RME ADI-2 Pro Discussion Thread

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by k.e., Nov 5, 2016.

  1. PTS

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    Yeah, was going to speak with Blue Jeans Cable. Thanks guys!
     
  2. Changeling

    Changeling Tube Slut

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    Can we get a one of those fancy links that takes you straight to a pre-configured tail to use, I believe that the redco website has that option?
    I think we had one in the system synergy thread for a PRT interconnect / tail.
    Could perhaps be a sticky on first page...

    In the meantime, here’s what I’m using:

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Dyson-A...159366?hash=item1a270aa786:g:6rsAAOSwTM5Yu19X
     
    Last edited: Jan 15, 2018
  3. PTS

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  4. Changeling

    Changeling Tube Slut

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    Seems to have also changed the design/connectors since I bought mine.
    What was the price you got from BJC ?

    Here's the schedule, for those interested, from the ADI-2 Pro manual (page 40):

    upload_2018-1-17_9-30-51.png
     
  5. PTS

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    $38.50 plus shipping.

    Do you think it's worth going balanced over single ended?
     
  6. Changeling

    Changeling Tube Slut

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    Worth as in better SQ? Probably not, but I won't go into that discussion :)
    Worth as in getting more power for HD800? Yes. Worth it. HD800 in my opinion benefit from as much power as it can possibly get.
     
  7. uelover

    uelover New

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    Personally for me, with my Focal Clear, balanced has quite significantly improved the SQ of my headphone. I was at one point in time debating as you do whether to spend that “dongle” and have something dangling out like a Christmas tree, but I’m glad that I went ahead to buy it. If not, I would never know how much I have been missing out.

    If you read chapter 34.3 of the manual, you can find out more about the benefits of the advanced balanced headphone amplifier in the RME ADI-2 Pro unit (https://www.rme-audio.de/download/adi2pro_e.pdf)

    Key things are:

    1) Output level is doubled
    2) Output power is quadrupled (there is a built-in current limit circuit to prevent too much power from being supplied to your headphone)
    3) Positive impact on THD and Linearity as the driver stage operates at 6dB lower
    4) Non-linearity between output level and noise level - output level rises more than noise level
     
  8. TheBrightSide

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  9. SquiGGlez

    SquiGGlez Acquaintance

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    I like the adapter so that I can just re-terminate every headphone in 4 pin xlr and use it with all of them and then have a single ended adapter that works with all of them as well
     
  10. GanGreinke

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    If you are going to use the balanced headphone output, I'd recommend using it in PRT mode (http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...nel-polarity-phase-reversal.2942/#post-110528). You would have to get a cable with the ground and the positive leads in the right channel reversed and then correct the phase directly in the ADI-2 pro settings.

    I've been running the Audio Zenith PMx2 and the LFF Code-LEX using the PRT mode, and I feel that both headphones benefit from the extra power.
     
  11. Colgin

    Colgin Friend

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    I cannot say how much the PRT mode helped, but I can attest to how awesome @GanGreinke 's PMx2 is with the ADI-2 pro setup the way he has done.
     
  12. mitochondrium

    mitochondrium Friend

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    I am not averse to switchers and I think the PRO does a good job of cleaning the power internally, yet I worry about the crap switchers feed back to the grid thereby polluting the power for other gear using the same power outlet. Therefore I replaced the powersupply with a medical grade switcher. It has low leakage and touch current. This is plugged into a Furman AC-210. This way I try to avoid other gear being polluted by the switcher.
     
  13. mitochondrium

    mitochondrium Friend

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    I really like this piece of kit. I have plugged the output of my phono pre into the analog in of the PRO via Cinch/6.3 mm adapters. This way I can either listen to Vinyl directly (with an ADDA conversion) or I can digitise my vinyl. I use VinylStudio for this, works a treat. Initially I got lost in the menus, so I studied the manual how to save different settings. Now I have saved the setting I need in order to stream music via USB to the PRO and a second one which is for digitising LP. I digitise in 24/96 format. I will have to have a llok in Audacity how the spectrum conten looks like. I guess 24/48 would also do and would save some disk space. On the other hand when using 96 kHz I cannot hear any differences between different digital filters anymore because they roll of way above the audible band. Nevertheless I use the SD slow filter both in AD and DA mode so far. Sonically I think the PRO does not sound like a lot of people might think pro gear might sound like.
    Bill Withers - I can't write left-handed sends shivers down my spine. the velvet in Withers' voice is rendered beautifully. The PRO will stay definitely. Might even try to make some measurements with DigiCheck
     
  14. PTS

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    Got mine a few days ago, enjoying it so far. A little more neutral / analytical compared to my old DAC, which may take some getting used to. Like others here, I plan to read the manual as the multi tier menus are confusing at first.

    [​IMG]

    Blue Jeans Cable balanced adapter pictured, 2 TRS to 4-pin XLR.
     
  15. stratocaster

    stratocaster Friend

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    I was wondering if you are completely free to choose the 5 PEQ bands or if you are limited to a certain range for each band? In other words, would it be possible to choose something like 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 kHZ?
     
  16. Hrodulf

    Hrodulf Prohibited from acting as an MOT until year 2050

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    Not completely free. I can't remember what were the limits, but they were pretty liberal.
     
  17. sorrodje

    sorrodje Carla Bruni's other lover - Friend

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    From : https://www.rme-audio.de/download/adi2pro_e.pdf
     
  18. GanGreinke

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  19. PTS

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    Has anyone tried hooking it up without USB going direct? If so, any improvement?

    I was thinking or bridging my connection with a Schiit Eitr or something, using a coaxial cable.
     
  20. sorrodje

    sorrodje Carla Bruni's other lover - Friend

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    I used aes from a vx222e soundcard, optical from a motherboard and straight USB. No obvious difference I can hear but I didn't do any serious comparison.
     

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