[Hellraiser86]

Would you say that you can hear much difference between the two in terms of IEM listening in general? Like, do you find Hugo2 detracts from the music more than the ‘inky-black’ background in the ADI-2? Or is it negligible?

I’ve got a Hugo2 currently (briefly had a ADI-2 before but didn’t have my IEMs then)... but almost feel I don’t need it for just IEMs.

Got me thinking whether I could sell the Hugo2 and replace with an ADI-2 again and use the residual funds for something else (new headphones etc). This would be on the proviso that chasing the black background is worth it.

Third option is I have neither the Hugo2 nor ADI-2 and just use the IEMs with my portable setup (NW-ZX2). Hmm..

Soundwise I really prefer the Hugo with my IEM‘s (for my Headphones I mostly prefer the ADI). But the hiss is really audible with my Solaris and I need to use an ifi IEMatch.
The quality of both is on the same level. It’s more of a decision in taste if you can deal with the hiss.

 

[Leviathant]

Soundwise I really prefer the Hugo with my IEM‘s (for my Headphones I mostly prefer the ADI). But the hiss is really audible with my Solaris and I need to use an ifi IEMatch.
The quality of both is on the same level. It’s more of a decision in taste if you can deal with the hiss.

Thanks. I was listening to my Hugo2 and U12t IEMs again last night. They really do sound great together. So clean, detailed and musical. Not going to mess with that combo, other than maybe add a small tube hybrid amp to add a bit of colouration from time to time perhaps.

 

[Collusion[FIN]]

There seems to be a new revision of the ADI-2 DAC: https://www.rme-audio.de/adi-2-dac.html

The new version incorporates the newer AK4493 dac chip from AKM and boasts with slightly better specifications (see them below). Also, the remote controller has been updated and it now has more buttons. No idea at this point when is this newer revision going to roll out, or is it already happening.

Spoiler

NEW SPECIFICATIONS
Output level switchable +19 dBu, +13 dBu, +7 dBu, +1 dBu @ 0 dBFS
Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) @ +7/+13/+19 dBu: 120 dB RMS unweighted, 123 dBA
Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) @ +1 dBu: 117 dB RMS unweighted, 120 dBA
Frequency response @ 44.1 kHz, -0.1 dB: 0 Hz – 20.2 kHz
Frequency response @ 96 kHz, -0.5 dB: 0 Hz – 44.9 kHz
Frequency response @ 192 kHz, -1 dB: 0 Hz – 88 kHz
Frequency response @ 384 kHz, -1 dB: 0 Hz – 115 kHz
Frequency response @ 768 kHz, -3 dB: 0 Hz – 109 kHz
THD @ 0 dBFS: < -120 dB, 0.0001 %
THD+N @ 0 dBFS: -117 dB, 0.00014 %
THD @ -3 dBFS: -116 dB, 0.00016 %
Channel separation: > 120 dB
Output impedance: 200 Ohm balanced, 100 Ohm unbalanced


OLD SPECIFICATIONS
Output level switchable +19 dBu, +13 dBu, +7 dBu, +1 dBu @ 0 dBFS
• Signal to Noise ratio (SNR) @ +7/+13/+19 dBu: 117 dB RMS unweighted, 120 dBA
• Signal to Noise ratio (SNR) @ +1 dBu: 115,4 dB RMS unweighted, 118,9 dBA
• Frequency response @ 44.1 kHz, -0.1 dB: 0 Hz – 20.2 kHz
• Frequency response @ 96 kHz, -0.5 dB: 0 Hz – 44.9 kHz
• Frequency response @ 192 kHz, -1 dB: 0 Hz – 88 kHz
• Frequency response @ 384 kHz, -1 dB: 0 Hz – 115 kHz
• Frequency response @ 768 kHz, -3 dB: 0 Hz – 109 kHz
• THD @ -1 dBFS: -112 dB, 0.00025 %
• THD+N @ -1 dBFS: -110 dB, 0.00032 %
• THD @ -3 dBFS: -116 dB, 0.00016 %
• Channel separation: > 120 dB
• Output impedance: 200 Ohm balanced, 100 Ohm unbalanced

 

[MagnusH]

Yes, just read about it, the sonic differences are extremely subtle though from what I can read, so not worth it if you already got the ADI-2. I think the main reason was that they improved the support for custom remotes, and wanted a physical remote that better match the software, and also for selling purposes (the 4493 is a newer chip after all).

