RME ADI-2 Pro Discussion Thread

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

  1. uelover

    uelover New

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    I have been switching to and from every now and then to compare the following:

    1. Macbook Pro 2017 (with USB C adapter) --> TotalDAC D1 USB Cable --> RME ADI-2 Pro
    2. Macbook Pro 2017 (with USB C adapter) --> TotalDAC D1 USB Cable --> Schiit Etir --> DH Labs D750 Coax Cable --> RME ADI-2 Pro
    Setup 1 sounded more upfront in its presentation and maybe more neutral, but slightly grainy

    Setup 2 sounded more laidback in its presentation, but smoother without grain (akin to the effects of anti-aliasing being applied?)

    I am unable to decide which one I prefer more, but am leaning closer to (2) just because it sounded less fatiguing for listening. For monitoring usage I would lean towards (1).
     
  2. ilcg1

    ilcg1 Acquaintance

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    I've been living with RME Adi-2 Pro for a couple of weeks now and really like it as a combo. I purchased it without listening based on @sorrodje @Armaegis @atomicbob @Changeling and other folks impressions, since I couldn't find where to listen it locally without purchasing first (and it's in Toronto - 3rd largest city in North America). I was looking for a combo unit for quite some time to be an upgrade to my Schiit stack (Eitr/Modi Multibit/Vali 2). I thought that Metrum Amethyst will do it, however amp section there was holding back the DAC a lot. It was listenable with TH900, however not so with HD800.

    As a combo Adi-2 Pro is more on analytical/neutral side of things and is very very detailed. Loudness feature is really awesome since I listen at low volumes at work. Pro along with @atomicbob IVS creates very pleasant listening experience. So far I like what I hear a lot and most likely won't be looking at anything else for quite some time. I haven't done the PRT yet and plan on doing so soon. I think Adi-2 Pro and System Synergy threads are ones with the least noise and free of fanboyism and schilling.

    I don't understand how one person's opinion (after 1 minute of listening) could have derailed the other thread, even if its an opinion of a very respected (or probably the most respected) person on this forum. It really showed that many Friends don't have their own opinion and will go with the flow.

    On the other hand there are guys who looks like will stick to their personal preferences regardless, which means SBAF is not completely screwed up after all. Only time will show and a number of Adi-2 Pros/DACs for sale (or lack of) here or/and on Head-Fi.
     
  3. SineDave

    SineDave Friend

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    Everyone has their own preferences. Each individual tends to like a certain sound signature, based on past comments by Marv very neutral/analytical stuff is usually not his speed whereas I tend to prefer neutral/analytical gear, so I really like the ADI2-Pro for example. I think this place generally has three groups, vinyl/tube/class A lovers, middle of the roaders who go with what they like on both sides, and then the objective/analytical folks.

    I agree that there is a slight tendency for the opinions of certain folks around here to sway others, but that's largely because many folks just can't hear the gear themselves. I am an unapologetic Class D fan, even though many here hate it. That's fine, I know what I like, and you should endeavor to do the same.
     
    Last edited: Mar 1, 2018
  4. k.e.

    k.e. Winning combo: narcissistic and stupid

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    He did not form his opinion after one minute of listening. That would have been unprofessional. Not to mention setting up the device takes quite a while even if you read the manual beforehand.

    Anyway, he already had his opinion before he even listened to it. So 1min was already too much.
     
  5. Cellist88

    Cellist88 Friend

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    hmmm I dunno. I usually form my opinion pretty quickly too. There is a saying in the music world. You only have to hear the opening note of a performance to know if you'll like it or not. Of course its exaggerated, but seriously 20-30 secs is enough for me to judge a musicians general playing level.

    When you listen to something and it has characteristics that you don't like that pop out instantly....it doesn't take much to form an opinion. I guess its even easier if you use the same test tracks over and over again for evaluating gear as its more stable than someone giving a performance of the same piece(never the same).

    Think about it this way. I guess I have bias against sabre dacs as I expect to hear that grating glare. So there is a new sabre dac that everyone is raving about and you hear it for a minute. You hear that glare like any other sabre dac. You are entitled to think....yeah its no different than other sabre dacs...sounds grating...hard pass. I don't think I have to or want to go through a whole 2 weeks of listening to it to try to give it a fair evaluation and be "professional" when I already know I don't like it. Hope this illuminates the point enough to work logically for you.
     
