1.     Don't be a dotard!
    Read these "rules" AND introduce
    yourself     before your first post
  2. A healthy approach to understanding measurements
    Being true to what the artists intended
  3. After being asked for the 308th time, Merv lists top 5 headphones
    (opinion / entertainment piece)
    Dismiss Notice
  4. $1000 to the first to design a headamp using discrete components with better measurements than Magni 3+
    Dismiss Notice
IMPORTANT: New Members Read This Don't Be a Measurement Fascist Merv's Top 5 Headphones - 2023 Edition $1000 Challenge

RME ADI-2 Pro Discussion Thread

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

Tags:
Page 8 of 29
  1. TheBrightSide

    TheBrightSide New

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2017
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    1
    Location:
    Australia
    I also like how the HD800's (orig) sound with the ADI-2 in balanced mode.

    I'm very impressed with the EQ, it was a feature I didn't think I'd ever use.
    I thought I'd try some room/speaker correction. My room is very well treated, but is small and square so it's difficult to get perfect.
    I set up the Room Eq Wizard, found the peaks and dips, and could easily correct them on the ADI-2.
    Re testing showed that the EQ was super accurate, and resulted with the low end sounding much smoother.
     
    TheBrightSide, Apr 16, 2017
    #141
  2. Hrodulf

    Hrodulf Prohibited from acting as an MOT until year 2050

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Likes Received:
    4,305
    Trophy Points:
    113
    It's super hard to treat for low frequencies. EQ most of the time is essential.
     
    Hrodulf, Apr 16, 2017
    #142
  3. 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
    Question : Seem it's impossible to apply EQ or any other effect to Digital outputs . Did I miss something ?

    I was trying to use the RME as Dac with my Stratus and USB converter/DSP processor to my Yggdrasil in order to have EQ applied on both chains. :

    Daphile/DIGIGRAM AES Out > RME > Yggdrasil (SPDIF in) > Stratus
    vs
    Daphile/DIGIGRAM AES out > RME > Stratus

    But it seems no volume control/EQ or any other effect apply to the digital out.

    I did begin comparison between Stratus and the embedded headphone amp as well. I have yet to match perfectly the volumes before any more substantial impressions though
     
    sorrodje, Apr 17, 2017
    #143
  4. Psalmanazar

    Psalmanazar Most improved member; A+

    Pyrate Slaytanic Cliff Clavin
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    5,345
    Trophy Points:
    113
    So the new TI current chip amps are good? The Grace M9XX was good but nobody on diyaudio has figured out how to implement them.
     
    Psalmanazar, Apr 17, 2017
    #144
  5. 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
    @Psalmanazar :

    For sure, the RME makes the HD800SD easy to enjoy without listening fatigue. IMO a few points are very good : Spacialization , bass impact are good. Overall macro dynamics are good as well . The dac or the amplifier or the combination of both offer a smooth/warmish tone that makes the combination with the Senn really easy and very enjoyable to listen to. Nothing wrong I can detect at least. Even more so when a bit of EQ is applied , making the HD800 FR a lot more correct ( I used my ears to make the FR more even. Pink noise , sweeps and music) . In that sense, the RME/HD800 combo makes a lot of sense in my opinion and could be a end game for people who are after "good enough" sound. And we're talking about a very hi level "good enough" :) . i was a bit afraid of a cold/analytical/harsh sound . Probably the "pro" tag made me think that way. but the RME is not analytical or harsh.

    During the last 10 days of tests , I thought this RME was still lacking something though. There's something slghtly off/boring/muted/ overly smoothed. Lack of Resolution/Dynamics/clarity I'd say at first glance and I'd say the my small comparison against the Stratus ( Same EQ applied obviously) confirms my feeling so Maybe the headphone amplifier is the culprit there but I have yet to confirm those feelings .

    To make it clear : As an All-In-One Desktop solution, I would probably advice this RME over the HDVD800 for example. And by a wide margin. DSP processor is IMO a must have with the Senn. but I'd still say the ADI2 pro (without EQ or any other DS applied) and HDVD800 offer a similar approach in the sound though. Kinda beefy, warm, punchy but somewhat not the last word in finesse ? both Senn dac/amp and the RME are safe bets for the HD800. I obviously would take the RME over a Chord Hugo but that one fails in garbage territory for me.

    Point is now to determinate ( at least for myself) how compete this "good enough" solution against my Yggdrasil and Stratus. I genuinely bought this RME with the idea in mind to replace a huge pile of expensive audiophile gear by a simple all-in-on desktop solution but more experiment will tell me if the "good enough" is enough for me.. or not.

    The only thing I'm now sure is that I'll keep an EQ and/or a DSP processor in my HD800 rig in the future.
     
    sorrodje, Apr 17, 2017
    #145
  6. Hrodulf

    Hrodulf Prohibited from acting as an MOT until year 2050

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Likes Received:
    4,305
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Digital outs can only be monitored. Can't apply DSP to them.
     
