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RME ADI-2 DAC FS
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RME ADI-2 DAC FS
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Product Description
Designed to deliver studio-grade sound to any setup, the ADI-2 DAC from RME is the next step in digital-to-audio processing. Using AKM's highly regarded AK4493 DAC chip in a special circuit developed by RME engineers, the ADI-2 DAC delivers sample rates up to 768 kilohertz, as well as DSD and Direct DSD playback Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downPapptona
37
Mar 11, 2021
I'd like to add some visual output like this to my setup (Grace balanced SDAC + THX AAA 789 + LCD-X). Is there standalone hardware out there with similar visual output? I'd also like something with an equalizer as well as any other informative displays e.g. output level, dB, THD, etc.. I found some stuff on Amazon, but would love some advice from the drop community.
TomWhitmen
2
Mar 8, 2021
Bought this from a local retailer here in Canada, last year. Was cheaper than what Drop is selling it for here now and got it quicker than what they are quoting for shipping. Don't see why you would buy it here unfortuantly. Having said that absolutely love this DAC. Love the options easy to use, great build quality. So happy with this DAC purchase but maybe look elsewhere as this is nothing special for a drop.
Rustydabear
9
Mar 8, 2021
I own one of these. It really is the bomb. So wide and clean. Not as difficult to use as you might think. I got mine working within five minutes and I was hooked. Paired mine with the THX AAA 789 for balanced. The build quality of the RMe is first class (unlike the THX 789, which is el-cheapo manufacturing, btw). The EQ is the best I have used and just having a big bass and treble control is just so damn logical! the whole unit is super logical... I Use my Meze Empyreans, my Heddphone's- which it can run. My custom Noble's shine with the iem output- Silent! Pretty much my end game. I very highly recommend the Adi-2 DAC FS- it is a bargain for what you get
Rustydabear
9
Apr 25, 2021
Hi Sid,
The heddphone sound different over balanced. They sound warmer and have taller head room . As far as the volume level on the RME it’s nice to hear it with more punch from the 789, but I most often listen to them just with the RME. That being said I am glad I have both options. The RME is amazing! both my Meze Empyreans and my Heddphone sound great with it such a Wide sound stage. Also the iem port is great- so clean!
I listen to my Heddphones both ways- maybe a 60% RME- I like the cooler unbalanced sound of the Heddphone a tiny bit more, tbh- but it’s close!
For only $299 I think it is totally worth it to pick up a 789. You get balanced plus you get pretty much unlimited clean power. The arms fits nicely on top of the 789. I picked up an adapter so I can just use the 4.4mm cords I use to connect to my 3 dap players.
saves money on a new cord...
Are use audio quest red river XLR cables to connect them.
I hope that helps answer your question. Jump on the 789 for the price and added flexibility.
maximumsid
49
Apr 26, 2021
RustydabearThanks a lot! It really helped in getting the answer I wanted. I basically didn't want to add more clutter to my setup (I also make vids on YT, so more stuff and cables = bad on camera), so I just wanted to know if ADI-2 DAC was good enough to use with HEDDphones without any significant drawbacks compared to using them with more powerful amplifiers (especially in their bass delivery). I also have Adam A5X connected to ADI-2 DAC, which have room correction applied, so to add a headphone amp, I'd have to add a Mackie Big Knob, and then when switching between speakers and headphone amplifiers, I'd have to change EQ preset every time, which I didn't want to do as ADI-2 DAC automatically switches EQ preset when changing inputs. I might get an ADI-2 Pro soon to be able to compare headphones, and use HEDDphones in balanced mode, as a single box doing everything is really important for me.
Narq
912
Mar 7, 2021
Forget the tech. I wish I could buy the ability to discern the audio quality that $1300 apparently provides. I listen to grossly compressed streaming music and mp3s and they sound just fine to me. Any deals on new ears, Drop?
cong314159
102
Mar 10, 2021
NarqForget the trolling. I wish I could buy the ability to respect people with different hobbies that my mother apparently never taught me.
KattoJesu
137
Mar 7, 2021
Kinda wish RME Upgraded them to the new ak4499 or at lest ak449797 chips, but the implementation is great so i guedd that makes up for it
fazalmajid
175
Mar 6, 2021
Keep in mind the AKM factory fire has reduced availability of their DAC chips, so unexpected delays are, well, to be expected.
Gorkus
21
Mar 6, 2021
A cautionary word about these units (I've written my experiences elsewhere, so I'll copy them here, feel free to ask for further details):
I had the opportunity to purchase an otherwise functioning ADI-2-DAC FS with a defective screen for very cheap (<1/4 price, 400CAD) , they go through revisions silently that require completely different parts that you can no longer acquire directly. I am an individual who is comfortable soldering electronics, and would otherwise have no issue replacing an lcd.
To quote their replacement parts dealer's website: "RME has changed the type and size of their OLED's and replacing the oled needs a new front panel and hardware modifications we suggest that you contact your local RME distibutor to have it replaced."
- I ended up contacting: [RME, local headphone shop who stocks RME, RME Parts Distributor, Canadian RME Repair Hub (there's only 1 place in canada for RME repairs & it's in montreal, they charge 75$/hr for labor out of warranty + parts & ship to get it out to germany since it apparently requires a pcb modification that only the factory in germany can do).
This resulted in the expert technician at the RME repair center telling me personally he would not touch the defective unit at any price if he were in my shoes since the repair will almost definitely cost more than a new unit (after I asked their opinion) - so IMO (and in the opinion of the expert technician) as soon as a RME product is out of warranty with a problem, it's next to worthless. If the screen dies, the thing is worth about 50$ in scrap metal/connectors.
TLDR: I sent so many emails to figure out that a semi-functional (pass through was still working) adi 2 dac out of warranty that I would be more than comfortable fixing myself is near worthless due to their ongoing revisions , and saved myself about 400CAD in the process (yeah, it did seem like a screaming deal at first).
I don't imagine buying one of these in the future (though I was deadset prior), and now I further value the lack of a display screen and discrete source components (most lcd screens have a limited lifespan anyway + difficulty getting the exact part to replace) because they are easier to repair, replace & isolate issues when you can swap parts around and only have to deal with common pcb packages.
(Edited)
confuzyon
53
Aug 31, 2021
GorkusJust after the 2 year mark mine started to have significant issues. The relays all started to go - meant the sound on one of the channels would be inconsistent. It was super annoying. No repair option. I am now the proud owner of a paper weight. I will never buy a RME device again.
(Edited)
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