's pretty easy to roll back drivers in Windows 10. I'd do it.
     
  4. PTS

    PTS Friend

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    Seems the general consensus so far is the extra money spent on devices avoiding a straight USB connection is not really worth it.

    You could really hear 2% difference between an AES16e connection and straight USB?
     
  5. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    2% there basically means: "I couldn't reliably hear a difference in a blind test, but my nervosa told me that I must prefer the Lynx." It's a meaningless difference, if any at all.

    I really don't think you need anything to clean up any part of the input to the ADI-2 DAC. The USB implementation is outstanding. You can use their stock USB cable and all is well. There was some pretty interesting discussion from the head of development over on the RME forum a while back with the ADI-2 Pro (I think?) with regard to USB cables.

    It basically boiled down to: if the data packets are all getting to the DAC, there will not be a difference in sound. We (audiophiles) have been looking at USB cables the same way as analog cables. USB does not pass audio signals, it passes along data packets that are unpacked on the receiving end. If all the packets get there intact (and the cable isn't passing along RF signals, a ground loop, etc.), there is absolutely no reason to spend money on a better USB cable.

    Anyway, that tangent aside... oh, right. I also tried it with the atomicbob Noise Nuke vs. the stock switched-mode power supply. Again, no difference. The power cleanup that occurs inside the RME unit is stellar and there is no need for something fancy to feed it. Even the Chanzon power supply I grabbed to leave at work for <$16 sounds just as good as the stock ~$60 power supply.

    For someone who suffers horribly from being capable of convincing himself that he's hearing tangible differences between cables, power supplies, etc., this DAC is a dream come true. I am one of those people, and I'm listening to it right now straight out of my computer's USB with the stock power supply without worry.
     
  6. stratocaster

    stratocaster Friend

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    I am absolutely loving this unit, especially with EQ applied to all the headphones and IEMs I use on a regular basis. It is becoming increasingly hard do use my headphones without EQ, because you become aware of their flaws quite drastically.
    The ADI-2 DAC is small enough to be transported quite easily. I am mainly using it in my study, connected to the main computer and using my open headphones on it. And I have an extra PS and USB with CCK ready to use near the couch in the living room. I unplug the unit in the study and transport it to the connection in the living room, where I can comfortably use it with my IEMs. I have also reprogrammed the remote buttons a bit, so I can quickly switch from EQ applied to EQ disabled and A/B both responses with the press of a button without having to work on the unit.
     
  7. Koth Ganesh

    Koth Ganesh Friend

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    @PTS, I have been listening to them with and without the Eitr. I have ordered a transformer adapter for my Lynx AEs 16e.

    There is no need for any USB nervosa for the ADI-2. USB implementation is very good and I do not hear any digital glare or harshness. I had to strain really hard to hear any improvement with the Eitr.
     
  8. Rthomas

    Rthomas Friend

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    Koth would you say this thing is competitive with Yggdrasil?
     
  9. Koth Ganesh

    Koth Ganesh Friend

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    Yes. But keep in mind, the ADI-2 will give up a little in terms of the slam (and little else) that Yggdrasil brings to the table. Its a lot more versatile as a unit compared to the Yggdrasil.

    Mores specifically, I still prefer to use my modded HD800 with the Yggdrasil than the ADI-2 and I was using ZDS with both DACs. On Hi Power mode, the ADI-2 amp has no issues with other HPs (in my case, the Senns HD 600, 650) and pretty much any planar (have not used the HE 6).
     
  10. Rthomas

    Rthomas Friend

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    Thanks Koth. In that case this little box is a tremendous value!
     
  11. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    Wonderful :bow:.
     
  12. neogeosnk

    neogeosnk Friend

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    Anyone compare the ADI-2 to the Gungnir Multibit? Curious if I should wait for possible upgrade of Gungnir Multibit or just get the ADI-2.
     
  13. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    It's not a fair comparison....one is silver, the other is black.
     
  14. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    Gungnir Multibit is a master of disguise, though.
     
  15. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    If you look earlier in this thread @Vtory dropped knowledge in an excellent series of posts.
     
  16. neogeosnk

    neogeosnk Friend

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    Yeah read it but wasn't sure. I went ahead and ordered one. If i don't like it for home, it'll be my main work setup.
     
  17. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    I did the same after reading the excellent write-ups here. I say thanks to @Vtory and @Luckbad, however my wallet and wife only give the middle finger ;)
     
  18. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    She thinks we are number one, too? She's too kind.
     
  19. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    I enjoyed adi2 a lot. Indeed I like it even more than when I wrote my initial impressions.
    So surprised that I don't miss Gungnir Multibit any more.

    Nevertheless still want to warn anybody who consider this as their main dac. Like many great DS implementations(Hilo for example), you may lose holographic 3D stages, organic sounding, and cohesiveness to some degree, compared to high value r2r dacs (I mostly mean Gungnir Multibit). Not much though. Also check whether you need versatility, trans-portability, and/or simpler rigs.

    Btw adi2 works great as a digital pre-amp for loudspeakers, too. I found speakers with adi2 portrayed quite acceptable depth and width of virtual stages. Instruments were placed at very believable positions. Sound is a little dry though.
     
    Last edited: Feb 6, 2018
  20. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    Any comparisons to Bifrost 4490 yet?

    I am just curious the different implementations of the same chip.
     

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