RME ADI-2 Review | Reference Desktop DAC

[@zenstrata]

One of the nice things about this unit - it allows you to correct for various types of headphones. So if you are slightly unhappy with how your equipment sounds, you can use this DAC to make adjustments for the best listening experience. More options for the user is always a good thing.

[@UntakenNick]

That's absolutely true but only applies when listening from a source other than a PC.

[@zenstrata]

I like big manuals that fully explain all the features of the hardware.

[@jotwee63]

As shown in your video, I am using it also with Focal Utopia and am absolutely happy.

[@shonen84]

I just got this and I can confirm the pairing with the Clear MG is amazing. I had previously bought a Topping DX3 Pro+ . I liked it, it discernibly improved the sound on my Clear MGs. But the Adi-2 is on another level. Where the Topping is like a good chef cooking a dish following a good recipe, the RME is like Gordon Ramsey serving you a delicious steak. It’s not an exotic dish: the Adi-2 isn’t doing anything particularly flashy. But what it’s doing it’s doing incredibly skillfully. A more tangible example is when I listen to “Burn it all down” from PVRIS, and known as the 2021 League of Legends Worlds anthem. It combines very hot synth guitars with high energy female vocals. From most sources, it sounds like a hot mess, even on my Sony WM1Z Walkman. The Topping sounds fuller but still messy. But the Adi-2? I can finally appreciate the song without it sounding like a 128kbps MP3.

[@nikolaygramchev]

The RME hits very high above its price point. As a DAC it is highly balanced and versatile and paired with Burson Soloist 3X Performance you have a real TL stuck.

[@BloomAudio]

For sure, and pairing this with a dedicated headphone amp really takes it to the next level.

[@danielhojda9072]

Can You conect RME to the Notebook Windows via USB A cable ?

[@ssjyash]

Could you recommend a "holographic imaging" dac? I'm looking for one which portraits spaciousness and great imaging

[@BloomAudio]

For imaging, I always find Chord to be king. The Qutest would be the one closest in price to the RME. For the price, it's hard to beat the RME there.

[@lamgmtgroup258]

For the Meze elites, do you recommend going to the high power setting?

[@ralphwarren]

Nice review, thank you. You mentioned "moderately-sized sound stage". Can I ask, what DAC or DACs have a large/wide/3D-holographic in your opinion ...under $2K USD if possible. Thank you.

[@BloomAudio]

So when I think of holographic imaging in a DAC, the Chord Qutest is the gold standard. I would say that the RME is among the best at the $1000 price point.

[@ronenbuium7699]

According to owner, the ESS version (v3 DAC): Without the fatiguing brightness of the AKM version. Thanks

[@ronenbuium7699]

Hello, In music streamer in general, does the Coax Audio Output is SPDIF Coax? Thanks

[@BloomAudio]

Yes, the Digital Coax connection is S/PDIF for this and most other similar products.

[@marc8vino]

The newer ASI 2/4 seems like a big upgrade with better chip sets, headphone amps, and even more flexibility...but it's also $2,500.00. It works great for my needs.Hifi Arya stealths and focal clear mgs and all the other phones sound great. The main outs going through a Drawmer MC3.1 to the new updated Focal 6 be's everything is great. Monitors sound even better straight into the Focal's. I just wish the headphone amps had their own volume controls that would prompt the main menu. Then all in's and outs could be used independently.I can use the headphone amps on the Drawmer for more control For now it's great.

[@lastcall9998]

I find all the things you said about it contrary. If you can get your hands on an M4 Motu interface, just check the bass how you can really tell the lines of a song. The kick is never missing also. High and mid highs sound way better. I am trying to get rid of mine asap, or it will end up as a paper weight. Listening through a pair of HD820.

[@grimm_8819]

Thanks for help purchasing this exact unit!

[@eduardohiramoto3176]

I’m interested in a comparison of this RME to the Astell Kern Acro CA1000, since the RME can also be powered by batteries and have EQ capabilities (I’m not sure if Acro CA1000 eq can be used when it is being used as a dac or just as a DAP). I would be happy if you could compare them side by side. My intention is to use it with an HD800s and maybe something from Meze or ZMF.

