RME ADI-2 DAC Thread

[gimmeheadroom]

Thanks @frogmeat69 @gimmeheadroom @betula for the explanations & motivating comments.
Makes sense that RME's official site list the most recent products. However in stores, old items might be available with risk of some mislabeling.
In a store near me (bax-shop), "RME ADI-2 Pro FS R AD/DA converter" for £1,579.00
And same store has "RME ADI-2 Pro FS 2-Channel AD/DA Converter" for £1,119.00
Is the difference only in "R" for remote? Do you believe both have FS and AK4493 described by @betula

The Pro model has more features and is not the DAC we're discussing in this thread. RME is a pro audio company and the ADI-2 DAC FS is pretty much the only "consumer" product. That means it is targeted at the hifi buyer rather than studio/production/live performance user. You may or may not want the extra features. Also, the amp is a little more powerful. Personally I prefer to go for a separate amp rather than jam an amp for all seasons in a DAC housing.

Fortunately it is easy not to get ripped off if a shop doesn't distinguish between the previous and current models of the ADI-2 DAC, either intentionally or by mistake.

The remote on the current version looks like this:

The RME page is still linking to info and setup videos using the previous version

The reason is that except for the change from AKM4490 to 4493, the upgraded remote and one additional color option on the OLED display, the units are almost the same.

For comparison of prices at a reasonable shop, consider Thomann.de

Current production RME DAC ADI-2 FS https://www.thomann.de/intl/rme_adi_2_dac_fs.htm
Current production RME ADI-2 FS (notice subtle name difference, totally different product!) https://www.thomann.de/intl/rme_adi_2_fs.htm

If you check upthread, you can see pics posted by guys with the new and old units including boxes and remotes etc. I got a new model from the first batch Thomann received and posted pics.

 

[SupperTime]

i guess ive decided to sell it, i hope its a good price including the cable for people
really will miss the feature set.
i know its a desktop solution but one must appreciate how light and small the footprint of this awesome device is.

im allready regretting it, i can see myself rebuying it in the future.
have we all done some of that before?

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/rme-adi-2-dac-v2-4493-cardas-clear-usb-a-b.932720/

 

[CaptainFantastic]

i guess ive decided to sell it, i hope its a good price including the cable for people
really will miss the feature set.
i know its a desktop solution but one must appreciate how light and small the footprint of this awesome device is.

im allready regretting it, i can see myself rebuying it in the future.
have we all done some of that before?

Yes, if you already think you will regret it and might buy it again... the answer is simple = don't sell. Unless you need to for life reasons, keep it. You will regret it if whatever you are replacing it with does not provide the same or better quality and functionality. IMHO

 

[InstantSilence]

Wow! Why not keep

 

[SupperTime]

Yes, if you already think you will regret it and might buy it again... the answer is simple = don't sell. Unless you need to for life reasons, keep it. You will regret it if whatever you are replacing it with does not provide the same or better quality and functionality. IMHO

i agree 100 percent, my work has shifted and im forced to get something for portable use, like iems and a dap of sorts....not excited about it
the RME adi 2 dac feature set and sound quality is no where to be found around the same price range...even higher. features above features.
a shame.....i might just not sell....damn....
forced to get rid of my ether c flow 1.1 in order to fund iems

 

[FullBlownEargasam]

i guess ive decided to sell it, i hope its a good price including the cable for people
really will miss the feature set.
i know its a desktop solution but one must appreciate how light and small the footprint of this awesome device is.

im allready regretting it, i can see myself rebuying it in the future.
have we all done some of that before?

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/rme-adi-2-dac-v2-4493-cardas-clear-usb-a-b.932720/

Noooo.... Sell the either's and keep the RME. That iem output is an amazing feature. But seriously if you have to you have to. You will miss it though.

 

[SupperTime]

Noooo.... Sell the either's and keep the RME. That iem output is an amazing feature. But seriously if you have to you have to. You will miss it though.

i know! the rme is also stellar for the iem output. true silent even with extremely sensitive iems....a true shame....i hope one day rme makes a battery powered one.
idk, it needs nothing new. a true quality piece of gear.

id sell the ether c flow 1.1 at 800 shipped/paypal

 

[FullBlownEargasam]

i know! the rme is also stellar for the iem output. true silent even with extremely sensitive iems....a true shame....i hope one day rme makes a battery powered one.
idk, it needs nothing new. a true quality piece of gear.

id sell the ether c flow 1.1 at 800 shipped/paypal

Throw a kidney in there any you will have quite a portable setup.