Judging from reviews and forum talk, this DAC has done very well, and this is a way to increase its lifespan. For us who already have the old version, this is good news since we will continue to get firmware updates and improvements for many years to come.

 

[Cat Music]

The point is now the price ... more expensive insurance

 

[captblaze]

The point is now the price ... more expensive insurance

i'll add another variable age of the listener.

at my age my ears aren't getting any better, and my wallet cant keep up either. the 4490 version will do until it no longer processes 1's and 0's

 

[makan]

I wonder if we would be able to purchase the new remote separately?

 

[wormsdriver]

I wonder if we would be able to purchase the new remote separately?

I believe it is (or will be?)

Edit: (Taken from the RME adi-2 product page)
"Note for owners of the previous remote: the new MRC is also available separately as an accessory. It can be used with all ADI-2 DACs, even older ones, if they are equipped with the latest firmware (at least version FPGA 27, DSP 33)."

 

[Collusion[FIN]]

It seems the new revision of ADI-2 DAC is already available from Thomann.de:

https://m.thomann.de/gb/rme_adi_2_dac_fs.htm

 

[greyscale75]

Not available to ship to USA. Hope to purchase one in the USA soon.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

I just bought one Friday. Should be here in a day or two

 

[Gus141]

Anyone using an adapter to send AES/EBU into the coax input as described in the manual? I can’t find an XLR-to-RCA adapter with the pinout the manual describes. Does anyone have a link where I could buy one?

I might move up to the Pro fs since its breakout cable offers a true XLR connector for AES/EBU.

 

[mhamel]

Anyone using an adapter to send AES/EBU into the coax input as described in the manual? I can’t find an XLR-to-RCA adapter with the pinout the manual describes. Does anyone have a link where I could buy one?

Gus,

Check out https://www.redco.com/ - they do custom cables for the pro audio market. I had them make an RCA->XLR adapter cable for my Dangerous Convert-2 DAC using Mogami cable. Reasonable pricing, too.

-Mike

 

[Gus141]

Gus,

Check out https://www.redco.com/ - they do custom cables for the pro audio market. I had them make an RCA->XLR adapter cable for my Dangerous Convert-2 DAC using Mogami cable. Reasonable pricing, too.

-Mike

Awesome, thanks Mike! I’ll check them out.

Cheers,
Gus

 

[bryceu]

Cross-posting this here in case anyone is interested:

"For those who had been asking about RME ADI-2 DAC AMP portion vs THX 887, after some further blind testing + listening sessions + comparing:
The performance/difference between the two is easily identifiable.

• The RME has a tighter stage and more forward delivery. The 887 has a larger, wider, more expansive, stage that makes the amp feel more powerful. To summarize this thought; Powerful because the brain is hearing the same volume from a source that feels further away, which equates to a more powerful source creating the sound.
• The RME has more engaging mids. My biggest complaint about the 887 is the dull mids, I believe this to be a result of the bigger stage and the mids feeling further away. The mids of the 887 also possess less body than those from the RME AMP. This can be translated as the 887 is actually cleaner, or alternatively, it's drier in the mids.
• The RME has more prominent bass, while the 887 is more precise/tight. This again can make the 887 feel dry, now in the bass, because it is simply so clean. I don't think the bass performance of the RME is bad on its own measure, but the 887 is simply faster and cleaner.
• The 887 does separation and layering better than the RME, easily. The RME can feel congested at times while the 887 feels open, airy, and individual instruments are easier to pick out.
• The 887 emphasizes treble better than the RME, not by increased volume/brightness, but rather via air and speed.
• Both amps offer excellent detail and resolution, the RME pushing details a little more forward (think Focal Elex/Clear), with the 887 favoring dynamic range due to its larger stage and ability to properly place instruments/sounds further away from the listener (think ZMF Auteur, HD800s).

Overall the RME feels like the more engaging amp, and the 887 feels like the more technically capable.

All listening/testing was done with ZMF Verite Cocobolo + Verite lambskin pads."