RME ADI-2 DAC Thread

[J Ottawa]

it’s the Pro Black Edition one. Doesn’t have the small Jack for IEMs.

so disappointed. Just dull and flat.
my Marantz literally wipes the floor with it

I hope as a DAC through my speakers it does better

I have a PRO BE FS. Funny thing that I cannot put my finger on: it kinda sounds better than my regular ADI-2 DAC FS. Just a feeling when I do listen to it.

 

[J Ottawa]

The designer said that the differences between the AKM rev 1 and rev 2 are inaudible. I have read claims that there is also no significant difference between AKM rev 2 and the ESS versions. But none of that really matters, because in audio, everybody says whatever he wants.

If you want to buy the RME and are concerned, you should not be. Matthias does not put out junk. There are annoyances but as far as sound quality goes, it is a lot of chipdac and a lot of function for the money.

I have an RME ESS and AKM 4493 units here in my different systems. It is very hard to tell them apart, if at all. The only difference I note is the brick wall filters which sounds different to my ears; I do not make use of it. I bought the ESS to hear it for myself and ended up keeping it. Many others have done the evaluations: indistinguishable is the bottom line. And, there is a difference with DSD to make note of: different functionality for DSD direct I believe.

 

[wagninger]

Try as I might to imagine, there was no impact to the sound quality of the RME ADI-2 DAC FS. But with my Macbook, RME + this battery pack I had a portable battery powered solution. Tonight the Modius (e) and Midgard are getting play time...as I type this.

if I ever see a guy on the train with this, I will ask if that’s you..

 

[J Ottawa]

if I ever see a guy on the train with this, I will ask if that’s you..

Not that "kind" of portable. LoL. More like "transportable"

 

[Simon Patten]

Looks even lower cost now.
https://www.amazon.ca/TalentCell-LiFePO4-Battery-Rechargeable-Phosphate/dp/B07YRZYLKV

That's a useful looking piece of kit. How long does the ADI-2 run on it?

 

[J Ottawa]

That's a useful looking piece of kit. How long does the ADI-2 run on it?

A LONG time. I’ve never gotten to the point where it was completely drained during a listening session.

 

[Simon Patten]

A LONG time. I’ve never gotten to the point where it was completely drained during a listening session.

Thanks, I've been considering a battery pack like that and it having 12v and 9v as well as 5v is very handy. Being able to make my ADI-2 semi-portable is an attractive idea as I love the sound it makes.

 

[J Ottawa]

Thanks, I've been considering a battery pack like that and it having 12v and 9v as well as 5v is very handy. Being able to make my ADI-2 semi-portable is an attractive idea as I love the sound it makes.

It's not overly expensive and I use it to charge items via USB as well, so yes, very flexible and worth the cost. A value item and RME recommended!

 

[Simon Patten]

I know that discussing cables changing the sound is almost sure to cause an argument but I want to tell you about the Supra Excalibur USB cable.

I kept hearing about it and had good experiences with headphone and IEM cables improving the sound so, having settled on a nice system that I really enjoy (ADI-2 DAC FS and Hifiman Edition XS cans, in case you can't see my signature), I decided to splash out on one to round it off. I was using a bog standard USB cable from Amazon and in all honesty couldn't believe that changing it would do much but it was worth a try and I was surprised at how much difference it actually made.

The ADI-2 is a lovely sounding device and I was more than happy with it but adding this cable took it to a whole new level. Everything suddenly sounded clearer, cleaner, more real, there's so much more 'air' and width and depth. Listening to live recordings I actually feel as if I'm there and the smile I often have when enjoying music turned into a full-on grin. It is quite remarkable what this cable does to a system and I just want to encourage those of you with an open mind to consider trying it as it has been a revelation for me.

If you think I'm talking nonsense or falling for the hype that's fine, save your money, but if you want to make a relatively cheap upgrade to your system that will really surprise you, give one of these a try, I'm sure you'd be able to return it if you're not satisfied but I love this cable and consider it well worth the money. Supra seem to add a touch of magic to their cables and I am now a big fan and have ordered one of their optical cables to see how much difference that can make.

Please don't argue with me about this, I'm not trying to force anyone to try it and have no connection to the company, I just want to pass on this discovery and hope to share the surprise and pleasure that it is giving me.

 

[iFi audio]

It's not overly expensive and I use it to charge items via USB as well, so yes, very flexible and worth the cost. A value item and RME recommended!

This item is a definite order for me just as soon as the holidays are over! I also want to see for myself what differences reveal themselves using a unit like this!

