Connecting a non RME interface with ADAT-out to an RME ADI-2 DAC?

I've asked this in the RME forums a while back and even contacted customer support regarding this for almost a month, and the results I get are (in no real order):

-We recommend *insert RME interface here*
-Not a single yes or no regarding being able to do it/No reply

Sorry for the stupid question. Its just that I recently ordered an RME ADI-2 DAC (its still shipping), and I have a Clarett 4pre in hand, which has Spdif/ADAT out and I'm looking for a solution for something I can use for use cases other than just a better headphone out for the interface.

 

It should be pretty simple to connect the Clarett 4 pre to the ADI-2 DAC. Just make sure you route your system sound to the Clarett and route the audio to the spdif output. Use a Coaxial cable to connect the Clarrett to the coax input on the ADI-2 DAC and select coax input with the remote.

 

I see. The reason I ask this is because there might be something from RME that prevents it from being able to work in a stable manner if its connected to the Clarett 4pre. I'll give it a try once it gets here. Thank you very much

 

I don't see what the issue would be as long as the sample rate is supported by the RME. Let us know what happens once you get everything hooked up and give it a try.

 

Alright, thank you. Its just that I read in an RME thread on why a guy said connecting an RME interface + RME ADI-2 Pro/DAC is better because its stable... but doesn't say anything about how or why its stable in comparison to other interfaces (thus why I cannot make anything out of what he meant about it), nor does he mention if it works with other/non-RME interfaces (and doesn't answer if it does...). RME forums sometimes scare me.

 

The only thing that needs to be "stable" is the interface hooked up to the computer. If the Focusrite doesn't give you any issues, it's performance will remain but instead of converting the signal to analog internally, the signal will be sent out digitally via the spdif output to the ADI-2 DAC which will do the Digital to Analog processing.

 

I see. This is also applicable to other DACs with Spdif/Coaxial-in like, lets say, Soekris R2R, Modi Multibit, and the likes, right?

 

That's why we have standards, so everything plays nicely together. Any AES-AES, Spdif-Spdif etc. connections will work from different vendors. In the digital world you don't have impedance issues for output and input like dac/amps have.

 

I see. This eases my mind alot, now. Thank you very much. I was scared of things like manufacturers probably doing some internal BS just because of a standard and what not.