RME ADI-2 DAC Thread

[NehPets]

Love the rme adi-2 dac, however the more I listen with it, it has a slight bright tone to it, with just about any headphone I plug into it, I use the crossfeed and the eq to tame the treble, but you know how it is, you have to barely do it so it didn't distort things up.
Is definitely a keeper as the clarity and resolution is just nuts.
But what is a an amp around 1k$(I don't mind buying used) that xan give me a warm tone, really just looking for treble to be not sharp or peaky, to be tamed down yet still detailed.? I don't care about bass.

Phatlab Chimera; thinking about picking one up myself.

 

[SupperTime]

What is this and how can I use it to my advantage.. What's the *best settings *?

 

[Dogmatrix]

What is this and how can I use it to my advantage.. What's the *best settings *?

As it says it is a buffer so the unit gets slightly ahead of what is playing . If there is an error the unit will expend the buffer while it attempts to correct the error so hopefully there will be no audible glitch . If you listen to material which has a large number of errors (you are hearing skips or pops) set the buffer to a high number otherwise leave it on default .

 

[SupperTime]

As it says it is a buffer so the unit gets slightly ahead of what is playing . If there is an error the unit will expend the buffer while it attempts to correct the error so hopefully there will be no audible glitch . If you listen to material which has a large number of errors (you are hearing skips or pops) set the buffer to a high number otherwise leave it on default .

I appreciate you, while I didn't notice any pops or clicks yet, I guess Ill leave it on the default...
Which is the 1000 plus

 

[darmccombs]

Love the rme adi-2 dac, however the more I listen with it, it has a slight bright tone to it, with just about any headphone I plug into it, I use the crossfeed and the eq to tame the treble, but you know how it is, you have to barely do it so it didn't distort things up.
Is definitely a keeper as the clarity and resolution is just nuts.
But what is a an amp around 1k$(I don't mind buying used) that xan give me a warm tone, really just looking for treble to be not sharp or peaky, to be tamed down yet still detailed.? I don't care about bass.

It may be worth searching online for EQ setting for your particular headphone(s). A member here pointed me towards some EQ settings for my Sony Z7m2 and it cleaned up the bass and tamed the upper midrange peak I had. It has helped good recording and bad. Something like this page: http://www.tellementnomade.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=92&t=21753&start=540#p687882

I wouldn't buy more gear right away, when some EQ settings for your headphones, may fix things up for you.

 

[Picard7]

Yes I have some bad sharp peaky recordings that I love and cannot find clean files for them, mostly listen to streaming services to discover music before purchasing, so those suck too. Just need an amp that tones the treble down, takes peaky shouty tones out, but looses no detail...

Try looking into some tube amps.

 

[darmccombs]

Is the ADI-2 significantly impacted by the source device?

I currently stream Qobuz using an IPad Pro (via USB-C) or a Macbook Pro (via USB-C). Would I see a noticeable improvement in Sound Quality if I switched to a DAP that streams Qobuz? If so, about how much would I need to spend to see a decent increase?

 

[JWahl]

I've been using the ADI-2 DAC now for a few days and, as a total package, I absolutely love it. I've owned some more expensive DACs and other gear, but had scaled down my setup awhile back due to budget constraints and perceived value. For awhile, I've been using a Grace M9xx and Headamp Gilmore Lite Mk. 2. I upgraded to a Liquid Platinum and then the RME as a source. I'm really impressed with the thoughtful design and features, such as the loudness feature and auto-reference gain level. I was originally looking into the Schiit Bifrost 2, having owned the Gungnir Multibit and Yggdrasil in the past. But...I'm glad I chose the RME. I suspect I might ultimately prefer the sound of the Bifrost 2, but the flexibility and features of the RME is what sold me.

I feel like it's as resolving as I would like a DAC to be, while not committing any major sonic sins in the process. The irony is if it weren't for reading some of the reviews and impressions I trust, I might have never considered this DAC. The marketing is conservative and there's little to no FOTM buzzwords. No crazy tap-length proprietary filters, no R2R, wall-wart switching supply, op-amps everywhere, etc. Yet, the exceptional engineering behind the design shines through and shows what is possible with the right design. And while it's not cheap, per se, I don't feel like I'm getting wildly overcharged relative to a lot of other equipment on the market. It's just a good, honest product.

