gimmeheadroom
Headphoneus Supremus
It has balanced XLR outputs.
RME ADI-2 DAC Thread
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It has balanced XLR outputs.
paulybatz
Headphoneus Supremus
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Not true balanced phones, I know that
Pro is
Pro is
but rear XLR ports are fully balanced, right?
gimmeheadroom
Headphoneus Supremus
They're balanced. As far as I know balanced comes in only one flavor. Either it's balanced or not. It is not a matter of degree.
Dogmatrix
Headphoneus Supremus
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If I am reading the manual correctly the xlr outputs on pro and dac models are the same and both balanced .
The pro model uses one dac chip for the rear xlr and se outputs as does the dac model . In the pro model however a second dac chip and amplifier is used to create an independent headphone output , this can be used to allow two headphones to be driven or balanced headphones .
The RME ADI2 is a very good DAC(amp). Gives you a glimpse of high-end sound for the fraction of the money. Clear, detailed, neutral. I was somewhat surprised about the smoothness. After reading comments about 'studio sound', 'mastering equipment', 'poor amp section' I was slightly worried that the sound will be boring, maybe too clean and clinical, too sterile lacking the enjoyment factor.
I have to say the RME to me is a pleasant surprise. Yes it is neutral and quite transparent, yes it is uncoloured, but it is not boring at all and while accurate it is not sharp or clinical at all. I was really surprised about the smoothness. But with that pleasant smoothness it still maintains clarity and has enough dynamism.
Bargain audio equipment for the price, that is for sure. Not surprised it is sold out from almost all the UK shops.
It is a perfect pairing with headphones who already have a 'great personality' like the Audeze LCD2C.
I have to say the RME to me is a pleasant surprise. Yes it is neutral and quite transparent, yes it is uncoloured, but it is not boring at all and while accurate it is not sharp or clinical at all. I was really surprised about the smoothness. But with that pleasant smoothness it still maintains clarity and has enough dynamism.
Bargain audio equipment for the price, that is for sure. Not surprised it is sold out from almost all the UK shops.
It is a perfect pairing with headphones who already have a 'great personality' like the Audeze LCD2C.
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Thank you for your thoughts. I own the RME ADI-2 and have been toying with the idea of upgrading to a TT2 after hearing it in an audiophile shop. You have the reverse the situation... owned the TT2 for a long time, now go to experience the ADI-2. What are your thoughts there? How much of a step down is it TT2 to ADI-2? Playing around with percentages, 2%, 5%, 10%?
The difference is obvious and undeniable. We are talking about £800 versus £4000. Diminishing return kicks in hard over 1K. The TT2 is immediately and obviously better, but whether it is worth the price for you is extremely subjective.
High-end gear manufacturers to my experience work on achieving the most lifelike sound. The TT2 is much more lifelike when it comes to vocals or instruments. You feel more like you were there at the time of the recording. But at the same time the RME is very enjoyable as well, as a music (re)playing device. The realism factor isn't there, but with electronic or modern music it is not needed as much as it is with classical or jazz.
If you force me to give you percentages and numbers I would say the RME gives 60% of what the TT2 offers. At least from my individual enjoyment factor.
Whether the extra £3200 is worth for you depends on your wallet, your music genre preference, your aim and priorities in life and countless other factors...
The ADI2 is a fabulous piece of kit for £800. Competes with some of the £2K offerings in my experience. The TT2 is a high-end luxury product. It is obviously much better than the RME when it comes to recreating the surroundings of the recording, but whether the difference is worth 3 grands to you is extremely personal.
Still a huge fan of my ADI-2 DAC almost a year later. I compared the RME's amp to an SMSL SP200 (THX) and a Violectric V280 here:
I'm hoping somebody here might be able answer a question I have:
If I connect a Sony WM1A/Z to an ADI 2 Dac using the usb OTG adapter, will the ADI 2 Dac automatically change to the correct sampling rate? Or will it resample everything to what the ADI 2 is set to?
For information I have the correct adapter and have tried it successfully with other DACs but wanted to check the functionality specifically with the ADI 2, hopefully with people that have tried it.
If I connect a Sony WM1A/Z to an ADI 2 Dac using the usb OTG adapter, will the ADI 2 Dac automatically change to the correct sampling rate? Or will it resample everything to what the ADI 2 is set to?
For information I have the correct adapter and have tried it successfully with other DACs but wanted to check the functionality specifically with the ADI 2, hopefully with people that have tried it.
There is no 'ADI is set to'. It processes whatever you feed it.
Thanks for the reply, so you have tried it with a WM1A/Z?
I used to own an ADI 2 Dac and had issues with switching in Windows 10 with WASAPI so wanted to confirm the Sony DAPs had no issues.
Android is not Windows 10. Linux is not Windows 10. Whatever is in the Sony is not Windows 10.
That is correct and I'm not here to argue.....
I would really appreciate it if somebody who has tried using a WM1A/Z as a USB input to the ADI 2 Dac could confirm there are no issue and the sample rate automatically switches correctly.
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