“Hopefully, they’ll forget they’ve lent it to me” – RME ADI-2 FS Review by Pro Tools Expert

Pro Tools Expert reviews the RME ADI-2 FS (Mastering AD/DA Converter).

Click here to read the full review

RME’s range of professional multi-channel audio interfaces already strike an excellent balance between cost and performance, with pristine sound quality* for recording and playback combining with powerful features like TotalMix FX, extensive connectivity options, and the ‘rock-solid’ reliability demanded by working audio professionals.

* Check out the sonic state review for an excellent discussion on RME’s sonic qualities

For the majority of users, an RME interface – such as the Babyface Pro FS, Fireface UFX+, or the new Fireface UCX II – will more than suffice. That being said, there are a few select applications that particularly benefit from a higher level of AD and DA conversion.

“I can confirm that the build quality of the ADI-2 FS unit I received lives up to RME’s reputation.”

Mastering of course springs to mind, where top-shelf AD/DAs tend to be par for the course. Indeed, mastering houses will often have a selection of high-end AD/DAs to choose from, to provide different ‘flavours’ depending on the project or style of music.

The RME ADI-2 Series is range of high-end AD and DA converters designed to meet this requirement, offering the best sound quality currently available from the German pro audio manufacturer. All three models that make up the current ADI-2 range – the ADI-2 FS, ADI-2 DAC FS and ADI-2 Pro FS R – feature exceptional sound quality, with more than one observer noting that the sound rivals that of far more expensive devices.

“Used as my stereo monitoring DA, I loved the sound of the RME”

The stripped-back ADI-2 FS in particular offers an especially affordable entry into the world of high-end audio conversion. This point was noted by mastering engineer Mike Thorne in his review for Production Expert, who refers to the device as “RME’s very reasonably priced AD/DA”.

Comparing the sound of the ADI-2 FS with his Avid / Burl / SSL AWS 900+ based setup, Mike concludes that “for mastering? I loved the RME. It was genuinely useful to have a different flavour of AD, in addition to the Burl and the quality is very good. Hopefully, they’ll forget they’ve lent it to me. Although probably not!”

Read the full review here

Find out more about the RME ADI-2 Series

Upgrading your existing interface with high-end AD/DA conversion

Of course, it’s not only mastering engineers who’ll benefit from having a high-end AD/DA solution. For recording engineers and music producers, upgrading your existing setup with a top-end AD/DA allows you to get the best out of your studio monitors and headphones. The ADI-2 FS offers exactly this in a relatively affordable package, not to mention the benefits of using RME’s SteadyClock FS technology for enhanced digital clocking.

See our video below for an introduction to pairing the ADI-2 FS with an existing audio interface.

See the full range of RME AD/DA Converters

See the full range of RME Audio Interfaces

5 Year Warranty (UK Only)

Over the past 20 years, the word ‘reliability’ has become synonymous with the RME Audio brand, thanks to both the exceptional build quality and the now industry-renowned, rock-solid drivers.

For this reason, we are happy to offer all of our UK customers a complimentary 5 year warranty on all RME products, when purchased either from ourselves, or from one of our authorised UK dealers, and remain the only interface manufacturer to offer this at no extra cost.

To activate your 5 year warranty, simply register your RME device with us within 30 days of purchase via our warranty page.

To ensure you are buying your device from a UK-based retailer, please check our list of authorised UK dealers before purchase.