[FullBlownEargasam]

Anyone have any thoughts on the A90 paired with the RME? I can not find anyone that has anything negative to say about the amp itself.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Can you clarify 0dB output ? Is that
1. ref +1 vol -1 , = 0.7v
2. ref auto and vol 0 =3.4v

I don't use auto ref. I'm just using 0 dB fixed output. I don't think it's critical.

 

[Dogmatrix]

I don't use auto ref. I'm just using 0 dB fixed output. I don't think it's critical.

I am just a little confused as to what 0dB fixed output is . Because output is a combination of reference level setting and volume setting . So if you are using a set reference level and 0db on the volume setting it is important to know which reference level .

 

[gimmeheadroom]

0 dB shouldn't depend on anything. How you get that to happen could depend on various settings. Again, I don't think it's critical and a lot of amps are happier overdriven a bit.

I'll have to check but as far as I know I have the default reference level (I don't remember wanting to change it) and the volume at 0 dB.

My reference level seems to be +7 dBu

 

[technobear]

Can you clarify 0dB output ? Is that
1. ref +1 vol -1 , = 0.7v
2. ref auto and vol 0 =3.4v

User Manual, page 36, section 19.2:

The ADI-2 DAC has two unbalanced analog outputs that can operate with levels up to +15.5
dBu (+13 dBu with Volume set to +2.5 dB). The short circuit protected, low impedance line
outputs are available as RCA jacks on the back of the unit.

To maintain an optimum level for devices connected to the analog outputs and to maximize the
dynamic range, the ADI-2 DAC internally uses hi-quality electronic switches, which realize a
hardware based Reference Level selection in steps of 6 dB over a range of 18 dB: -5 dBu, +1
dBu, +7 dBu and +13 dBu.

So when Auto Ref Level is engaged, the volume readout is always relative to +13 dBu (e.g. 0 dBr == +13 dBu) .

If you set a fixed reference level then 0 dBr will be relative to that fixed level.

For the XLR outputs, it is 6 dBu higher at +19 dBu.

The following section, 19.3, describes Auto Ref Level (with +19 dBu as the reference level):

To maintain an optimum level for devices connected to the analog outputs and to maximize the
dynamic range, the ADI-2 DAC internally uses hi-quality electronic switches, which realize a
hardware based Reference Level selection in steps of 6 dB over a range of 18 dB: +1 dBu, +7
dBu, +13 dBu and +19 dBu.

The analog outputs also feature a mechanism to set the reference level automatically. Auto Ref
Lev(el) maximizes the signal to noise ratio when using the Volume knob. It changes to the next
higher and lower reference level setting when the gain chosen via the Volume knob would suggest
to set a better fitting value, with optimized signal to noise ratio.

Example: Ref Lev is set to +19 dBu, Volume is turned down to -20 dB. The effective signal to
noise ratio at the XLR output is now 120 dB minus 20 dB = 100 dB (RMS unweighted). While it
is unlikely that any noise will be audible, changing the Ref Level to +1 dBu would need only a
Volume setting of -2 dB to achieve the same level or volume. The effective SNR then becomes
117 minus 2 = 115 dB (15 dB higher). Such settings are usually done manually by the user.
Auto Ref Lev takes over this task, working in both directions when turning Volume up or down.

Amazing what you can learn by reading the user manual.

dBu V
-11 0.218
-10 0.245
-9 0.275
-8 0.309
-7 0.346
-6 0.388
-5 0.436
-4 0.489
-3 0.549
-2 0.616
-1 0.691
0 0.775
1 0.870
2 0.976
3 1.095
4 1.228
5 1.378
6 1.546
7 1.735
8 1.947
9 2.184
10 2.451
11 2.750
12 3.085
13 3.462
14 3.884
15 4.358
16 4.890
17 5.487
18 6.156
19 6.907
20 7.750
21 8.696
22 9.757

 

[Progisus]

I am just a little confused as to what 0dB fixed output is . Because output is a combination of reference level setting and volume setting . So if you are using a set reference level and 0db on the volume setting it is important to know which reference level .

My previous post has a page from the manual for typical output setting.

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/rme-adi-2-dac-thread.868015/post-15993497

 

[Dogmatrix]

0 dB shouldn't depend on anything. How you get that to happen could depend on various settings. Again, I don't think it's critical and a lot of amps are happier overdriven a bit.

I'll have to check but as far as I know I have the default reference level (I don't remember wanting to change it) and the volume at 0 dB.

My reference level seems to be +7 dBu

Thanks mate and sorry for the kafuffle . At 1.7 volts that is indeed a good safe setting to recommend . My concern was that if we talk about output settings without referencing the reference setting a possible damaging scenario arises . Lets say someone has just bought a second-hand pro unit . Since this is the most active RME thread they come here looking for a recommended setting to connect their old amp . They read volume setting 0db recommended a number of times and take that advice . If the reference setting was set to auto or +24 by the previous owner they will be selecting a 12 volt line out . Depending on the amp that may be enough for the magic smoke to escape .

 

[Yorch Hernandez]

Those who have the rme adi, do you get the presets loaded in the eq? They don't appear to me, all the spaces appear as free, I followed the steps of youtube, but I do not get the presets loaded, to you if they appear?
I have the new version with ak4493 chip

 

[Slim1970]

Those who have the rme adi, do you get the presets loaded in the eq? They don't appear to me, all the spaces appear as free, I followed the steps of youtube, but I do not get the presets loaded, to you if they appear?

Once you make a preset, you have to save it to a slot. It’s better to have your preset slots named beforehand so when you‘re scrolling it makes it easy to find and save.

 

[Yorch Hernandez]

Once you make a preset, you have to save it to a slot. It’s better to have your preset slots named beforehand so when you‘re scrolling it makes it easy to find and save.

Thank you. In the youtube video 19 different presets already saved are displayed, those presets for different phones do not come loaded from manufacture?

 

[Slim1970]

Thank you. In the youtube video 19 different presets already saved are displayed, those presets for different phones do not come loaded from manufacture?

No, the preset slots have generic names on them. You have to overwrite them with the name of a headphone. At least that is what I do.

 

[KillerQ]

No, the preset slots have generic names on them. You have to overwrite them with the name of a headphone. At least that is what I do.

I didn’t even realize there were presets that were setup. I thought they were all blank flat slots for you to alter

 

[Yorch Hernandez]

No, the preset slots have generic names on them. You have to overwrite them with the name of a headphone. At least that is what I do.

I understand, when I watched that video, I thought I already had those preloaded eq presets as shown in the video. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[Yorch Hernandez]

I didn’t even realize there were presets that were setup. I thought they were all blank flat slots for you to alter

Do you see presets already setup? or also just flat free spaces?

 

[KillerQ]

Do you see presets already setup? or also just flat free spaces?

I haven’t looked. I just assumed they were blank slots