RME ADI-2 Pro Discussion Thread

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by k.e., Nov 5, 2016.

  1. Grahad2

    Grahad2 Red eyes from too much anime

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2017
    Likes Received:
    1,162
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Singapore
    Yes you can. There's an underlying complicated gain + digital volume control the RME simplifies for you if I'm not wrong.
     
  2. gepardcv

    gepardcv Almost "Made"

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2015
    Likes Received:
    408
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Terra, Sol System
    I've been enjoying the Soekris dac1541 quite a bit, but am now curious about the ADI-2 Pro. Any casual impressions of the sound differences, specifically the DAC stages?
     
  3. Changeling

    Changeling Tube Slut

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2016
    Likes Received:
    1,019
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Sweden
    Now that jRiver has released a 64-bit version of Media Center 23 I'm happy to report that I've loaded the 64bit version of Metaplugin 3.0.7 in jRiver and thereafter successfully loaded Ghz CanOpener Studio CS3X within Metaplugin! Looking forward to hearing this one, in combination with SonarWorks, DMG Audio EQuick (for SSBB) and the PRT (pigtail + software flip). It'll be, first and foremost, compared to Waves NX and I'll be using similar settings (60 degree angle).

    jRiver 64bit: https://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=112337.0
    Goodhertz Beta 3.0.3: http://v3.goodhertz.co/
    Here's the CanOpener Studio manual: https://goodhertz.co/canopener-studio/manual
    Worth noticing is that there's no need to use the flipper dll in Metaplugin with CanOpener since it has its own right channel polarity flip built in.

    Edit1: Listening to Felix Hell playing LISZT: Prelude and Fugue on B-A-C-H yields the same crazy chest rumbling sensation, but clips in the lowest frequencies, as opposed to when using Waves NX. May be that CanOpener requires a bit more headroom than the -6db added in jRiver to begin with.
     
    Last edited: Sep 20, 2017
  4. sorrodje

    sorrodje Carla Bruni's other lover - Friend

    Staff Member Pyrate MZR
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,812
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Dijon / Burgundy / France / EU
  5. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2015
    Likes Received:
    4,495
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    42°S
    Nothing groundbreaking (for me anyhow) but it’s great to see the support that RME are throwing behind this.

    Has anyone used AES input with their ADI-2 Pro? Are there any tangible benefits over USB? There are no glaring issues with USB for me (unlike some previous DACs) but, you know... nervosa.
     
  6. sorrodje

    sorrodje Carla Bruni's other lover - Friend

    Staff Member Pyrate MZR
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,812
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Dijon / Burgundy / France / EU
    I'm using AES but didn"t compare carefully to USB yet :)
     
  7. Changeling

    Changeling Tube Slut

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2016
    Likes Received:
    1,019
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Sweden
    Same here.
     
  8. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    7,461
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Winnipeg
    The new "1" crossfeed setting is actually from my wishlist!
     
  9. bongshanks

    bongshanks New

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2017
    Likes Received:
    9
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Atlanta GA
    Ok. so what do you guys think is a better set:

    1. ADI2 Pro with a usb decrapifier $2100
    2. Schitt Gungnir MB *5th gen with Mjolnir2 $2150
    3. Neither, get a $2200 Yggdrasil and a $3000 SS amp

    Yes, I'm stuck on USB, I'm sorry.
     
  10. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    7,461
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Winnipeg
    Having compared the RME and Yggdrasil recently, here are some of my brief notes:
    - RME better deep impact
    - Yggdrasil definition best in treble (pops more), RME snaps more
    - Yggdrasil more body
    - RME most tactile
    - Yggdrasil more laid back, more air
     
  11. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2015
    Likes Received:
    4,495
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    42°S
    ADI-2 Pro does a hell of a lot for it’s size. Great DAC. Endgame IEM amp. Balanced HP out. Pre outs. DSP. Not to mention the ADC. All inside something the size of a Bifrost. I haven’t had any issues so far with regards to USB (my laptop seems to hate Schiit Gen 2), although I haven’t ABed with other inputs.
     
  12. bongshanks

    bongshanks New

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2017
    Likes Received:
    9
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Atlanta GA
    I've read that the ADI-2 Pro balanced can power the HE6 with room to spare. That is a statement in itself because I heard that you need to run a second power line to your house just to get a decent volume level out of those cans.

    I think the built in EQ is awesome, but I'm going to be controlling either of these DAC's with my macbook, and I can run an EQ plugin within Aurdivana

    I've also read that you need a decrapifier if you want to enjoy it on USB. That's something I just agree/do not question since I do notice a difference.

    Schitt has apparently fixed any USB woes with their 5th gen input.

    Yes, I'm leaning to the RME as I want something mobile and I already have their Babyface Pro which I adore. I also have a Jotunheim USB/WYRD which I adore. I'm just trying to step up as the RME BFP does not have a balanced headphone out and it's headphone power output is nowhere NEAR as powerful as the Jot.
     