[@beercn2]

Great video man. Is the audio in your face, energetic, fun tuned, and engaging?

[@BloomAudio]

So, basically yes, if you want it that way. Out of the box, it's a neutral/reference tuning. With EQ - or even just the Bass/Treble knobs, you can dial it in to have a really fun dynamic sound.

[@danieloherrick6332]

Is the headphone amp the same in the Pro version? Thanks

[@bertraminc9412]

Interesting that on the box the eq leds are orange but they are green as you use it. Can you change that?

[@ralph17p]

Yep - it's an LCD display. The settings for the bars can be set to green, cyan, amber, red, orange or white.

[@bertraminc9412]

@@ralph17p Gotta love German design! Wonderful!

[@erikmetzler4308]

Great, informative review; it's quite thorough about how well this drives headphones; however, I'm thinking of using this as a DAC between my music server laptop and a PrimaLuna integrated preamp/amp which already has a great headphone output itself. My question is this: do the EQ settings modify the line output? Thanks, anyone?!

[@BloomAudio]

Yes, you can EQ the line out, and there are separate EQ settings for each output that automatically switch based on your selected output, so you can EQ each device separately.

[@Alexander-zs5rj]

I bought on it‘s soon 1 Year old, after Burn-in times it sounds even better. Updates are going like it good. the setup impacts is huge. i will in future it use more as a beside part at my home hifi. it will set on top as a pre amp and i will buy one or two amplifier. What you need must have For PC , Smartphone (apple need camera adapter a original one with extra usb c) Clearaudio Cinnamon or Better . For vibration and other noises from shaking holding away a Marmor or Granite plate and rubber balls which like those under Subwoofer are . RME (Engineering’s ,Production and some Parts) are maybe as proud of it that it becomes our 3 Colors Flag on the back 😉 or an easteregg thing.. ?! My decision came after amazo* and other hifi shops comments mostly from Pro Audio Guys , producer, mastersound mixing like and one other who bought DAC after DAC and he could cry throw away more as 10k over decades throw away if he got noticed that is more as a headphone amp. And the many used for step by step to have money and sound improvements DAC‘s from shenzenaudio mostly different brands entry to high end (denafrips) but he had issues by High End Headphones , and his home hifi Loudspeakers Sounding than like i notice by my own too like complete other higher level ones. The Adi-2 is for me best choice , notice the professionally Mastering , Soundstage live and other impact that i couldn’t ignore it „Endgame Hifi Part“ by following other HiFi components which upcoming and hope that in future the money is even much more for expensive things and not a the only blockade the willingness is there😂😅the hope too. example an Amplifier SPL S1000 One or Two of it 😮😊

[@tnarch]

I would disagree at some points… it is not so smooth at top end, and soundstage is very big, but without depth. I am talking for the Ess version. However it is a great all around device, as you mentioned…

[@BloomAudio]

Thanks for the feedback! It may be that some of my DAC comparisons tended toward a brighter treble rather than a neutral one, so I heard it as a little "smooth." In terms of the treble, what I did feel was that it mitigated brightness in some headphones rather than making them feel more bright.

[@bertraminc9412]

When the Germans manufacture from design all the way to support with no outsourcing, everything you get is second to none. Outsourcing any aspect kills every aspect of the development because no one in the system cares any more. THIS is how you buy.

[@aussie8114]

Too complicated to use.

[@ixoye56]

Only for people that doesn't bother to read manuals.

[@metastaticmince2386]

it's actually simple - plug and play...Only you could RYFM to do more :-) and the manual is ridiculously exeptionally good

[@craigboyd6600]

Agreed

[@rodpinfold8824]

Everyone is left to their individual level of tech retrieval from the ADI 2, if plug and play then do it, if you want to eq and become a Jedi master of sound it does that too. RME does videos to explain every menu / headphone setup option. Golf or Ferrari 🤷‍♂️