RME ADI-2 DAC

I am really torn in between choosing ADI-2 DAC or Soekris dac1541 to use with Utopias, and your humble opinion is appreciated gents, thank you

 

imo if you really need eq to tame utopia's treble OR need secondary dac-amp for travels or office uses, adi-2 might work as a dac. But consider beefy amp, too. Personally when I heard utopia with adi-2, it was ok but no more than "acceptable".

Honestly, I think either may fail to extract full potential from utopia even just as a dac.

Yggdrasil (or similarly competitive totl dacs - usually much more $$$) and set tubes (300b or 2a3-based summit-fi ones) seem like the way to go.

@cskippy can advise more, because he owns utopia, adi-2, Yggdrasil, and ec af.

 

oh I see thanks, I am running it right now with R2R-11, and its a good combo, just an ongoing itch to upgrade. I don't EQ anything atm with my combo, and dont feel I need to tame/raise anything. but something tells me I like the sound of R2R dac, but adi-2 has so many features though, you can bass/eq anything, so I am leaning towards it.
is there a way to switch outputs between hp and rca out on the back? like R2R-11 does, i use this all the time

 

Yes. I've also used agd nfb1 amp before, and adi-2 handles and switches between hp outs and line outs more elegantly (e.g. can store different volumes/levels/polarity/digital filter for each out).

PS. It seems that you didn't introduce yourself yet
Go to this thread and please do it: http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/new-members-introduce-yourself.17

 

whats the normal price the unit goes for? around $1k I assume right?

 

The price to the RME is in the first link of the first post in this thread.

The great thing about SBAF I've found is that many of the threads are worth reading in their entirety.

 

From typing the name into Google:

 

I have purchased one today! Impressions will follow

 

How did I just find this today?

More than I wanted to spend on a new DAC, but all those features make it worth it. I'm going to have to dig into the manual.

 

I think this was the reason for me to pick this unit as well, I am yet to see an amp anywhere with similar features. I also carrying an idea to make my own cable and feed Utopias from the balanced out on the back, it would be underpowered, but might work, I shall try

 

Uh, ok...is this necessary to get started posting? Keep getting an error message.

 

Am able to post now, I think.
Longtime RME user and just got the new ADI-2 DAC. Am trying it out in a studio setting just to see its capabilities and they are impressive indeed. The ability to select impulse responses provides the flexibility to get your system and music genres set just so. Have found for denser orchestral textures the "slow" setting opens up the orchestra and allows increased transparency.
The phone output is very clean and exact. Am getting such clarity in general that better orchestral recordings exhibit subtle stage noise not heard from other DACs. You expect neutral clarity from RME products and this DAC delivers in spades.
Use both the RME UCX and RME UFX in my home studios and the new ADI-2 DAC betters both in terms of D/A conversion.
Those accustomed to RME's TotalMix should know that this DAC consumer product is a standalone with no active/software computer interface. you have to download the drivers to get connected to a source such as JRIver but, otherwise, there is no software connection to the computer. As noted by many, the USB connection is particularly well done.
Standalone status has pluses and minuses. On one hand the box is very easy to configure; on the other, you have to learn RME's physical control buttons-- that are clumsy at best. They could use additional buttons to make things easier. Also, it is good to know that button changes take place in realtime and do not require an "Enter" process. Get ready for the manual. It is absolutely essential here.
How good is this device?
When I move from the ADI-2 DAC studio room back to the regular listening room (with audiophile gear) I think "doesn't sound nearly as good as the ADI-2 DAC."
They're hard to get, right? Was able to get one from Synthax but had to remind them of the order several times. Derrick is very helpful there.
RME has got a real winner here and it is my conjecture that lots of audiophiles are going to be talking about this product in 2018.

 

I caved. Have one on order from Sweetwater now.

Need to find some stuff to sell before it comes in...

 

For those of you using this as DAC only, what head amp/headphone combo(s) do you think synergize well?

Thanks.

 

good tube amp. The answer to your question, for anything around here is, a good tube amp with good tubes.

 

I am going to take a built in amp for a spin before investing in something else. Likelihood of it is that it will be sufficient to my needs. Time will tell

 

Ordered. Should hopefully have it by Wednesday. I looked into alternatives during the period while the DAC version was unavailable in the U.S., but did not find as cost and size efficient alternative to drive my PMx2's during this period. Based on prior listening to the ADI-2-Pro, I think this will be sufficient for my PMx2 needs and given availability I just ordered one as I have been less than happy with my Liquid Carbon pairing. However, if I decide the amp section is holding it back I will probably cave and get an Ifi ICan Pro and still have a relatively short stack. Stuff like the Rag is just too big for me. But really hoping the ADI-2-DAC will do the trick for me as an AIO.

 

Ah, I probably should have asked this question before ordering, but I see two sets of analog outs, one is regular RCA and the other 3-pin. Is the 3-pin XLR only for balanced out to a balanced preamp/amp or can I just use a XLR to RCA adapter to connect to a nonbalanced amp. For now it is a nonissue as I plan to use the head amp and the RCA out will go to my speaker amp; but if I ever add a separate head amp to this I will need to use both analog outs, one to the head amp and one to the speaker amp.

Edit: I think any head amp I might add, like the Ifi Ican Pro, or even the Jot, would have balanced inputs, so should not be an issue in any event.

 

The manual says it's fine as long as you leave the cold pin on the XLR unconnected. (Page 51)

http://www.rme-audio.de/download/adi2dac_e.pdf

 

I actually find that confusing. Does “unconnected” mean (the wire connected to) pin 3 should be left floating, or can it be connected to ground? If the former, then it might require a custom adapter cable. If pin 3 can be shorted to ground, then something like the Neutrik adapter (http://www.neutrik.com/en/accessories/circular-adapters/na2fpmf) will work fine.