RME ADI-2 DAC FS 2-Channel DA Converter

The ADI-2 DAC is the home and hi-fi optimized version of the ADI-2 Pro, a studio AD/DA converter of the highest quality. The ADI-2 DAC FS includes an improved SteadyClock, a fine-tuned analog circuitry, remote control, headphone output and a very special IEM output. It has all the bells and whistles that made the ADI-2 Pro famous, including its perfectly transparent sound signature and full DSP processing with bass, treble, loudness, 5-band parametric EQ, crossfeed and much more. With its simplified operation and stunning design, it is the ideal centerpiece for home listening or studio referencing.

The DAC
Packed into the compact half 19” format factor, this little gem is filled with the finest high-end electronics, offering a reference class conversion from SPDIF coaxial, SPDIF optical (ADAT compatible) and USB to RCA, XLR, TRS and mini-TRS.

The ADI-2 DAC offers balanced/unbalanced analog I/Os, an Extreme Power headphone output, a low noise IEM output, SteadyClock FS, 4-stage hardware output level control, DSP-based signal processing and external power supply operation. It also offers class-compliant USB compatibility and sample rates up to 768kHz, as well as DSD and Direct DSD playback. The SPDIF input signal can even be recorded via USB. The DAC is a true 2-channel Full Duplex audio interface.

Improving DA
The updated ADI-2 DAC uses ESS's ES9028Q2M in a special circuit variant developed by RME engineers that allows the chip to perform at its best. With noise levels of 123dBA, distortion less than –120dB, or THD+N of –116dB, the device delivers outstanding measured values, and allows the IEM output to reach a sensational low noise level of –121dBu. In addition, there is +2.5dB of digital headroom, so that high intersample peaks do not produce any audible distortion. The reserve in volume setting results in a still undistorted analog output signal even at a volume setting of +2.5dB.

There are no significant changes in operation, features and behavior compared to the predecessor, which is why neither appearance nor name have changed. All differences are explained in the detailed manual of the ADI-2 DAC.

Low Noise for IEM lovers
The headphone revolution not only brought headphones but also IEMs (in-ear monitors) back into the attention of audiophiles and music lovers. Modern IEMs have a reference sound that easily competes with bulky over-ear headphones, making them a mobile alternative and an interesting at-home solution.

Modern IEMs are extremely sensitive and operate on very low voltages. As a side effect, they uncover the noise floor of the player, DAC or headphone amp. When RME developed its Extreme Power headphone stage, the basic noise floor was taken care to be as low as possible.

RME wanted to make sure that even the most sensitive IEM combined with the most sensitive listener receive the full dynamic range on playback. Capable outputs, like the Extreme Power, are not fully safe against operating errors and might blow up ears or IEMs. RME's solution: adding the most advanced IEM output as second phones connection to the front of the ADI-2 DAC. Its ground noise floor is an astounding 10 dB lower than the one of the Extreme Power output and output impedance is near zero Ohms. THD reaches new record lows, click-free on/off is included as well as volume ramp-up, and the sound quality with any IEM is amazing.

Lights Out
A studio converter with all lights off? Defective. But on a DAC it was one of the most requested features from ADI-2 Pro HiFi customers. Display, function keys, volume knob, and the standby button all go off after 10 seconds of no user operation when AutoDark is activated. Touching any button or control will turn on all lights for 10 seconds. Using the remote, AutoDark can also be switched off or on, and using any button on the remote turns lights on for 3 seconds. 

Special Features
The ADI-2 DAC comes with a remote. This nicely designed remote control has clearly labeled buttons that are readable even in low light conditions. The ergonomic remote also has a laid out button arrangement that is easy to remember. It won't interfere with your ATV or other devices.

New Extended Multi-Remote Support (MRC)
The ADI-2 DAC remote control provides buttons for standby on/off, volume, balance, bass and treble, input selection (optical, coaxial, USB), mute, on/off loudness, bass/treble and EQ. In addition, there are four programmable buttons that provide access to 32 different functions and commands for maximum flexibility.

SteadyClock FS
The ADI-2 DAC is the first device in RME's range with SteadyClock FS. SteadyClock highly rejects jitter and handles all digital interface formats. That's why SteadyClock's design and behavior didn't change in the DAC.

With SteadyClock FS, the focus was on reducing the self jitter of SteadyClock to new lows, by improving its second, analog PLL circuit, and referencing both Direct Digital Synthesis and PLL to a low phase noise quartz crystal. The self jitter measured through DA conversion now reaches levels that usually are only available in master quartz clock mode, while SteadyClock still always runs in PLL mode. No matter if internal or external clock, sound is exactly the same. The low phase noise oscillator driving the updated circuit reaches jitter specs lower than a picosecond, an area called FemtoSecond.

Bit Test
A bit test is used to check the playback path for unwanted changes in the playback data. Playback software can cut bits, add dither, or change the level—without these changes becoming noticed easily. A poorly programmed driver can manipulate bits, and a playback hardware could be both badly designed and defective (hanging bits, swapped bits). Even such features as proper channel assignment, left/right synchronicity and polarity can be tested by a well-made bit test. With a bit test, such errors can be detected and excluded.