RME ADI-2 DAC FS

RME ADI-2 DAC FS Overview

In 2016 RME released the RME ADI-2 Pro. With a lot of fresh ideas, innovative features and numerous useful functions it rolled up the AD/DA converter scene and quickly became a reference for both AD- and DA conversion. Equipped with two Extreme Power headphone outputs it also found its way into HiFi and home use, getting countless rave reviews for its sound, flexibility and technical prowess.

To address the home and HiFi users, RME exchanged some of the Pro's studio features with typical home and HiFi ones. With an adapted feature set and much simplified operation RME proudly presents the RME ADI-2 DAC FS. Built on the technology, concept and features of the ADI-2 Pro, the RME ADI-2 DAC FS concentrates on DA conversion in top high-end quality, along with two exceptional headphone and IEM outputs, and a dedicated infrared remote control, called the MRC (Multi-Remote-Control).

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 and optical (ADAT compatible) and USB to RCA, XLR, TRS and min-TRS.

As the most versatile DAC available, the RME ADI-2 DAC FS offers balanced/unbalanced analogue I/Os, an Extreme Power headphone output, a super low noise IEM output, SteadyClock FS, 4-stage hardware output level control, DSP-based signal processing, external power supply operation, Class Compliant USB compatibility, sample rates up to 768 kHz as well as DSD and Direct DSD playback.

The SPDIF input signal can even be recorded via USB - as one would expect from RME, the RME ADI-2 DAC FS is a true 2 channel Full Duplex audio interface.

Improving the 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 123 dBA, distortion less than -120 dB, or THD+N of -116 dB, the device delivers outstanding measured values, and allows the IEM output to reach a sensational low noise level of -121 dBu. In addition, there is +2.5 dB of digital headroom, so that high intersample peaks do not produce any audible distortion. The reserve in volume setting results in a still undistorted analogue output signal even at a volume setting of +2.5 dB.

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.

 

Super 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 not only a mobile alternative, but also an interesting solution in home.

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. Which was then confirmed in many reviews (most black background…). Even when used with IEMs.

Still RME wanted to make sure that even the most sensitive IEM combined with the most sensitive listener receive the full dynamic range on playback. Also capable outputs like the Extreme Power ones are not fully safe against operating errors and might blow up ears or IEMs.

RME's solution: adding the most advanced IEM output imaginable as second phones connection to the front of the RME ADI-2 DAC FS. Its ground noise floor is an astounding 10 dB lower than the one of the Extreme Power output (black hole background…), 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 just amazing. We're sure you will love it!

Lights Out!

A studio converter with all lights off? Defective. But on a DAC it was one of the most often requested features from our ADI-2 Pro HiFi customers. Here we go: display, function keys, volume knob, even the standby button - they all go off after 10 seconds of no user operation when AutoDark is activated in the unit's menu.

Touching any button or control will turn on all lights for 10 seconds. Using the remote AutoDark can also be switched off / on, and using any button on the remote turns lights on for 3 seconds. Once again: we're sure you will love it!

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New extended Multi-Remote Support (MRC)

The RME ADI-2 DAC FS comes with a remote that is not the usual cheap add-on. This nicely designed remote control has clearly labelled buttons, readable even in low light conditions without reading glasses, a nicely laid out button arrangement that is easy to remember, and perfect button ergonomics. Plus: It won't interfere with your ATV or other devices.

The RME MRC 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. There is no other converter or comparable device with such a sophisticated, easy to use and at the same time versatile remote control!

Note for owners of the previous remote: the new MRC is also available to purchase separately as an accessory. It can be used with all RME ADI-2 DAC FS models, even older ones, so long as they are equipped with the latest firmware (at least version FPGA 27, DSP 33).

SteadyClock FS

The RME ADI-2 DAC FS is the first device in RME's range with SteadyClock FS. There is not much to improve with SteadyClock, it has earned its accolades over years of flawless operation in numerous RME devices, guaranteeing that using the internal clock will produce exactly the same sound as when using an external one.

SteadyClock highly rejects jitter and handles all digital interface formats in an exemplary way. That's why SteadyClock's design and behavior didn't change in the DAC.

With SteadyClock FS the focus was put on reducing the self jitter of SteadyClock to new lows, by improving its second, analogue 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 (again).

The low phase noise oscillator driving the updated circuit reaches jitter specs lower than a picosecond (ps), an area called FemtoSecond. Hence SteadyClock FS.

Final Chord

The RME ADI-2 DAC FS includes an improved SteadyClock, a fine-tuned to perfection analogue circuitry, remote control, Extreme Power 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, the RME ADI-2 DAC FS is the ideal high-end centre-piece, from home listening to studio reference playback.

