RME ADI-2 DAC Thread

[jamca]

I noticed that if I EQ directly from the RME vs a software (eqMac) the difference is night and day. Sounds much better from the dac. Any ideas as to why is that?

This is true. Rme has great eq with no distortion. I confirm this, however I don’t know the technical explanation…

 

[antanast]

This is true. Rme has great eq with no distortion. I confirm this, however I don’t know the technical explanation…

Maybe someone with tech background might explain this to us but in any case, kudos to RME

 

[IXOYE]

I noticed that if I EQ directly from the RME vs a software (eqMac) the difference is night and day. Sounds much better from the dac. Any ideas as to why is that?

I noticed the same thing, the sound became cleaner with less background noise (darker). the difference was clearly audible.

 

[evhvis]

I noticed that if I EQ directly from the RME vs a software (eqMac) the difference is night and day. Sounds much better from the dac. Any ideas as to why is that?

EQ is a potentially destructive process and in the digital domain it involves changing the sample levels to alter the frequency. If the EQ isn't performed with enough precision then it will leave you with audible artifacts. To EQ 20hz then you need to alter 50ms worth of samples which means you must alter approx. 2205 samples at 44.1khz while not impacting other frequencies. At the same 44.1khz the 11025hz lives in approx.. 4 samples and will be within the same 2205 samples you are altering when applying EQ at 20hz so if the precision is too low then both frequencies will be impacted even though you are just trying to EQ 20hz you can get alterations to other frequencies as well.

My impression is that the RME EQ is very well implemented. It is possible that the software EQs are made with too low precision math or not correct in their implementation.

 

[antanast]

EQ is a potentially destructive process and in the digital domain it involves changing the sample levels to alter the frequency. If the EQ isn't performed with enough precision then it will leave you with audible artifacts. To EQ 20hz then you need to alter 50ms worth of samples which means you must alter 2205 samples at 44.1khz while not impacting other frequencies. At the same 44.1khz the 11025hz lives in 4 samples and will be within the same 2205 samples you are altering when applying EQ at 20hz so if the precision is too low then both frequencies will be impacted even though you are just trying to EQ 20hz you can get alterations to other frequencies as well.

My impression is that the RME EQ is very well implemented. It is possible that the software EQs are made with too low precision math or not correct in their implementation.

Finally the tech answer we all needed Thanks for sharing this!

 

[Nellie75]

Amazon is now selling ADI-2 DAC for $1039.00. I just bought an open box last week for $1099. The open box I got is in nice shape but has no manual. It is the AKM version.

Should I do my free exchange and save $60, get the manual but probably is an ESS chip?

1st world problems I know.

 

[OCC7N]

Amazon is now selling ADI-2 DAC for $1039.00. I just bought an open box last week for $1099. The open box I got is in nice shape but has no manual. It is the AKM version.

Should I do my free exchange and save $60, get the manual but probably is an ESS chip?

1st world problems I know.

Manual is free/digital....get the AKM. I have the ESS though, but I would get the AKM

 

[Nellie75]

Should coaxial input (CD player) be 10dB louder than USB and Optical (streaming)?

It’s funny because when I use my Schiit Modi DAC instead of the RME, it’s the opposite, USB is noticeably louder than coaxial.

 

[Nellie75]

Manual is free/digital....get the AKM. I have the ESS though, but I would get the AKM

Or return the open box to Amazon and give the seller a “bonus” and put the brand new ESS version in the box instead. That would save me $60.

 

[OCC7N]

Or return the open box to Amazon and give the seller a “bonus” and put the brand new ESS version in the box instead. That would save me $60.

I did not pay that much for my adi2, I think around 500 dollars brand new. I dont think it is near 1000dollars worth(ESS) even brand new. Sorry ... I would recommend you something in iFi instead. Dont get me wrong RME sound very clean in the highs, but I would get another dac.

 

[Nellie75]

I did not pay that much for my adi2, I think around 500 dollars brand new. I dont think it is near 1000dollars worth(ESS) even brand new. Sorry ... I would recommend you something in iFi instead. Dont get me wrong RME sound very clean in the highs, but I would get another dac.

Where do you get an Adi-2 for $500? New they are $1200 and sell used here for $750.

there is no dac with the features I want other than the RME. I need channel balance and since I use iOS and not a PC, I like have custom ParaEQ for my headphones and loudspeakers. Don’t know any dac that does that.

 

[OCC7N]

Where do you get an Adi-2 for $500? New they are $1200 and sell used here for $750.

there is no dac with the features I want other than the RME. I need channel balance and since I use iOS and not a PC, I like have custom ParaEQ for my headphones and loudspeakers. Don’t know any dac that does that.

I got it from a special sale/deal. I wish I could make my recordings this month so they can be available for people to hear them(A/B)

My ADI-2(ESS) sounds very rounded off = too smooth in the lows. Only thing I admire is the highs on this Dac, the rest is boring.

 

[DarginMahkum]

As noted many times before, there's absolutely zero disadvantage in using ESS versions. It is nothing more than a biased rumor with no empirical / objective data to support the claims. Let's not support spreading false information.

Also, a DACs job is to reproduce the original signal, not reproduce it with some altered form or with artefacts that makes it deviate from the original signal in an audible way. If you prefer something else and / or you need to compansate issues in your transducers (HPs or speakers), the right way to do it is using an EQ or some amplifier like with tubes that injects deviations from the original signal. If a DAC alters the signal in an audible way, then it is a DAC that is not technically good, especially today when the technology to reach this level of refinement is much easier to achieve.

This is what a professional grade equipment targets. ADI-2 is a pro grade equipment hijacked by audiophiles, so it is just normal that it does not try to appeal to "but I need more boom boom to enjoy my music with no EQ" community.

 

[OCC7N]

As noted many times before, there's absolutely zero disadvantage in using ESS versions. It is nothing more than a biased rumor with no empirical / objective data to support the claims. Let's not support spreading false information.

Also, a DACs job is to reproduce the original signal, not reproduce it with some altered form or with artefacts that makes it deviate from the original signal in an audible way. If you prefer something else and / or you need to compansate issues in your transducers (HPs or speakers), the right way to do it is using an EQ or some amplifier like with tubes that injects deviations from the original signal. If a DAC alters the signal in an audible way, then it is a DAC that is not technically good, especially today when the technology to reach this level of refinement is much easier to achieve.

This is what a professional grade equipment targets. ADI-2 is a pro grade equipment hijacked by audiophiles, so it is just normal that it does not try to appeal to "but I need more boom boom to enjoy my music with no EQ" community.

Dude Im not spreading any misinformation. I have NEVER listened to the AKM version but would still get it over my ESS. Stop being so woke…

If they sound the same then the AKM version is also the same as I described my ESS, boring, to smooth lows.

 

[IXOYE]

Dude Im not spreading any misinformation. I have NEVER listened to the AKM version but would still get it over my ESS. Stop being so woke…

If they sound the same then the AKM version is also the same as I described my ESS, boring, to smooth lows.

Even RME themselves have said that there is no audible difference between the chips, if there is a difference it is out of the human audible range.