2. digital
  3. 164911-75156

A DAC that ought to be better known: RME

I just bought a RME ADI-2 DAC on the recommendation of some technological minded audiophiles on another site and am delighted with the sound quality and price point. It isn’t especially user friendly and the multi page user manual is complicated. Plus the DAC has equalization and a great headphone amp, all in a small package. I always thought the Exogal was a great performer but the RME strikes me as superior, especially considering the significantly lower price. I listen to a lot of chamber music and it conveys the timbre of the string instruments exceptionally well. Plus, for the first time in a long while I can actually read the screen and see what’s happening. If anyone out there is looking for a DAC this is worth at least investigating. 
rtorchia
mofojo
2,314 posts
 
@paulcreed 
It's not clear to me from your post if you thought the Teddy made a difference? 
paulcreed
569 posts
 
Mofojo, I did compare the Pardo vs stock after a few months of break in. Pardo expands soundstage, improved spl in the room, midrange became much more natural and put nice weight and body on the highs, it just made everything more musical, bigger and smoothed things out but your mileage may vary.

jjss49, I'm going to order the adapters just haven't got around to it. I have a lot of 6sn7's, ken rads, RCA gray glass and so on plus amprex, bugle boy,SQ's, valvo and many other 6922. I very interested where that would take the MHDT, thanks for the suggestion.

rtorchia's avatar
rtorchia OP
138 posts
 
For the first time ever I started using XLR balanced cables and put them on the RME, replacing my usual RCAs. A professional audio fellow told me always to get used to a given cable and then change them over one by one to notice the difference better. I know this is a touchy subject but I believe I can hear a difference. So I am very inclined to the PS upgrade after a while.
jjss49's avatar
jjss49
6,612 posts
 
paul

when you get the tube adapters from garage1217 please note one important thing... the pins on the adapters are LONG... too long... you should insert the tube into the adapter first, then carefully insert the adapter into the mhdt tube socket only about 1/2 in, not much more... if you insert the adapter pins in all the way there is a chance that you can break a solder connection below, and then, once the adapter is removed there will be a lost connection on one of the tube socket pin solder joints to the pcb underneath...
adg101
1,063 posts
 
rtotchia

I run my RME balanced out and others with a balanced preamp or amp should do the same, if their other components are truly a balanced design. You should notice a lower noise floor. When you compare the two cables, try doing it at a fairly low listening level getting the the level matched the best you can. I find running balanced I can listen at lower levels and it’s still as enjoyable. You really need two of the same cable to do a fair comparison, but I have had great results with even Canare balanced IC’s.
More to discover