RME ADI-2 DAC Thread
Sep 9, 2022 at 9:08 AM Post #5,191 of 5,991
I'm so confused now....
 
Sep 10, 2022 at 8:35 AM Post #5,192 of 5,991
I'm so confused now....
You're not alone! I'm running my RME into a Bottle Head Crack and the guys on the Bottle Head thread state that the Crack's volume knob handles input gain, so level coming in from the RME isn't so crucial.

For me and my amp/setup, I've found that -15 dBr works very well and gives a bit of range on the amp's volume knob. I just tried the -4.5 dBr suggestion and it sounds good, but I have no range on the amp's volume knob and have to keep it barely on (at about 8 O'clock), as it gets too loud too quick at -4.5 dBr. I guess in this case, I'll just trust my ears and not the charts/numbers/data.
 
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Sep 10, 2022 at 11:40 AM Post #5,193 of 5,991
You're not alone! I'm running my RME into a Bottle Head Crack and the guys on the Bottle Head thread state that the Crack's volume knob handles input gain, so level coming in from the RME isn't so crucial.

For me and my amp/setup, I've found that -15 dBr works very well and gives a bit of range on the amp's volume knob. I just tried the -4.5 dBr suggestion and it sounds good, but I have no range on the amp's volume knob and have to keep it barely on (at about 8 O'clock), as it gets too loud too quick at -4.5 dBr. I guess in this case, I'll just trust my ears and not the charts/numbers/data.
I have the same problem with my Liquid Platinum hybrid. With the RME at recommended line out settings I also have very little range on the volume knob. Couple that with the fact the amp has a slight channel imbalance at lower volumes means for me the RME is doing the preamp duty, with no sound degradation, at least to my ears. Plus I get the use of the RME remote for volume levels (which the LP does not have) I'm grateful the RME is so flexible for many different use cases. I've found the ability to save settings in different profiles to be hugely convenient when changing sources, connected amps, output levels etc.
 
Sep 17, 2022 at 2:05 AM Post #5,194 of 5,991
I have never had this DAC but are you insisting this dac sounds a little dirty, or loud, when nothing is playing? Like there is hissing, or something?
I'm not insisting anything. I'm learning.
He did say that years ago, yes. I think these companies whose customers were mostly pro audio were suprised at the reception some of their products get from the hifi customer. RME and 4,4mm jack? Never though it would happen. Violectric supporting DSD? Miracle.

Oh the times they are a' changing...
Coming back to this, and with full awareness that the RME is already great, here is a Nelson Pass paper, not about PSU but rather about the DAC output mod I'm getting, as I mentioned earlier:

https://www.passdiy.com/project/other/zen-i-v-converter

There's a ten-year-old thread about this specific mod here on Head-fi, with plenty of enthusiasm about an idea from Pass, but I can't find many who have actually attempted the mod.
 
Sep 18, 2022 at 7:26 AM Post #5,195 of 5,991
mmm...front display died this morning. I rebooted then it worked, then it died again. Rebooted and its still working as of now...looks like a warranty exchange...

20220918_072032_HDR.jpg
 
Sep 18, 2022 at 7:43 AM Post #5,196 of 5,991
mmm...front display died this morning. I rebooted then it worked, then it died again. Rebooted and its still working as of now...looks like a warranty exchange...
My display didn't die but acquired some vertical lines just before the warranty expired. RME did a fantastic job handling the repair. Very satisfied.
 
Sep 18, 2022 at 8:04 AM Post #5,197 of 5,991
My display didn't die but acquired some vertical lines just before the warranty expired. RME did a fantastic job handling the repair. Very satisfied.
Well I just got it 2 weeks ago, I'm hoping the store can just exchange it for me... we'll see...maybe it was just a glitch...
 
Sep 18, 2022 at 9:59 AM Post #5,198 of 5,991
Well I just got it 2 weeks ago, I'm hoping the store can just exchange it for me... we'll see...maybe it was just a glitch...
Curious if a software update may or may not be helpful? The good news is that you are well within a return window.
 
Sep 18, 2022 at 10:10 AM Post #5,199 of 5,991
Curious if a software update may or may not be helpful? The good news is that you are well within a return window.
It's been fine after those 2 glitches... sheesh, my AresII is out for delivery after a repair job...i got the RME just out of curiosity when it went on sale for $1K and now I love it so much I'm thinking of selling the Ares...I'd love to keep both but it seems silly having 2 dacs.
 
Sep 18, 2022 at 1:28 PM Post #5,200 of 5,991
It's been fine after those 2 glitches... sheesh, my AresII is out for delivery after a repair job...i got the RME just out of curiosity when it went on sale for $1K and now I love it so much I'm thinking of selling the Ares...I'd love to keep both but it seems silly having 2 dacs.
Congrats on getting it a few weeks ago. Hopefully the display glitch worked itself out. RME provides driver and firmware updates which I think is a good thing making continual improvements. I purchased the RME about 4 years ago with the older AKM chip and it's been a solid pro-audio component. Back then I think it only had green, cyan and monochrome options on the display but later updates added red, orange and amber.

Latest update came out last week. From the readme file:

Important information: Driver version 0.9794
Installation
-------------
Latest driver:
http://www.rme-audio.de/download/driver_madiface_win_xxxx.zip
Latest firmware
http://www.rme-audio.de/download/fut_madiface_win.zip

The firmware update is not possible unless the driver had been installed before.
Follow the instructions of the RME Driver Install Wizard. This tool installs/updates all driver files. After that attach the device (in case of first time installation) or reboot (in case of an update) the computer.
 
Sep 30, 2022 at 6:44 PM Post #5,201 of 5,991
Just a quick question for owners...

Is it okay to have both the XLR and Unbalanced RCAs connected simultaneously, or does this cause any issues? Just want to make sure as on some dacs this is not recommended.

Was planning on running the XLR to a separate Headphone amp.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Cheers!!
 
iFi audio Stay updated on iFi audio at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
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Sep 30, 2022 at 6:51 PM Post #5,202 of 5,991
Just a quick question for owners...

Is it okay to have both the XLR and Unbalanced RCAs connected simultaneously, or does this cause any issues? Just want to make sure as on some dacs this is not recommended.

Was planning on running the XLR to a separate Headphone amp.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Cheers!!
I got my RME connected to a hybrid amp using the balanced connection and got a pair of active speakers hooked to the RCA. Got 0 issues when using the line out.
 
Sep 30, 2022 at 6:56 PM Post #5,203 of 5,991
I got my RME connected to a hybrid amp using the balanced connection and got a pair of active speakers hooked to the RCA. Got 0 issues when using the line out.
Hey, Thanks so much for the quick reply, I appreciate it!!

Cheers!!
 
iFi audio Stay updated on iFi audio at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://twitter.com/ifiaudio https://www.instagram.com/ifiaudio/ https://ifi-audio.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@iFiaudiochannel comms@ifi-audio.com
Oct 7, 2022 at 6:01 PM Post #5,205 of 5,991
Hi I'm trying to find a good amp to pair with my ADI-2 DAC FS. Is that even necessary? Any recommendations are appreciated
 

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