  6. thegunner100

    thegunner100 Hentai Master Chief

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    Once you've gotten accustomed to a certain sound, it takes less than a minute to decide if you like it or not. I can't claim to be able to listen as critically as the other senior members, but I know what I like and don't like. I can tell if I like something or not quite easily, but I can't critically evaluate unless it's with familiar music in my own time, and with my own gear in the chain.

    There is no need for marv to be "professional" about anything. This forum isn't his job.
     
  7. dmckean44

    dmckean44 In a Sherwood S6040CP relationship

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    20-30 seconds is enough to hear if something is obviously wrong with a piece of equipment. But I have to run it through all my test CDs plus do a week or two of general listening to really evaluate something that passes the 20-30 second test.
     
  8. k.e.

    k.e. Winning combo: narcissistic and stupid

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    Ok, then let me rephrase that: Why would you think somebody's ears, who has proven multiple times that he has a very crooked perception of neutrality and clearly favors warm (headphones, IEMs and amps), can pick up a flaw within seconds that other (trained) ears have missed for over a year? (And of course some of the beast technical measurements speak against it also.)

    Marv's opinion is the most biased ever. Followed by mine which comes second. :D

    P.S.: HD 660 S owns HD 650. Gonna go get some popcorn now. (Edit: Never noticed this forum auto-removes emojis before.)
     
  9. ButtUglyJeff

    ButtUglyJeff Stunningly beautiful IRL

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    ^^^ front page news on HF right there...

    Seriously, can we not let this thread go down the toilet too.
     
  10. sorrodje

    sorrodje Carla Bruni's other lover - Friend

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    Keep this thread on track fellas . Thks.

    Nobody cares about what you think about other opinions. Opinions are opinions.
     
  11. Cellist88

    Cellist88 Friend

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    Great man! Be glad you have better ears that are trained and have the capability to enjoy the 660s over 650. No one is gonna convince you otherwise.

    I think the point is to learn and understand preferences of different people on the forum and see how your preferences align. Its not a place to inflate one's ego saying one's opinion is right/better over the other because you think you can hear better.

    I guess Marv's a pleb in your eyes. Then just ignore him. I think the fault is that you place too much importance on his opinion which he is entitled to have.
     
  12. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

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    Fixed that for you.
     
  13. PTS

    PTS Friend

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    I agree with Sorrodje, let's get back to hearing about opinions other than Marv's. He didn't like the headamp aspect, and eventually gave articulate answers to why. The end.
     
  14. k.e.

    k.e. Winning combo: narcissistic and stupid

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    I missed that. Might have been deleted with the 2 pages that got removed. Or do you consider "digital glare" as an "articulate answer"? No idea what that is supposed to mean. Would like to know what I have to train my ears for to detect artificial timbre in an DAC that measures dead flat and has super low noise floor.
    What headphones was he using? Let me guess... :D
     
  15. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    That's because you are dumb and have bad hearing.

    How to train your ears to detect this:

    Step 1 - Don't be you.
     
  16. PTS

    PTS Friend

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    Page 11, post #212 on the DAC thread. He expands on his thoughts.
     
  17. Torq

    Torq MOT: Headphone.com

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    Start here.

    Tell them "SBAF" sent you.

    You'll fit right in.
     
  18. elguapo

    elguapo Gringos falling from the skys

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    @k.e. It's interesting that you always appear whenever there is any potential slight to a German company. Could be your own biases are showing.
     
  19. lm4der

    lm4der A very good sport - Friend

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    They weren't removed, they were just moved to a new thread.
     
  20. k.e.

    k.e. Winning combo: narcissistic and stupid

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    Interesting. Is it? I have to admit, I mostly review German gear: Sennheiser, beyerdynamic, Lake People, Meier Audio Corda, RME, lb acoustics, InEar, and I am also very familiar with every IEM brand in Germany incl. VE, Hörluchs and rhines. But do they all get off easily? I really don' think so. Some of them got a hard beating.

    I think it mostly has to do with locality. ;)
    BTW, I am mostly known for Chinese gear instead of German gear - it’s only that I recommend it less often so maybe that’s why you detect “bias”? :p
     
    Last edited: Mar 1, 2018

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