 

[Progisus]

I’ve been using the iem output to Tia Fourte. It really is stellar and I prefer it to my H2 with iems.

 

[SupperTime]

I’ve been using the iem output to Tia Fourte. It really is stellar and I prefer it to my H2 with iems.

do you find the H2 to have better detail and clarity? also do you find H2 to have any spikes in its FR?

 

[Progisus]

do you find the H2 to have better detail and clarity? also do you find H2 to have any spikes in its FR?

I find the H2 to be a bit harsh in the treble as compared to my TT. I prefer the TT to the H2 as it is smoother and has the feeling that any power required will be there. The ADI2 is very linear in it’s freq response and analytical but in a good way. The chords are more organic. If I feed the ADI from HQPlayer with upscaled DSD256 it passes the chords even when fed max pcm. I feel the ADI amp drives my cans well but the iem amp really shines.

 

[Slaphead]

i guess ive decided to sell it, i hope its a good price including the cable for people
really will miss the feature set.
i know its a desktop solution but one must appreciate how light and small the footprint of this awesome device is.

im allready regretting it, i can see myself rebuying it in the future.
have we all done some of that before?

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/rme-adi-2-dac-v2-4493-cardas-clear-usb-a-b.932720/

IMO you should sell the Hugo2 which will net you more money, and then, if you like the Chord sound, get a Mojo. But honestly for on the go music most DAPs or phones are more than capable, especially in an environment where ambient noise will negate the benefits of more specialised equipment.

 

[FullBlownEargasam]

Ok as a relatively new RME ADI-2 FS owner I could use some advice. It seems like I need to crank up the volume knob on the RME more than I thought I would have to. Listening with Arya's, HD800s, and ZMF Verite Closed. On low power I find myself at around -1 db and on high maybe -12. My first question is this normal? I don't feel like I listen at high listening levels. I mean there is volume there but I am middle aged (omg did I just say that?) so its not hearing loss and I am not a youngin cranking it up to 11. I also could have messed with something that I shouldn't have touched. Second does this mean I should be looking at external amps? On all of my past gear I would rate the power based on how far I need to turn the nob. Maybe if some people could share their volume levels with similar headphones? or what setting I touched that I shouldn't have?

Any advice would be appreciated. I guess I should have started with wow this unit is amazing. I am unbelievably impressed impressed with the performance and I haven't even gotten to far into the menus. This product should get a lot more love then it does.

 

[betula]

Ok as a relatively new RME ADI-2 FS owner I could use some advice. It seems like I need to crank up the volume knob on the RME more than I thought I would have to. Listening with Arya's, HD800s, and ZMF Verite Closed. On low power I find myself at around -1 db and on high maybe -12. My first question is this normal? I don't feel like I listen at high listening levels. I mean there is volume there but I am middle aged (omg did I just say that?) so its not hearing loss and I am not a youngin cranking it up to 11. I also could have messed with something that I shouldn't have touched. Second does this mean I should be looking at external amps? On all of my past gear I would rate the power based on how far I need to turn the nob. Maybe if some people could share their volume levels with similar headphones? or what setting I touched that I shouldn't have?

Any advice would be appreciated. I guess I should have started with wow this unit is amazing. I am unbelievably impressed impressed with the performance and I haven't even gotten to far into the menus. This product should get a lot more love then it does.

Those volume levels do seem a bit high. There is a 'dim' function on the bottom of the menu, make sure it is off. It actually 'dims' the sound and not the screen.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Ok as a relatively new RME ADI-2 FS owner I could use some advice. It seems like I need to crank up the volume knob on the RME more than I thought I would have to. Listening with Arya's, HD800s, and ZMF Verite Closed. On low power I find myself at around -1 db and on high maybe -12. My first question is this normal? I don't feel like I listen at high listening levels. I mean there is volume there but I am middle aged (omg did I just say that?) so its not hearing loss and I am not a youngin cranking it up to 11. I also could have messed with something that I shouldn't have touched. Second does this mean I should be looking at external amps? On all of my past gear I would rate the power based on how far I need to turn the nob. Maybe if some people could share their volume levels with similar headphones? or what setting I touched that I shouldn't have?

Any advice would be appreciated. I guess I should have started with wow this unit is amazing. I am unbelievably impressed impressed with the performance and I haven't even gotten to far into the menus. This product should get a lot more love then it does.

Like @betula said make sure DIM is not on. But turn the volume knob all the way down and keep the cans off your ears while doing all this!

The other thing is to make sure high power amp is on. I keep that setting for all my cans, even easier to drive ones like Fostex or HD 25.