[Slaphead]

Thanks for the reply. It just crossed my mind to actually try to turn the DAC off and on, and when I did that, it started working again. That was a weird one.

With anything related to computers and tech that is the absolute FIRST thing to do in the event of a problem - everything off then everything on again. It's the tech support mantra.

And no, it's not really weird - the disconnection of the FiiO probably caused the USB controller on the RME to get into a hung, or otherwise non-functional state. Something that can be quite common with USB devices can be and easily rectified by power cycling the device.

Anyway I'm glad everything worked out for you.

 

[drspeter]

Would anyone be able to tell me why is this happening?

I got the RME ADI-2 connected directly to my computer via USB and I also had a FiiO K9 Pro ESS connected via USB. The RME was working perfectly fine until I unplugged the FiiO K9 Pro as I don't use the FiiO too often. Now the RME is not showing up in the sound settings, or the sound control panel. I tried to unplug and plug the USB, and I also tried to restart the computer.

If anyone had any similar issues and solved the problem, please let me know how to fix this issue, thank you.

Edit: It also says USB (disconnected) on the RME. I tried to switch out the USB cable for a different one, and I tried different USB ports on the computer. Nothing different happened. The (disconnected) part disappears when I connect the USB on the back of the RME for about 3 seconds then comes back on.

Are you using the ess9028q2m version of ADI-2? can you please tell me more details of how it sounds better than K9 pro ess? I am debating whether it will be an upgrade if I go from k9 to ADI-2

 

[ushman]

On sale right now! $300 off wonder if there’s a new one coming

 

[gimmeheadroom]

On sale right now! $300 off wonder if there’s a new one coming

There is, there is a Pro model with 4,4mm (the world has come to an end) and some other stuff which I have forgotten. But I would be surprised (I know it doesn't matter) if they would discontinue the base model.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Are you using the ess9028q2m version of ADI-2? can you please tell me more details of how it sounds better than K9 pro ess? I am debating whether it will be an upgrade if I go from k9 to ADI-2

The ADI-2 is an upgrade to the K9 Pro and anything FiiO, SMSL, Topping, etc. will ever put out, until the end of all time.

 

[TK33]

On sale right now! $300 off wonder if there’s a new one coming

If you mean a new successor to the ADI-2 DAC FS, then I doubt a new version is coming anytime soon. RME confirmed this on another forum earlier this week. Exact words were:

"No change planned for the forseeable future."

 

[MLGrado]

Maybe once the launch of the new one comes in a few months. It’s a hard device to sell. Fully featured dac, powerful amp that drives 99% headphones fully.

no way am I selling mine, even though at one time i thought I might. (i actually have the ADI PRO-2 FS R Black Edition)

I won't let go of this 'older' version with the exceptional AKM AK4493.


I saw where they were blowing out some of the DAC only at Sweetwater. But it doesn't say what DAC. I assume they are clearing out their stock of AKM to make way for the 'upgraded' ones with ESS chipset.

If that is the case, get one while you can. There is something to be said about the AKM 'sound', not to mention is has a native DSD Bypass mode

I see where the are advertising the same feature with the ESS, but unless ESS made some major design architecture in some dark, back room late at night, I call BS.

Sure you can technically keep the volume control on ESS chips at full, but the signal by design sends native DSD to the accumulator/flip-flop , then onward as multibit signal of whatever nature ESS finds is best (note I am tiptoeing around calling it PCM-narrow, DSD-wide, because any mention of this or that format will send some one into a tizzy) and it ends up being finally converted to Delta Sigma again and converted by the Hyperstream DAC modules.

Yes the AKM does something similar with its 'non-decimating' DSD volume control that then is sent to its DS Modulators for conversion. It is the only way you can listen to headphones in DSD because the attenuator is digital. But using the PRE-OUTS, you can get a DSD direct path, bypassing all DSP, converted by the output Caps/Filter to Analog.

ESS again simply does not have this feature.

I have always admired RME for their excellent manuals with tech explanations. I am looking forward to have a look at the 'Native DSD Bypass' on the new ESS version.

 

[Aspirant Audiophile]

If you mean a new successor to the ADI-2 DAC FS, then I doubt a new version is coming anytime soon. RME confirmed this on another forum earlier this week. Exact words were:

"No change planned for the forseeable future."

I just demo'd a Holo Spring and May today, and was able to compare with my RME. With all the audio tinkering options on the RME, I was about to get a sound very close to the Spring. With the May, it was better but hard to see it being 5k more than the RME. I was frankly surprised there wasn't a bigger change. I might get to home demo in a couple months to test for longer.

 

[emilsoft]

I just demo'd a Holo Spring and May today, and was able to compare with my RME. With all the audio tinkering options on the RME, I was about to get a sound very close to the Spring. With the May, it was better but hard to see it being 5k more than the RME. I was frankly surprised there wasn't a bigger change. I might get to home demo in a couple months to test for longer.

