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RME ADI-2 fs DAC: Not Loving It

I took the plunge about 6 months ago and replaced my Peachtree DACiTx with ADI-2.  I got the DACiTx to play files via computer and from my old but beloved JVC XL-Z1050 CDP.  

Can't say that I've noticed a marked improvement using the RME over the Peachtree. 

I picked the RME because of the glowing reviews and the fact that it had DSP.  I'm 61 yrs. old and last time I had my ears checked I haven't really lost much in the high freq's. But, I thought that it was inevitable that I would and the EQ that RME has may be a bonus.

In reality, it is not very user friendly and I'm no techie.  I thought by playing with it for a while it would get easier but really all I want to do is listen to music.

I'm no longer using a computer but a Bluesound Node 2i for my files and also use Tidal.

Not really a headphone guy but thought it would be nice to have the option seeing that neither of my preamps have a headphone jack.  I was only using my headphones with portable devices.  

I have mostly listened to vinyl over the years but really wanted to upgrade my digital front end as I'm getting lazy in my old age. 

The rest of my system :

Preamps: 
Classe CP-50
Rogue Audio Model 99 Magnum

Power Amps:
McCormack DNA-0.5 Deluxe Edition 
Black Ice Audio Fusion 3502P

Speakers:
PBN DP's
ACI Titan II LE subwoofer

Still using the JVC as a CD transport.   
I usually mix and match tubes with solid state.  Right now I'm using the Classe Pre with Black Ice Audio tubed power amp.

The RME sounds rather neutral, lean and dry to my ears.  Nothing exciting.  It doesn't make me sit up and take notice like when I first added the Peachtree to my system.  I was like wow! This is what I been missing all these years.  So, I thought the RME would be a significant upgrade over the Peachtree.  So far, not impressed.  Maybe if I was headphone guy?  Can't comment there other than both headphone outputs work.  

Any suggestions on what to try or what direction I should take next? 
nicktheknife
romanesq
90 posts
 
Hi, please bypass the preamp. Tell us what happens. 

I have Ave the older version RME with AKM chip.  Also running very sensitive tube momoblock amps. Used to own the McCormack DNA-2 deluxe Rev. A with carbon wiring. 

 My system is very sensitive to changes. The RME is a major player and runs direct to the tube amp monoblocks with no preamp. Volume is handled by the RME.

Also now running the RME on batter power and in my system that was a nice bump. 

Bottom line, get the preamp out of the way. Let us know. If you are unsure about settings, just do a reset.

Lets see what happens. 
nicktheknife OP
194 posts
 
@ romanesq
I’ll have to give that a try as well although I have no plans to use it in my system that way as I need more inputs than the RME allows.


adg101
1,062 posts
 
Agree it would be nice if the RME had one or two more inputs. 
Post removed 
nicktheknife OP
194 posts
 
I listened yesterday after changing the filter from Sharp to NOS.  
It was so close between the RME and Peachtree I couldn't really discern a difference between the two.  The RME did sound better to me using the NOS filter than Sharp though.  

I'm going to use the balanced outputs of the RME directly to the amp today.

Double checked the settings to make sure everything is set where it should be.  

I'm getting a little better and familiar with navigating the display screen.

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