RME ADI-2 DAC

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

  1. wormcycle

    wormcycle Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2016
    Likes Received:
    1,506
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Toronto, ON, Canada
    What the call Ph 1/2 and 3/4 on Pro are two separate circuits, but they are identical. I recently bought the silver version with xxx90 DAC chip, used, for roughly $1250 US. I do not need remote, and did not hear any difference between xxx90 and xxx93 chip.
     
  2. limesoft

    limesoft Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2016
    Likes Received:
    489
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    London
    I'd urge anyone using Apple machine for their music to give the Apogee Element 24 a try (uses thunderbolt) - I think it bests the RME for quite a bit less money comparing them, both in HP out with dynamic drivers and as a DAC, and offers similarish feature set although not as extensive ofcourse.

    It's neutral and non digital sounding but also has inner warmth that takes the edge off whilst retaining liveliness - it doesn't sound sterile. HP-out drives dynamic hps very well with current drive amp and it has software controlled DSP eq on it's optical input; I use it as usb>optical>Apogee so I can eq the HD800s, which for an SS it drives nicely keeping that inner warmth but with good dynamics and getting some tight sub bass out of the Senns.
     
    Last edited: Jan 21, 2021
  3. Restless Audiophile

    Restless Audiophile New

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2021
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Moon
    I recently got the RME ADI 2 PRO

    Currently I am using the single ended mode and I am wondering if I will get any advantage of using the balanced mode. Activating the balanced mode require me to purchase an adaptor for my headphones, is it worth it? Any conical benefits?

    My Roon core is installed on my Mac mini which is 5 meters away from the ADI Pro. I am wondering if there is any wireless solution to connect the ADI to the Mac mini or maybe you have any other recommendation other than the wireless solution.
     
  4. Metro

    Metro Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2016
    Likes Received:
    1,590
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    San Francisco
    One wireless solution is RPi / Pi2AES Roon endpoint over WiFi. Basically what I'm doing now: Mac/Roon core => WiFi => Pi2AES => DAC

    BTW, as it says in the header area, Read these "rules" AND introduce yourself before your first post
     
    Last edited: Jan 24, 2021
  5. Restless Audiophile

    Restless Audiophile New

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2021
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Moon
     
  6. loadexfa

    loadexfa MOT: rhythmdevils audio

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2017
    Likes Received:
    2,542
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    SF Bay Area Peninsula
  7. Restless Audiophile

    Restless Audiophile New

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2021
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Moon
    Thanks but I was talking about this:
    One wireless solution is RPi / Pi2AES Roon endpoint over WiFi. Basically what I'm doing now: Mac/Roon core => WiFi => Pi2AES => DAC

    I am totally new to the digital stuff and know nothing about what he suggested.
     
  8. loadexfa

    loadexfa MOT: rhythmdevils audio

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2017
    Likes Received:
    2,542
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    SF Bay Area Peninsula
    Ahh, whoops. This thread is what you're looking for. There is a bit of an up front expense, usually less than $300. The Pi + Pi2AES is one of the best ways to get clean audio to a DAC, especially in that price range.
     
  9. Restless Audiophile

    Restless Audiophile New

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2021
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Moon
    Thanks for your help.
    Is there a one box solution that I can attach to the ADI? I don't want to go through the hassle of Pi2AES....etc
    Cost is no issue.
    Thanks again
     
  10. loadexfa

    loadexfa MOT: rhythmdevils audio

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2017
    Likes Received:
    2,542
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    SF Bay Area Peninsula
    Pi2Design (maker of Pi2AES) is working on something like that. There are also more expensive options available from Metrum Acoustics, Sonnet Audio, Rockna, and Allo. The Allo is the most similar (and comes fully assembled) but has fewer digital outputs.
     
  11. wormcycle

    wormcycle Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2016
    Likes Received:
    1,506
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Toronto, ON, Canada
    If cost is not the issue buy this: https://www.moon-audio.com/bryston-bdp3-digital-player.html
    The price in the US is just insane
    By the way I just sold BDP-2 to replace it with Pi2AES :)
     
  12. Metro

    Metro Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2016
    Likes Received:
    1,590
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    San Francisco
    Last edited: Jan 26, 2021
  13. wormcycle

    wormcycle Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2016
    Likes Received:
    1,506
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Toronto, ON, Canada
    Additional $95:https://www.moon-audio.com/bryston-wireless-adapter.html
    But I do not seriously recommend buying BDP-2 or 3 for a full price, great stuff but way overbuild for what it needs to do.
     
  14. Hrodulf

    Hrodulf Prohibited from acting as an MOT until year 2050

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Likes Received:
    4,276
    Trophy Points:
    113
  15. mrflibble

    mrflibble Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2016
    Likes Received:
    358
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    United Kingdom
    Hi

    I have the RME ADI-2 DAC V2 and am finding the treble to be bright and fatiguing, perhaps it could even be described as etched (a bit like a poor Sabre 9018 implementation IIRC).

    My setup:

    Crappy laptop USB | RPi 4 USB -> RME ADI-2 DAC -> Arcam rHead | Schiit Magni 3+ -> Senn HD 650

    Is this a characteristic of the DAC or a symptom of my setup? I have read a lot about this DAC and there seems to be very few accounts of this sound character (but there are one or two, e.g. Passion for Sound on YouTube). I do not remember hearing this character with the Modius.

    Adjusting the treble on the ADI-2 does not help. The rHead helps a bit (compared to the Magni 3+) because it blunts the edges slightly. As expected, however, it sounds worse out of the built-in amp and also worse when EQing the HD650 (I am presently using the Oratory1990 Optimum HiFi target).

    Recently, I acquired a RPi4 and am trying out Moode as a transport (have also tried Volumio). This is cleaner than the laptop USB but does not help with the treble. Using an Intona isolator helps a little, but I believe this is just making the sound less clear and dynamic rather than fixing anything.

    I intend to get the Pi2AES at some point, but there is a 4-6 week lead time and I am moving house soon. Ideally, I would like to test the ADI-2 with this to eliminate the possibility of a poor transport. Is the Pi 4 USB a reasonable transport? It is definitely an improvement over the laptop USB.

    In summary, I have two questions: Is the bright / etched treble a characteristic of the RME ADI-2 DAC? Is the RPi4 USB a respectable transport and therefore not contributing to the problem?

    Many thanks.
     
  16. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    89,777
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
    It's a general characteristic of the RME. Makes sense with your comparison to Modius which still has a bit of that delta sigma etch, but doesn't have as much mid and high treble. Keep in mind the Modius Unison USB does have a certain mellowish sound, so this probably helps. Regardless, the RME sounded excessively airy in the overall universe of DACs and yes, Magni 3+ will make things worse. Pi2AES AES3 output could help, but only so much.
     
  17. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

    Pyrate BWC MZR
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    18,653
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    On planet
    The only amp I really enjoyed paired with the ADI-2 Pro for recreational listening was BottleHead Crack, no speedball, some mods.
     
  18. Josh83

    Josh83 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2017
    Likes Received:
    1,375
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Charlottesville
    IMHO, most AKM-based DACs have at least a little etching or grain in the treble. It’s there in the RME, but it’s not the worst offender. On the positive side, ASR has assured there are oodles of eager buyers for the RME if you decide to move another direction.
     
  19. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,274
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Bird-watcher's paradise
    Seems like one man's grain is another man's texture.
     
  20. Josh83

    Josh83 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2017
    Likes Received:
    1,375
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Charlottesville
    That’s ad copy, either for expensive leather furniture or boutique shaving products.
     

Share This Page