    Hrodulf, Apr 17, 2017
    #146
  7. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2015
    Likes Received:
    4,520
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    42°S
    Differences between the RME ADI-2 Pro and the RME ADI-2 Pro AE
    • Three orange LEDs illuminate the PCB and the components.
    • Unique see-through top The plexi's inside print (scratch protected) states 'Anniversary Edition, 20 Years of RME'.
    • The rear TS double socket has gold-plated contacts, to matche the front panel headphones connections.
    • An additional metal shield optimizes crosstalk suppression between the left and right XLR inputs. The shield is similar to the one preventing crosstalk from the TS outputs to XLR R input, which is a features of all RME ADI Converters.
    • The four rubber feet have been replaced with four stylised Hi-Fi feet with brushed chrome design.
    • The four holes on the side of the original, designed to allow for rack ear mounting, have been removed.
    • A special sleeve and manual (with additional text and matching photo).
    Are gold jacks and additional shielding likely to provide perceivable benefits?
     
    jowls, Apr 19, 2017
    #147
  8. Hrodulf

    Hrodulf Prohibited from acting as an MOT until year 2050

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Likes Received:
    4,305
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Don't know about the shield (haven't measured the AE), but gold jacks usually yield no audible benefit. Gold plated contacts are less prone to corrosion, so that's the advantage here.
     
    Hrodulf, Apr 19, 2017
    #148
  9. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2015
    Likes Received:
    4,520
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    42°S
    There is USD$400 difference in price over here. Perhaps I would be better off putting that money towards some new music instead |\/|
     
    jowls, Apr 19, 2017
    #149
  10. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    14,222
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    India
    Puritanical is my word of the day... Which is why I am unimpressed at RME pandering to the audiophool market.
    Definitely!


    .
     
    Thad E Ginathom, Apr 20, 2017
    #150
  11. 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
    Fancy BS for 400 bucks. It should teach us a lot about how audiophiles are considered in pro audio world......
     
    sorrodje, Apr 20, 2017
    #151
  12. Grahad2

    Grahad2 Red eyes from too much anime

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2017
    Likes Received:
    1,162
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Singapore
    The changes were made certainly to appeal to a certain imagined demographic.

    "Zey like tupes right?"
    "Ja"
    "Zen ve but LEDs! Zo it glovs like one! Jawohl!"
    "Kold blating too!"
    "Ja, und ve schall raize brices! Zis cannot fail."

    The only stuff that actually improve the product is the gold plating for corrosion resistance and the added shielding.
     
    Grahad2, Apr 20, 2017
    #152
  13. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    14,222
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    India
    @Grahad2 ... Lol and triple likes

    :bow:

    .
     
    Thad E Ginathom, Apr 20, 2017
    #153
  14. Hrodulf

    Hrodulf Prohibited from acting as an MOT until year 2050

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Likes Received:
    4,305
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Bah, it's a limited edition unit, so they don't plan to make it the main offer. People have paid more just for bragging rights, just look at the automotive market.

    P.S. Just did loopbacks for the regular vs AE. Funnily enough the AE has around 10dB advantage in THD-N measurements under 30Hz. Might be production differences, cables, who knows...
     
    Hrodulf, Apr 20, 2017
    #154
  15. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    14,222
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    India
    Sure. And, if someone gave me one, it wouldn't exactly wipe the smile off my face if I opened the box to find a Limited Edition. I could live with it.

    :cool:
     
    Thad E Ginathom, Apr 20, 2017
    #155
  16. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2015
    Likes Received:
    4,520
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    42°S
    It's interesting that there is a measurable difference, but it looks like I am going to settle for the carbon engine cover on my Lamborghini Gallardo, rather than the glass one ;)
     
    jowls, Apr 20, 2017
    #156
  17. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2015
    Likes Received:
    4,520
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    42°S
    jowls, Apr 21, 2017
    #157
  18. Hrodulf

    Hrodulf Prohibited from acting as an MOT until year 2050

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Likes Received:
    4,305
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Hrodulf, Apr 27, 2017
    #158
  19. GoodEnoughGear

    GoodEnoughGear Evil Dr. Shultz‎

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,070
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Cape Town, South Africa
    I appreciate genuine candor - it inspires trust.
     
    GoodEnoughGear, Apr 27, 2017
    #159
  20. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    14,222
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    India
    I still have fond memories of buying SoS magazine, and of my monthly pre-internet magazine buy it was my favourite and most respected.

    It's been a long time since I did, but RME is a company one can talk to.

    Obviously, people are buying this box as just a DAC. Not certain I'd do that, even If I could afford it. Oh hey, probably would. This or Halo, and Lynx don't know the word "Linux." Which is another thing: nice to see that RME have remembered the word Linux these days. Although, of course, that is a lot easier to do when it's a box with full front-panel control, not a card that needs GUI software. But... Class-compliant, even. Hello Lynx?

    Yet again, feeling sad that I don't actually record anything these days. That would give me a much better excuse for dreaming about the ADI-2 Pro :D

    (There's that word "Pro" in a model name again; something I sometimes rant about. RME are entitled. When they say "Pro," it isn't just hype.)
     
    Thad E Ginathom, Apr 27, 2017
    #160
Page 8 of 29

Share This Page