Oh, I didn't realize that. Now I just need to decide if the balanced headphone compatibility on the Pro version is worth an extra $1K+. Dang. Do you know if anyone has ever compared the two amps, one in unbalanced and the other balanced? I'm new to hi-fi audio gear, and really don't know what to expect.
RME ADI-2 DAC Thread
- Thread starter NickedWicked
- Start date
Oh, I didn't realize that. Now I just need to decide if the balanced headphone compatibility on the Pro version is worth an extra $1K+. Dang. Do you know if anyone has ever compared the two amps, one in unbalanced and the other balanced? I'm new to hi-fi audio gear, and really don't know what to expect.
The non pro has better audiophile features. Like the nos filter that can smooth out peaky headphones and a dark mode if you want to disable the display while playing. It also measures better.
For that extra money for the pro you could get a separate amp and connect them with a xlr cable something like topping a90 measures better then the adi amp section
In the audio world, pro means pro its analytical for professionals not to enjoy music its to creat music for others to enjoy
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I am using the RME with Quicksilver headphone amp and it is an awesome combo..... I know its not balanced , but it is a sweet sounding amp. Its a single ended triode , sweet EL84 sound ... best $1000 I have spent in a while.
Oooo this sounds like a nice combo I did not think of. Anyone here have this combo? I know the general consensus on here is that not many amps that we have tried made enough of an improvement to be worth it.
I just ordered my second RME ADI-2 Dac,
don't know yet what to do with it
but these days the devices sells at 945€,
incredible cheep especially considering the performance.
don't know yet what to do with it
but these days the devices sells at 945€,
incredible cheep especially considering the performance.
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Crazeenick
Head-Fier
Has anyone tried using a Chord MScaler with the RME ADI-2 DAC? Do they work well together? What sort of sound improvement did you get? How did you connect the two? - using BNC/RCA or TOSLINK optical link?
Yorch Hernandez
New Head-Fier
Hi everyone, I've been following this post, I hope someone can help me.
Someone has used RME as a dac connected by XLR or RCA to a preamp or amplifier?
I've read a lot about your headphone amplifier output, but not for setting up shelf or floor speakers.
I plan to use it with this Emotiva (XPA-2 gen3 Amplifier, XSP-1 gen2 preamp) plus Bowers and Wilkins CM10 S2 equipment. connecting it to the preamp emotive by XLR.
Some comments mention that in hearing aids they sound flat, or with little bass stroke, or soft and boring.
Do you think that in a system like mio get authority and kick at low frequencies mainly on the kick drum?
If low frequency is not enough, can I significantly increase them with EQ and tone control?
I would appreciate and appreciate your thoughts.
If someone already used the dac that way.
Someone has used RME as a dac connected by XLR or RCA to a preamp or amplifier?
I've read a lot about your headphone amplifier output, but not for setting up shelf or floor speakers.
I plan to use it with this Emotiva (XPA-2 gen3 Amplifier, XSP-1 gen2 preamp) plus Bowers and Wilkins CM10 S2 equipment. connecting it to the preamp emotive by XLR.
Some comments mention that in hearing aids they sound flat, or with little bass stroke, or soft and boring.
Do you think that in a system like mio get authority and kick at low frequencies mainly on the kick drum?
If low frequency is not enough, can I significantly increase them with EQ and tone control?
I would appreciate and appreciate your thoughts.
If someone already used the dac that way.
You can tweak the RME in many ways so lack of bass wont be an issue. Customization is one of the biggest strengths of the RME.
RME was my first step into streaming bought it a little over a month ago and have it connected to a Auralic Aries. I need to figure out which type of cable (USB or coax) I would like to invest a little money in either USB or coax it will be going between streamer and dac. Could some one tell me which one they prefer and why. I'm using the stock USB that came with RME and a JPS Labs superconductor first generation from1995. I like both but there different coax is more layed back and natural USB maybe a little edgy but can be solved with EQ, I find USB a little more detailed.Can USB be made to sound layed back/analog like the coax does in my system and keep the detail.
Got my Focal Shape 65 monitors today. Wow! Who would have thought that a German and a couple of French dudes can work so well together! Spectacular detail and imaging, amazing precision. I am extremely happy with the combo. The only issue is these don't have gain control and I have to use them at -50 dBu. Should I reduce the DAC output maybe? I listen headphones at much higher levels, around -20 dBu, but there the speakers would simply ruin my hairdo 
gimmeheadroom
Headphoneus Supremus
The balanced headamp possibility is not the reason it costs more (should not be 1K more, btw).. the Pro is also an ADC.
Yes, many people run the RME into a separate amp. I don't like the way Sennheisers sound out of the RME so a separate amp is good.
I think people who buy RME products do not believe in cables. I doubt you can run most streamers into a DAC over USB. You're going to need coax, optical, etc.
Gemmeheadroom, my streamer has USB and coax out as well as others but I will only be using the 2 mentioned. I respect your views but do not agree that all people that buy RME do not believe in cables. There has to be someone that prefers one or the other. I hear a difference between the 2. Coax comes across more natural but wondering if that can be achieved with USB or does USB brings out more detail due to what I'm hearing.
gimmeheadroom
Headphoneus Supremus
Edited; ok, I see what it is now. Coax and optical s/pdif are rated to 24/192. If you want high rate PCM or DSD it may work with those but USB would be better.
I still don't see a reason for either one to be better or worse when used within the rated speeds.
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Wladimir
100+ Head-Fier
....Just today unpacked ADI-2 DAC and good lord, this is a gift from music-heaven. To anyone reading this and still hesitating whether to buy, just don't and frickin go for it. Worth every penny, even when it costs 3.5x of my headphones 
Been through some mid-fi/chi-fi stuff, but this is no match 
Been through some mid-fi/chi-fi stuff, but this is no match Worth every penny: second hand - that's almost theft.
Most sellers probably also ship within Europe.
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