Also, the built in amp is much more capable than I was expecting with the HD-650. Much more so than the Grace M9xx. I still prefer the Gilmore Lite Mk. 2 and Liquid Platinum out of the RME, but if it came down to my M9xx + GLite Mk. 2 or only the RME at similar price limits, I'd choose the RME by itself. Running the HD-650 balanced out of the Liquid Platinum just takes everything to the next level while preserving the resolution that the RME is capable of. I try to keep the LP at a fixed volume and use the RME as volume control to take advantage of the loudness feature, auto-ref, and remote. Now, it almost feels a little silly (or perhaps dated) to spend $1,000 plus on a DAC that's "just a DAC" with no additional features. After about 10 years in this hobby, I've become tired of buying, selling, and trading DACs seeking minor tweaks that I can get with a few turns of a knob. As long as my budget allows, I feel like I will be sticking with this one for awhile. Great job, RME.

 

[SupperTime]

Is the ADI-2 significantly impacted by the source device?

I currently stream Qobuz using an IPad Pro (via USB-C) or a Macbook Pro (via USB-C). Would I see a noticeable improvement in Sound Quality if I switched to a DAP that streams Qobuz? If so, about how much would I need to spend to see a decent increase?

Since I had rme adi-2 dac, I used my note 10 with adi-2 via USB c to usb b out.
It sounds great.
Recently I got a cardas clear usb cable and use it from my laptop to the rme. Sound is way way better. I no longer use my phone as transport.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Is the ADI-2 significantly impacted by the source device?

I currently stream Qobuz using an IPad Pro (via USB-C) or a Macbook Pro (via USB-C). Would I see a noticeable improvement in Sound Quality if I switched to a DAP that streams Qobuz? If so, about how much would I need to spend to see a decent increase?

Well no, it cannot be unless there is something wrong. Digital is digital. What happens during conversions is much more critical.

 

[darmccombs]

Since I had rme adi-2 dac, I used my note 10 with adi-2 via USB c to usb b out.
It sounds great.
Recently I got a cardas clear usb cable and use it from my laptop to the rme. Sound is way way better. I no longer use my phone as transport.

Can you clarify, was moving from the phone to PC what made things sound "way better"? Or, did you see an improvement by upgrading the USB cable from the Laptop to the RME?

 

[SupperTime]

From switching from phone to laptop with provided cable, made a significant difference in sound. More clarity, more punchy, more dynamic
The upgraded USB a to usb b I bought further improved sound by isolating the USB 5v and made the sound have less brightness, love it. Switched back to the *old ways* and was shocked at the significance of change

 

[arielext]

I've joined the ADI-2 DAC universe this week; need proper audio in isolation you know
I should have done this before! I understand I'm in the honneymoon period with this dac/amp but I'm floored by the sheer amount of useful features.

 

[darmccombs]

I've joined the ADI-2 DAC universe this week; need proper audio in isolation you know
I should have done this before! I understand I'm in the honneymoon period with this dac/amp but I'm floored by the sheer amount of useful features.

It may be the Honeymoon period now, but I think you'll like it even more in a couple weeks as you learn more about the EQ, Bass/Treble, Loudness and power output settings. You can use these settings to optimize your sound quality, which really adds to the fun.

 

[Deolum]

Hello i'm considering buying the ADI-2 DAC FS. I have a few questions.

So far i'm using a chord Mojo as DAC. Is the ADI a significant improvement in terms of sound quality?

I could get a used Violectric HPA 200 for around 500€ which i could add to the Mojo. May this be the better option?

I could also get a Violectric DAC V800 and the HPA 200 for around 1000€. Is this comparable to the Adi? Better or worse sound or just different signature?

I don't use things like equalizer and all the gimmicks the Adi offers. Is it still worth the money then or should i just stick with the mojo instead?

My source would be an Ipad with Amazon Music HD. Is that sufficient?

Headphones are Grado GS1000e and Inear Prophile 8.

Thanks for any responds.