RME ADI-2 DAC Thread

[mixman]

What do you exactly mean by 'balancing the output on the RME' my friend?

How do you balance the output of the RME just right with the amp? Is there a recommended Line Out volume for the RME when running as a DAC only?

What you do is keep the RME to about -15 to -24 dB of output any more seems to overload the THX. Also keep the THX in middle gain position depending on headphone. You get more air and less distortion that way. In general I would say just play with the output on the RME to balance out your sound. Also watch the meters too, just don’t crank it up.

 

[technobear]

I'd like to hear a little more slam/punch/attach from this combo. Although the Z1R are supposed to be easy to drive, I am thinking that adding an Amp to the mix will help with the slam/punch/attack.

Use the 'SD Sharp' filter and add a little bass boost centred around 150 Hz.

 

[betula]

What you do is keep the RME to about -15 to -24 dB of output any more seems to overload the THX. Also keep the THX in middle gain position depending on headphone. You get more air and less distortion that way. In general I would say just play with the output on the RME to balance out your sound. Also watch the meters too, just don’t crank it up.

THX SE out connected to RME via balanced only brings distortion versus RME SE out only. In a few days I will check back with a balanced headphone cable to see if it makes any difference.

 

[mixman]

THX SE out connected to RME via balanced only brings distortion versus RME SE out only. In a few days I will check back with a balanced headphone cable to see if it makes any difference.

I am only using balanced all the way through. But as far as the THX goes I inderstand it is an SE only amp throughout with a balanced connection with extra power.

 

[CaptainFantastic]

What you do is keep the RME to about -15 to -24 dB of output any more seems to overload the THX. Also keep the THX in middle gain position depending on headphone. You get more air and less distortion that way. In general I would say just play with the output on the RME to balance out your sound. Also watch the meters too, just don’t crank it up.

Thanks, I will be using it with a tube amp, the Woo Audio WA3, so this is good to know.

 

[silvahr]

THX SE out connected to RME via balanced only brings distortion versus RME SE out only. In a few days I will check back with a balanced headphone cable to see if it makes any difference.

I’m eager to read your impressions although I believe you won’t change your idea.

 

[betula]

I’m eager to read your impressions although I believe you won’t change your idea.

I have a feeling I won't, yet I am curious enough to spend £400 on this experiment. (with cables)

I think if you want a significantly better amp performance you need to spend over 1K. Also, amps most of the time just satisfy your preferred sound coloration. After trying many combos I think I prefer a clear, detailed and neutral sound presentation and prefer to hear the tuning of the headphone instead.

 

[silvahr]

I have a feeling I won't, yet I am curious enough to spend £400 on this experiment. (£300 THX 789, £40 balanced interconnect cables, £90 balanced headphone cables)

I think if you want a significantly better amp performance you need to spend over 1K. Also, amps most of the time just satisfy your preferred sound coloration. After trying many combos I think I prefer a clear, detailed and neutral sound presentation and prefer to hear the tuning of the headphone instead.

Just like me. I had Violectric V100 twice (bought - sold - regret - bought another one - sold and I’m ok with that). When I had Chord Hugo 2 I tried using V100 with it since was (is) an amplifier I really like.
The only thing I got was a high level of distortion. And the V100 is a good amplifier like all Lake People amplifiers.
I was using Aeon Flow Open that time.
With good DAC/Amp like ADI-2 you need great amplifiers to get better sound quality. And great amplifiers aren’t cheap.

 

[betula]

Just like me. I had Violectric V100 twice (bought - sold - regret - bought another one - sold and I’m ok with that). When I had Chord Hugo 2 I tried using V100 with it since was (is) an amplifier I really like.
The only thing I got was a high level of distortion. And the V100 is a good amplifier like all Lake People amplifiers.
I was using Aeon Flow Open that time.
With good DAC/Amp like ADI-2 you need great amplifiers to get better sound quality. And great amplifiers aren’t cheap.

Correct. To my experience if you want 'better' sound out of the RME you need at least 2K+ amps.

 

[silvahr]

Now I have ADI-2 and Audeze LCD-2c and I really don’t need any amplifier. They have great synergy.

 

[betula]

Now I have ADI-2 and Audeze LCD-2c and I really don’t need any amplifier. They have great synergy.

You don't need an amplifier. This combo is one of the best value for money. Audio doesn't get much better than this, unless you have a few more thousands to spend.

 

[silvahr]

You don't need an amplifier. This combo is one of the best value for money. Audio doesn't get much better than this, unless you have a few more thousands to spend.

100% with you!! I stopped thinking in something more fancy like Chord TT2. I even stopped thinking in Chord Hugo 2 again because I really liked it.
ADI-2 does a fantastic job with Audeze and then I plug my Xelento and the fantastic experience remains without hiss and other things.
ADI-2 is without a question a jack of all trades and master of all.

 

[mixman]

Correct. To my experience if you want 'better' sound out of the RME you need at least 2K+ amps.

The problem with the RME amp is it has a flat presentation with not much air and separation between instruments. Tonally it is a good amp. It also has good detail, not great.

 

[betula]

100% with you!! I stopped thinking in something more fancy like Chord TT2. I even stopped thinking in Chord Hugo 2 again because I really liked it.
ADI-2 does a fantastic job with Audeze and then I plug my Xelento and the fantastic experience remains without hiss and other things.
ADI-2 is without a question a jack of all trades and master of all.

True. Yes, the Hugo2 or even the TT2 offer a more lifelike experience, but on what price? The RME is extremely detailed, offering an unmatched insight to the music at this price range with awesome details. RME-ADI2 is a killer for its price.

 

[darmccombs]

The problem with the RME amp is it has a flat presentation with not much air and separation between instruments. Tonally it is a good amp. It also has good detail, not great.

Exactly. That is what I'm trying to improve with an external amp priced at less than $1000.

I'm hoping to get some thoughts on this, from folks with experience with other amps.

No offense Betula, but if you aren't setting the RME output correctly, and are overloading the external amp, its hard to take your comparisons seriously. Saying you need to spend $2k, with out mentioning what amps you've tried - with correct setup - comes off as fanboy-ish). I have 2 of these RME, so I don't need to be sold on the RME. I do appreciate your enthusiasm though!!!