The RME simply can't fix some things with EQ.. over time the Holo Spring will show you the way, what at first sounds like 10% difference over longer listening period it can turn to 50% - the RME can't quite get rid of ringing in the treble region - not a frequency response problem, but certain excitement/highlight of treble notes in contrast to a slightly diffuse and soft mid making them sound prominent (and at times annoying).. the ringing might be a time domain issue, or who knows what - it's past your typical measuring gear that can highlight the problem (we still have some way to go for our measurement gear to match the complexity and refinement of human ears) - it's easily discernible as kind of crystalline/glassy effect vs other DACs (even other delta sigma like Apogee Element which somehow manage to suppress that ringing).

I like the RME but I feel like there is something that's holding it back, like op amps doing something to the treble, i've got no clue but I can hear it and in contrast to it's other qualities it's a tad annoying.

 

[Aspirant Audiophile]

The RME simply can't fix some things with EQ.. over time the Holo Spring will show you the way, what at first sounds like 10% difference over longer listening period it can turn to 50% - the RME can't quite get rid of ringing in the treble region - not a frequency response problem, but certain excitement/highlight of treble notes in contrast to a slightly diffuse and soft mid making them sound prominent (and at times annoying).. the ringing might be a time domain issue, or who knows what - it's past your typical measuring gear that can highlight the problem (we still have some way to go for our measurement gear to match the complexity and refinement of human ears) - it's easily discernible as kind of crystalline/glassy effect vs other DACs (even other delta sigma like Apogee Element which somehow manage to suppress that ringing).

I like the RME but I feel like there is something that's holding it back, like op amps doing something to the treble, i've got no clue but I can hear it and in contrast to it's other qualities it's a tad annoying.

I don't disagree with any of this, though I cannot respond about the Holos as in-depth as you. I don't say the EQ fixes everything, more that the near-limitless options gets me to a joyful music experience--being able to set up multiple EQ settings along with all the other goodies the RME offers, individually for each ear--it's a joy for me that is not based on having the very best DAC. I'm trading some benefits for others, for me it's a good trade-off for now.

I'm getting GR external power supplies for my Node and RME, and I'm hopeful that in doing so, my audio journey will be on happy hold for awhile.

 

[Slaphead]

it's past your typical measuring gear that can highlight the problem (we still have some way to go for our measurement gear to match the complexity and refinement of human ears)

I personally would rely on measurement gear to tell me the raw truth. The reason is that sometimes everything sounds wonderful to me, and at other times everything sounds just meh.

Your mood, level of fatigue, how much you've drunk, etc, all lead to a different listening experience.

I enjoy HiFi, but I'm a fallible person like everybody else, and it's unwise to completely trust your senses to assess objective quality.

 

[ethanc]

Does anyone else have a noticeable very high pitched whine/buzz from the LCD screen? It is highest pitch/least noticeable at 100% brightness (probs 15kHz+), and get's lower pitched and more noticeable on lower brightness. I think there are also a few threads on the RME forum about this issue, with no conclusive fix. I am sensitive to high frequency whines, am thinking about returning it. Otherwise would be forced to use dark mode permanently.

 

[emilsoft]

I personally would rely on measurement gear to tell me the raw truth. The reason is that sometimes everything sounds wonderful to me, and at other times everything sounds just meh.

Your mood, level of fatigue, how much you've drunk, etc, all lead to a different listening experience.

I enjoy HiFi, but I'm a fallible person like everybody else, and it's unwise to completely trust your senses to assess objective quality.

oh yes absolutely, measurements are super important (especially for headphones). However the level of measurement science we have right now is not good enough to highlight why two excellent measuring, low distortion DACs can sound quite different.. R2R vs delta sigma vs fpga Chord - all can sound quite different. Even Apogee Element vs RME ADI are not alike but both measure very similarly with blind listening side by side. Chord always spout time domain stuff which is difficult to measure as being very important, I don't know if this is correct but I can tell you their Qutest sounded different to the RME. Our ears are highly specialised instruments, we have to use both measurements+ears (in the most controlled manner we can manage).

 

[dougq]

Does anyone else have a noticeable very high pitched whine/buzz from the LCD screen? It is highest pitch/least noticeable at 100% brightness (probs 15kHz+), and get's lower pitched and more noticeable on lower brightness. I think there are also a few threads on the RME forum about this issue, with no conclusive fix. I am sensitive to high frequency whines, am thinking about returning it. Otherwise would be forced to use dark mode permanently.

Nope.

oh yes absolutely, measurements are super important (especially for headphones). However the level of measurement science we have right now is not good enough to highlight why two excellent measuring, low distortion DACs can sound quite different.. R2R vs delta sigma vs fpga Chord - all can sound quite different. Even Apogee Element vs RME ADI are not alike but both measure very similarly with blind listening side by side. Chord always spout time domain stuff which is difficult to measure as being very important, I don't know if this is correct but I can tell you their Qutest sounded different to the RME. Our ears are highly specialised instruments, we have to use both measurements+ears (in the most controlled manner we can manage).

So you have a source of any actual blind testing? From my understanding most would not hear the distance. I could not personally

 

[Dogmatrix]

Nope.

So you have a source of any actual blind testing? From my understanding most would not hear the distance. I could not personally

Indeed
What we commonly refer to here as a blind test is really an unsighted comparison a blind test requires the participants to be unaware of the test purpose
Manufacturers could easily compose true blind tests and I am certain that if they thought they would benefit from it they would
Yet they do not