RME ADI-2 Pro Discussion Thread

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

  1. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    I have not compared stuff in awhile as I left ProAudio for IT work, but I remember the only A/D that came close was the Lavery converters. However, the Lavery's, like the Apogee, always sounded colored to me somehow. The RME always sounded much truer to the original source.
     
  2. TheBrightSide

    TheBrightSide New

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    I went from the original ADI-2 to the Pro.
    The improvement in both AD/DA is significant, and I’m someone who doesn’t usually hear a big difference in converters.
     
  3. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    am hopeful of hearing the RME ADI-2 DAC once they begin to deliver.
    thanks to EU folks keeping tabs and report here when possible.
     
  4. Jozurr

    Jozurr Facebook Friend

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    Between the ADI-2 Pro and the 1541, which one did you enjoy listening to more? Im trying to choose between the two as well but can't decide which one is better.
     
  5. Jozurr

    Jozurr Facebook Friend

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  6. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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  7. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

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    Depends on how you wish to look at the answer. I have spent far more time listening with the ADI-2 Pro as it has been here for several months now, in fairly constant use. The DAC1541 was only in my lab a short while for measurements and brief listening. It impressed me enough, especially the SE output to order a DAC1421, which has yet to arrive. So I am deriving more enjoyment quantity from the RME. When both units have been in my lab awhile I will be in a better position to compare the two.

    Very important to note I use both the ADC and DAC on the ADI-2 Pro. I am often measuring sound system performance with a microphone, via True Systems P-Solo mic preamp, making quick device measurements with HpW-Works when not wanting to set up the dScope, or recording voice for dialog. So the ADI-2 Pro is of great utility to me. Most recreational listeners will be better served with the DAC only version.

    Last thought. I am hypothesizing the DAC1421 will pair quite well with my Liquid Crimson especially for resolution; will find out when it arrives. ADI-2 Pro exhibits great synergy with BH Crack, non-speedball, my particular set of PS choke and signal cap mods, Tungsram e80cc and Chatham 2399. Built in SS amp is also very nice. So I have Tube or SS as I wish in a reasonably sized desktop footprint. Crack goes with me enough places to have its own padded carry case.
     
  8. Changeling

    Changeling Tube Slut

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    I actually consider buying ‘back’ the Vali2 for moments when a bit of tube flavor is wanted with the clean (some say cold) ADI-2 Pro. But then again it’s down the rabbit hole with tubes again and I’ve just spent about $800 on jazz box sets for Christmas. (Yes yes I buy Christmas gifts for myself, wrap them too...)
     
  9. mitochondrium

    mitochondrium Friend

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    Hi,

    Adi in the house. I like it. I got a bit of a cold so I can’t pronounce myself yet. As a technical guy I just love all the features it has. I already recorded an LP using the AD sounds good. I plan to digitise all my LPs. I guess some of the stuff will be better than the corresponding digital releases due to the higher DR. It is easy to get lost in the menus and submenus but is well worthwhile.
    I am a speaker only guy, so the improved connectivity for headphones of the DAC version is of no importance to me. The Adi if it stays will live in a closet, so whether you can turn off the display or not does not make a difference. I even prefer the Pro’s looks. I generally find differences between DACs subtle. The reason may be that my listening room has a RT60 of under 0.3 s down to about 200 Hz and I use DRC to even out the existing asymmetries of left and right channel. Some time ago I had a Gungnir Multibit in the house and the differences with my Armature Cronos (Denafrips Ares clone) were so small that in my mind it did not warrant the price difference between the two units. Whether the Adi is an improvement over the Cronos soundwise remains to be seen. Feature wise it is in a different ballpark. I have a Dac 1421 on order and I will have to decide whether I should cancel the order. Three DACs would be a touch to much.
     
  10. sorrodje

    sorrodje Carla Bruni's other lover - Friend

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    IMO the little Vali2 does not bring much compared to the RME amplifier. I don"t think the litlle piece of schitt is tubey enough and I think the ADI2 pro is a better amp. I'd grab something else if I were you. Probably more expensive nevertheless. It depends on the headphone you want to use with this tube amp though.

    I lived with the RME only during the last three months cuz my Stratus was packed during some work in our house. I unpacked and plugged it 2 days ago. I was honestly thinking to sell the Stratus considering I was really happy with RME amp but no. I still prefer ( and consider as a better amp for my HD800) the Stratus by a significant enough margin to keep it. My Stratus conveys so much more clarity and much greater perceived micro and macro dynamics :) .

    RME ADI2pro + DNA Stratus + HD800SDR/EQed is end-game for my tastes and specifically the RME killed any interest in any other dac . Not to say it beats them all but I'm convinced I would be unable to hear significant differences between good dacs and the RME offers so many features.. it's insane and I think it's my Digital hub in my system for the years to come.
     
    Last edited: Jan 6, 2018
  11. Changeling

    Changeling Tube Slut

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    Good to hear. Not sure I’d be spending that kind of money on a tube amp and tubes. It’s too damn difficult for me to stay away from buying tubes as it is. I wouldn’t be looking for power at all, only a bit of glow I guess. Good to hear the mileage needed is long and expensive. Makes it a bit easier to stay away.

    Also, perfectly happy with the HD800 and Genelec 2+1 combo as it is.

    All well :)

    Back to jazz buying.
     
  12. abhinit90

    abhinit90 New

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    P.S: I don't find the RME cold, especially with the Beyer T1.2s

    I dislike the RME just because it makes my UE 900s sound so much vulgar.
     
  13. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

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    Precisely why my pairing of BH Crack with ADI2 Pro. Crack, no speedball and my mods, give the tubey complement to the SS output. Tube or Not Tube, whichever is the question.
     
  14. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    Just just poking around on the Innerfidelity site and had an ADI-2 sighting on his headphone measurement rig:

    (bottom left)

    [​IMG]
     
  15. gbeast

    gbeast Mighty Moral Power Ranger

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    ADI 2 DAC inbound. Don't know how it will compare to the ADI 2 PRO and have no way to compare them so that will be something I am very curious about
     
  16. Luckbad

    Luckbad Traded in a unicorn for a Corolla

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    How'd you get it?

    EDIT: Looks like ZenPro Audio actually has them in stock now instead of on preorder. I don't see them available anywhere else (didn't look very hard), but I gave them a call and they actually do have them.

    EDIT #2: Starting a thread for the ADI-2 DAC since it's a very different product.
     
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2018
  17. PTS

    PTS Friend

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    Being a longtime RME fan (owned the Babyface for years) I've just jumped onto the ADI-2 Pro wagon. Being a fan of black, I also managed to snag myself an Anniversary Edition.

    Question - those who are taking the dual output balanced headphone route, does it matter which type of adapter you use? Can it be A, or does it have to B with female 4-pin XLR to double the power?

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  18. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    It's almost always B. Option A shorts both negative signals together and depending on the amp it can damage it.
     
  19. Garns

    Garns Friend

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    There is a diagram on p.40 of the manual of how the cable should be wired up. Personally I would not trust any prebought cable to have the correct pinout since it is not really a standard adapter. I would ask blue jeans or redco to make one up to that spec.
     
  20. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    And double check with a multimeter...
     

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