  13. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    7,461
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Winnipeg
    If you're looking for a compact unit with lots of doodads, the RME is perfect. You already have the Wyrd so that solves anything you have to worry about over usb (I have one too, though didn't actually use it throughout my comparisons as I found it made little difference).

    The power output is sufficient for the HE-6, but I wouldn't call it endgame. But I'm a hoser who used to run monoblocks for his HE-6 so clearly I'm not a sane person to begin with.
     
  14. insidious meme

    insidious meme Ambivalent Kumquat

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    4,999
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Sector 8023 of the Third Quadrant
    Whoa, I'd be a bit less skeptical if one of HE-6 experts here listened through one and gave a review on it to see if it could tame the beast properly.

    No, you're one of the normal people who understood the need for power for the HE-6. A little overkill, but somewhat understandable.

    That said, I will be getting a RME Babyface Pro hopefully sooner than later, and will put it through its paces.
     
  15. GanGreinke

    GanGreinke Friend

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2016
    Likes Received:
    512
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    New York, NY
    The ADI-2 pro is a really nice small all-in-one box that is very versatile, but if you are trying to tailor your system to a headphone like the HE-6, you might be better off getting a separate stereo amp.

    You can actually get the ADI-2 Pro + Eitr for around $1800 if you order from Thomann Music (it is a company based in Germany, but they ship to the US and offer full warranty. You would just have to buy a USA-compatible 2 pronged power cord). For what it's worth, when I first received the ADI-2 pro I compared the USB to the Lynx AES16e that I had, and while I found the AES16e to smoothen out some sharpness in the treble that I got with USB and provide more of a rounder, organic sound, it wasn't a night and day difference; it was not as noticeable as going from USB Gen 3 to the AES16e with the Yggdrasil to me. I haven't done a direct comparison since then, so I don't know if things change with burn in (if you believe in that).
     
  16. bongshanks

    bongshanks New

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2017
    Likes Received:
    9
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Atlanta GA
    Thanks Gangreinke, you may have saved me a couple hundred bucks if I don't go for the GungirMB

    I'm basically looking for a step up from the Jotunheim. I'm a fan of planar headphones and I've read that HE-6 can consume 5+ watts

    Yes, the Yggdrasil is the ultimate DAC. Yes, you SHOULD use an AES input but I don't have a dedicated music PC yet (macbook pro)

    OK, maybe I should have said: Does the ADI-2 pro outperform a GungirMB for music enjoyment?

    You guys are great by the way.. this is so much better than guys shilling on youtube who mask their bullshit as a "review"
     
  17. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    7,461
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Winnipeg
    In terms of sheer power, the RME is enough to drive the HE-6 to loud levels, but personally I still prefer my HE-6 out of a power amp. If I had to downsize though, I could live with the RME.

    I've been dragging my feet on a review, but I have a bunch of notes scribbled up.
     
  18. Changeling

    Changeling Tube Slut

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2016
    Likes Received:
    1,019
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Sweden
    Having moved from Yggdrasil to ADI-2 Pro I have to say that Yggdrasil is a very competent DAC. However, as @Armaegis pointed out they do different things well. It largely depends on your needs in terms of footprint, system synergy, need for an ADC etc.

    For me, using a string of software plugins and EQ before the ADI and having a big need for a small footprint system in my office (where I do the majority of my listening) that can also switch between headphones and monitors with a simple press of a button, and with the ability to run different DAC settings for different outputs - I think the ADI-2 Pro is outstanding and "better" sounding than Yggdrasil.

    But better in this case means different. Without plugins and EQ the comparison is halting a bit and differences are easier to hear but having both DAC's running through @atomicbob IVS; I preferred ADI-2 Pro soundwise.
     
  19. bongshanks

    bongshanks New

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2017
    Likes Received:
    9
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Atlanta GA
    Changeling, I tried to search for IVS and the forums search engine is requesting more data. So, what is IVS? It sounds like a plugin I would use with Aurdivana.

    What headphone are you running through the ADI2?

    Armaegis, I'm new here and I'm trying to purge the reddit/idiot youtube reviewer mindset and get serious. Can you explain what "body" and "tactle" means? Same with snap versus pop?

    See, my babyface pro is brutal when it comes to poorly mastered songs. I guess people say that RME can be kinda clinical or cold. When I'm running Ableton/Logic. I appreciate the true, uncolored sound, but I'd like something warmer for afternoon-long sessions. Plus the Babyface doesn't have a powerful headphone output like the Schitt Jot.

    I have a feeling that the ADI has the RME coldness to the 10th level. Then again, I've heard the Yggdrasil can be "brutal" as well.

    Maybe both of these are so good that we are splitting hairs. Going back to the Schitt Gungir, I have a feeling that I would regret buying it and always want something better. (which is why i'm debating RME versus Schitt.)
     
  20. Changeling

    Changeling Tube Slut

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2016
    Likes Received:
    1,019
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Sweden

Share This Page