 

General

• Included power supply: external switching PSU, 100 - 240 V AC, 2 A, 24 Watts
• Standby power consumption: 120 mW (10 mA)
• Idle power consumption: 7 Watts, Max. power consumption: 18 Watts
• Idle current at 12 V: 570 mA (6.8 Watts)
• Dimensions (WxHxD): 215 x 52 x 150 mm (8.5" x 2.05" x 5.9")
• Weight: 1.0 kg ( 2.2 lbs)
• Temperature range: +5° up to +50° Celsius (41° F up to 122°F)
• Relative humidity: < 75%, non condensing

Digital Inputs

General

• Lock Range: 28 kHz – 200 kHz
• Jitter suppression: > 50 dB (2.4 kHz)
• Jitter when synced to input signal: < 1 ns
• Accepts Consumer and Professional format

SPDIF coaxial

• 1 x RCA, according to IEC 60958
• High-sensitivity input stage (< 0.3 Vpp)
• AES/EBU compatible (AES3-1992)

SPDIF optical

• 1 x optical, according to IEC 60958
• ADAT compatible

Analogue Outputs

XLR

• Output level switchable +19 dBu, +13 dBu, +7 dBu, +1 dBu @ 0 dBFS
• Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) @ +7/+13/+19 dBu: 120 dB RMS unweighted, 123 dBA
• Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) @ +1 dBu: 117 dB RMS unweighted, 120 dBA
• Frequency response @ 44.1 kHz, -0.1 dB: 0 Hz – 20.2 kHz
• Frequency response @ 96 kHz, -0.5 dB: 0 Hz – 44.9 kHz
• Frequency response @ 192 kHz, -1 dB: 0 Hz – 88 kHz
• Frequency response @ 384 kHz, -1 dB: 0 Hz – 115 kHz
• Frequency response @ 768 kHz, -3 dB: 0 Hz – 109 kHz
• THD @ 0 dBFS: < -120 dB, 0.0001 %
• THD+N @ 0 dBFS: -117 dB, 0.00014 %
• THD @ -3 dBFS: -116 dB, 0.00016 %
• Channel separation: > 120 dB
• Output impedance: 200 Ohm balanced, 100 Ohm unbalanced

RCA Outputs

As XLR outputs but:

• Output: 6.3 mm TS jack, unbalanced
• Output level 6 dB lower than XLR (-5 dBu to +13 dBu @ 0 dBFS)
• Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) @ +13 dBu: 120 dB RMS unweighted, 123 dBA
• Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) @ +1/+7 dBu: 115/118 dB RMS unw., 118/121 dBA
• Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) @ -5 dBu: 110.5 dB RMS unweighted, 114 dBA

Phones

As RCA outputs but:

• Output: 6.3 mm TRS jack, unbalanced, stereo
• Output impedance: 0.1 Ohm
• Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) @ +22 dBu: 120 dB RMS unweighted, 123 dBA
• Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) @ +7 dBu: 118 dB RMS unweighted, 121 dBA
• Output level at 0 dBFS, High Power, load 100 Ohm or up: +22 dBu (10 V)
• Output level at 0 dBFS, Low Power, load 8 Ohm or up: +7 dBu (1.73 V)
• THD @ +18 dBu, 32 ohm load, 1.2 watts: -120 dB, 0.0001 %
• THD+N @ + 18 dBu, 32 Ohm Load: -114 dB, 0.0002 %
• THD @ +14 dBu, 16 Ohm load, 0.94 Watt: -110 dB, 0.0003 %
• Max power @ 0.001% THD: 1.5 W per channel

IEM

• As Phones but:
• Output level at 0 dBFS: -3 dBu, 0.55 V
• Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) @ -3 dBu: 117 dB RMS unweighted, 120 dBA
• Max power, 8 Ohm, 0.001% THD: 40 mW per channel

Digital

• Clocks: Internal, SPDIF In
• Low Jitter Design: < 1 ns in PLL mode, all inputs
• Internal clock: < 800 ps Jitter, Random Spread Spectrum
• Jitter suppression of external clocks: > 50 dB (2.4 kHz)
• Effective clock jitter influence on DA conversion: near zero
• PLL ensures zero dropout, even at more than 100 ns jitter
• Additional Digital Bitclock PLL for trouble-free varispeed ADAT operation
• Supported sample rates for external clocks: 28 kHz up to 200 kHz
• Internally supported sample rates: 44.1 kHz up to 768 kHz

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