I will admit, not user friendly.... it is a pro -sumer device. Its menu hierarchy is straight out of pro audio. Once you master navigation of the menu its much easier to dial in. Also try setting the output to Auto and then try the +1 dB, +5 dB, etc .... in my opinion this setting is the most important in getting good sound out of the DAC. If everything is set to default, no tone, eq , etc try each of the output levels . You will find the level that provides plenty of drive but doesn't overload the preamps or amps input.
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?
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?
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- 45 posts total
- 45 posts total