RME ADI-2 DAC

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

  1. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    Wow, this is excellent advice for me! I have Gungnir Multibit and I am considering condensing/simplifying a little and trying out atomicbob’s IVS. While I’m waiting for restock, I’m going to experiment with Loki and see if I dig any of the EQ changes on HD800. I do value all the things about Gungnir Multibit that you say are missing a little with DS DACs (never owned one).
     
  2. Schopenhauer

    Schopenhauer Big Boobs, Big Grin

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    I've been reading through the manual (and through this thread), but I haven't been able to discern whether you can set the line out volume as fixed. For example, suppose you were running a Sagaheim and wanted to add the RME ADI-2 DAC to the chain. Could you disengage the volume pot on the RME when outputting to the Saga?

    I apologize if this is a dopey question or if the answer is obvious from the technical specs in the manual (or if the answer has been implied in the thread).
     
  3. Hrodulf

    Hrodulf Prohibited from acting as an MOT until year 2050

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    There is no "pot" per se. It's a digital volume control, which you can max out and set the reference voltage level your downstream gear is compatible to.

    P.S. Got an ADI-2 DAC a few days ago for the office. It's still the same terrific sound of the ADI-2 Pro, but I need 4 DAC channels and AD, so I can digitally cross over my subs and run vinyl with room correction.
     
    Last edited: Feb 7, 2018
  4. GanGreinke

    GanGreinke Friend

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    How does the headphone output of the ADI-2 DAC compare to that of the ADI-2 Pro, specifically the balanced output?
     
  5. Colgin

    Colgin Friend

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    I am trying to decide between the DAC and Pro models for my forthcoming PMx2. Aside from price, the one feature that is important to me that only the DAC version has is the remote control. I listen far away from my source and typically need to run extension cords in between headphones and amp. A remote is very useful. Since volume is digital, does the remote allow you the same fine gradations of volume the same as if you were adjusting from the amp itself.
     
  6. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    @Colgin The remote is great! It offers 0.5 dB stepped volume control and can also make large volume changes by holding the button down. The remote is super handy being able to instantly mute your output plus it has 4 programmable buttons to add additional functions at your finger tips.
     
  7. Hrodulf

    Hrodulf Prohibited from acting as an MOT until year 2050

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    SE outputs are identical. BAL vs. SE? Well, going from 118dB to 123dB of SNR can only be heard if I hush my colleagues REALLY hard.

    You'll appreciate the remote much more than anything the Pro can throw at you. Also the 500 monies are cool to have.
     
  8. Colgin

    Colgin Friend

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    And it comes in black. :punk:Otherwise, knowing myself, I would end up spending a full $2K for the anniversary edition. of the Pro
     
  9. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    I just wanted to add that you have individual control over Line Out, Headphone, and IEM and the unit remembers the last volume setting so I can have full signal going to my separate amp, some attenuation for my headphones, and perfect channel matched volume quiet enough for my Andromeda.
     
  10. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    Isn't the big question... do you need to record stuff?

    :D That would be colleagues over in the next building, right?
     
  11. Colgin

    Colgin Friend

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    I have zero use for A to D conversion. The benefit of the Pro amp for me would merely be the balanced option. When I heard @GanGreinke 's PMx2 at a recent meet it was balanced out of the Pro model and sounded awesome. One of the reasons I purchased the PMx2. As long as the ADI-2-DAC is close enough then that is the better model for me. Just not sure how much of the sound I heard was attributable to it being run balanced.
     
  12. sorrodje

    sorrodje Carla Bruni's other lover - Friend

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    Digital outputs of the adi2-pro can be useful even for audiophiles. You can then use the RME as USB converter and/or dsp module in front of another dac or any full digital amplifier or whatever digital stuff you want to use. There's aes input as well on the pro.

    For a few of us , this can matter.
     
  13. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

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    For those with an inclination towards amp and DAC measurements, ADI-2 Pro + HpW Works offers a respectable system. More capable and trustworthy in experienced hands than APx555, dScope, etc. in the hands of certain internet personalities self proclaiming measurement guru status by virtue of expensive device ownership.
     
  14. mitochondrium

    mitochondrium Friend

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    If you do not need the AD section and with no inclination towards measurements I would go for the DAC and spend the spared extra cash on wine, women and song.
    On the other hand if you are into DRC the AD conversion is a handy thing to be able to use DRC with an analog input. Feature wise the difference between the DAC and PRO version is akin to having a sandbox or the complete playground.
     
    Last edited: Feb 7, 2018
  15. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

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    I can get behind that wholeheartedly. I never did like electronics anyway. Just got my EE degree because I liked blinking lights and watching meter needles move (while listening to Dark Side Of The Moon.) Glowing tubes were also an attraction. :D
     
  16. mitochondrium

    mitochondrium Friend

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    If you use the auto setting for volume and use the volume knob the ADI will choose the combination of voltage reference level and attenuation which will give you the best SNR. I was not particularly fond of digital volume control in the past, therefore I own a passive preamp. Having read the manual of the ADI carefully I am convinced that the ADI's ability to change the voltage reference level and digital volume control will makes it possible to use it without risking to get into the "lossy" region for all but the most extreme (and academic) settings. I still set the reference voltage level to 13 dBu and the volume control to 0 dB and use my passive preamp in order to attenuate the signal. The profit of having an ADI for me is that I can choose the voltage reference level in order to match the sweet spot of my passive transformer based preamp which if I use strong attenuation (>40 dB) tends to sound a little lean. With the ADI at 13 dBu and zero attenuation I achieve desired SPL with my speakers using between 0 and 28 dB attenuation with my preamp which gives me galvanic isolation and transforms all SE inputs to balanced. Of course I could also use 24 dBu as voltage reference level and compensate the leaner sound of my pre at strong attenuation withe the configurable loudness feature of the ADI. Mark we are still talking sandbox here as both ADIs have this feature.
     
  17. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    Man that's a lot of op amps:

    [​IMG]
     
  18. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    Sweet, I didn't want to open my up and risk voiding warranty!

    Did you take that pic? Is it the ADI-2 DAC or Pro?
     
  19. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    Not mine. Found it on the interwebs.
     
  20. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    906B0655-B717-4DB7-B5D6-09508A3F094B.jpeg

    It looks like ADI-2 Pro: 2 headphone inputs are circled. Inputs on back correspond as well.
     

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