Cheers!!

 

[iFi audio]

I know that discussing cables changing the sound is almost sure to cause an argument but I want to tell you about the Supra Excalibur USB cable.

I kept hearing about it and had good experiences with headphone and IEM cables improving the sound so, having settled on a nice system that I really enjoy (ADI-2 DAC FS and Hifiman Edition XS cans, in case you can't see my signature), I decided to splash out on one to round it off. I was using a bog standard USB cable from Amazon and in all honesty couldn't believe that changing it would do much but it was worth a try and I was surprised at how much difference it actually made.

The ADI-2 is a lovely sounding device and I was more than happy with it but adding this cable took it to a whole new level. Everything suddenly sounded clearer, cleaner, more real, there's so much more 'air' and width and depth. Listening to live recordings I actually feel as if I'm there and the smile I often have when enjoying music turned into a full-on grin. It is quite remarkable what this cable does to a system and I just want to encourage those of you with an open mind to consider trying it as it has been a revelation for me.

If you think I'm talking nonsense or falling for the hype that's fine, save your money, but if you want to make a relatively cheap upgrade to your system that will really surprise you, give one of these a try, I'm sure you'd be able to return it if you're not satisfied but I love this cable and consider it well worth the money. Supra seem to add a touch of magic to their cables and I am now a big fan and have ordered one of their optical cables to see how much difference that can make.

Please don't argue with me about this, I'm not trying to force anyone to try it and have no connection to the company, I just want to pass on this discovery and hope to share the surprise and pleasure that it is giving me.

I have very often recommended even the Supra Cable having heard the difference it brought to my ears! Now there is a ton more talk about the Excalibur.

Knowing how much I recommend the lower version as a starting point, has made me want to try the Excalibur even more. After the Holidays I am sure to order one as I am quite familiar with what the lower version has brought to me and my listening!

Cheers!!

 

[J Ottawa]

This item is a definite order for me just as soon as the holidays are over! I also want to see for myself what differences reveal themselves using a unit like this!

Cheers!!

I have heard no difference.

 

[iFi audio]

I have heard no difference.

I am sorry, I confused what you said about sound, my bad! I understand it now after re-reading it!

Cheers!!

 

[Simon Patten]

Knowing how much I recommend the lower version as a starting point, has made me want to try the Excalibur even more. After the Holidays I am sure to order one as I am quite familiar with what the lower version has brought to me and my listening!

I certainly recommend it, I am amazed at the difference it made. Let us know what you think.

 

[IXOYE]

I know that discussing cables changing the sound is almost sure to cause an argument but I want to tell you about the Supra Excalibur USB cable.

I kept hearing about it and had good experiences with headphone and IEM cables improving the sound so, having settled on a nice system that I really enjoy (ADI-2 DAC FS and Hifiman Edition XS cans, in case you can't see my signature), I decided to splash out on one to round it off. I was using a bog standard USB cable from Amazon and in all honesty couldn't believe that changing it would do much but it was worth a try and I was surprised at how much difference it actually made.

The ADI-2 is a lovely sounding device and I was more than happy with it but adding this cable took it to a whole new level. Everything suddenly sounded clearer, cleaner, more real, there's so much more 'air' and width and depth. Listening to live recordings I actually feel as if I'm there and the smile I often have when enjoying music turned into a full-on grin. It is quite remarkable what this cable does to a system and I just want to encourage those of you with an open mind to consider trying it as it has been a revelation for me.

If you think I'm talking nonsense or falling for the hype that's fine, save your money, but if you want to make a relatively cheap upgrade to your system that will really surprise you, give one of these a try, I'm sure you'd be able to return it if you're not satisfied but I love this cable and consider it well worth the money. Supra seem to add a touch of magic to their cables and I am now a big fan and have ordered one of their optical cables to see how much difference that can make.

Please don't argue with me about this, I'm not trying to force anyone to try it and have no connection to the company, I just want to pass on this discovery and hope to share the surprise and pleasure that it is giving me.

Nice to hear that you heard a difference with the Excalibur, I didn't myself, but I'm an old man, and I thought it was too stiff and hard so I sold it and bought one that was easier to handle.
The only gadget I can imagine I can hear a difference with is the iFi Silencer+, it could be my brain that's fools me but I think I perceive a blacker background with it, I've also tried an iFi iPower X adapter, but I couldn't 't hear any difference compared to the adapter that came with the RME so I sold it, but I kept the iFi Silencer.