RME ADI-2 Pro Discussion Thread

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

  1. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    As a guy who owns the Lyra1, those gearslutz threads are making me far too curious for my own good... but it's really only one or two guys offering real comments so far.

    I've also got a Prism Callia on loan at the moment, which has an improved headphone output. I wonder if I can get an ADI unit for review/comparison somehow...
     
  2. Chris F

    Chris F Boyz 4 Now Fanatic - Friend

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    Is anyone using the ADI-2 Pro primarily as an ADC? I'm using a TASCAM DA-3000 (DSD128) but am looking for a (ideally sub $2000) DSD256 solution as I find DSD ideal for doing vinyl transfers/archival stuff.

    So far we have Mytek (Brooklyn ADC) and RME with designs around the AK5574. Hopefully more to come!
     
  3. Hrodulf

    Hrodulf Prohibited from acting as an MOT until year 2050

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    Well, it's the best ADC RME make. With Vinyl ripping I figure you'd have other more lossy links un the chain.
     
  4. Azteca

    Azteca Friend

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    Is there reason to believe the ADC section is better than the standard ADI-2? I'm always a little skeptical of multifunction units.
     
  5. Hrodulf

    Hrodulf Prohibited from acting as an MOT until year 2050

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    I believe so. ADC chips on both units are different and ADI-2 Pro should have a superior analog stage. Differences in performance are also stated in manufacturer specs.

    The story goes that ADI-2 Pro was developed so that RME guys could use it to develop new gear, so it's a great measurement device which outresolves all of their existing products.

    One of the German reviewers posted this to test out the ADI-2 Pro. Basically it's the same track, just one of the versions has been looped out of the ADI-2 Pro DAC and recaptured by ADC.

    https://soundcloud.com/lowbeats-magazine/sets/rme-adi-2-pro-da-ad-soundcheck

    Can you detect which is which?
     
  6. scott2000

    scott2000 New

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    I like number 2....lol
     
  7. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Hmm, looks like I may be getting one of these in to evaluate... I'll keep you guys posted!
     
  8. k.e.

    k.e. Winning combo: narcissistic and stupid

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    Seriously underrated at this point. Really underlines the differences between pro audio and hifi. If this had sleeker aesthetics, a remote, conventional unbalanced connections and a supersized housing with unnecessary LEDs, this could be the hottest thing right now.
     
  9. Hrodulf

    Hrodulf Prohibited from acting as an MOT until year 2050

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    You mean these?

    [​IMG]
     
  10. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    I own the Prism Lyra and have a Prism Callia for review as well. I know the Lyra has what they call a "bootstrapping" circuit which auto converts their balanced to unbalanced if it detects one leg is grounded. I wouldn't be surprised if the RME has something similar, though I suspect most pro audio products either do this or are simply robust enough to not care if you smoosh one of the legs to ground. I know Lavry has cross coupled outputs which will shift the opposite leg to compensate if one side gets moved or grounded.
     
  11. k.e.

    k.e. Winning combo: narcissistic and stupid

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    Yup. You'd be surprised how many consumers may be thrown off by the lack of RCA.
     
  12. k.e.

    k.e. Winning combo: narcissistic and stupid

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    It has auto balanced mode. Here's my adapter:

    [​IMG]

    If you plug it in, the ADI-2 Pro will automatically switch from dual headphone to balanced mode.
     
  13. Hrodulf

    Hrodulf Prohibited from acting as an MOT until year 2050

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    I think @Armaegis was thinking the ease of using SE line level connections despite the device having only differential outputs. For ADI-2 Pro you just use TS jacks or XLR with one pole left floating.

    The headphone outputs are a different thing. When switched to balanced it takes the outputs of each AK4490 and makes each channel drive its respective phase. The same is done with each of the headphone amps, each channel assigned to its respective phase - 6x OPA1688 per channel!
     
  14. Huhnkopf

    Huhnkopf Friend

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    curious how this one compares to the Gungnir MB. Do you have a way to reach out for a loaner, Klaus?
     
  15. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Does anyone know if the analog inputs are passed unmolested through the outputs, or if they are run through the ad/da chain? If I get this, I will try running the Prism analog outs into the RME, but that's gonna be rather moot if it all gets redigitized.
     
  16. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    I downloaded the manual for a drooling session when this thread started and I still have it. Available from RME*. Have a look at p.32: It looks as if Analogue->Analogue is processed ADC/DSP/DAC.

    But there are 86 pages of manual! perhaps there are other options.



    *Whenever I can get it, I prefer the user manual to the marketing gumph for any product.

    .
     
  17. Hrodulf

    Hrodulf Prohibited from acting as an MOT until year 2050

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    All analog gets like totally super molested through the best ADC RME has. Otherwise you couldn't do DSP witchcraft to it, like EQ, loudness compensation and um... volume control.

    If that keeps you up at night, I'd get something else. I adore the AD for measurement stuff and for the odd vinyl listening session.
     
  18. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Hey now, as long as there's consent... :eek:

    Just asking for the sake of pedantry. I was wondering if there were a valid way to compare just the amp sections but I don't think there is. I can send both analog outs to my Bryston though and try to compare dacs.
     
  19. Hrodulf

    Hrodulf Prohibited from acting as an MOT until year 2050

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    If you use the DAC of ADI-2 Pro, then there is a valid way. Route one DAC to built in headamp and other to backside outputs to whatever amp you have.
     
  20. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Bleh, I'm failing English today! Yeah that's what I intend to do with my Bryston amp. I meant I was wondering if I could do the comparison between the Prism/RME without a third piece of gear in between, but that won't work.
     

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