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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
 
Just another sidebar note: RME is an outstanding company who works to improve their product with firmware upgrades on a regular basis.

Was on version 35/35 and just upgraded to Firmware Update ADI-2 DAC 66 / 41. 

You can read about the technical details here: 
https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?pid=176455#p176455

For my big tube monblocks system, this is not a small improvement. Again, I do not use a preamp and have the RME ADI-2 running direct to each of the tube monoblocks. (Many people I've seen were reluctant to remove a preamp but until they did, had no idea it was an impediment to the RME's performance until they did.)

In addition, I run the RME on battery power with a $100 unit that has given it a boost in sound quality. For the moment, I'm trying to wrap me head around the firmware upgrade. It's that significant.

Happy listening and good luck. 
nicktheknife OP
194 posts
 

@ romanesq

My unit uses the AKM chip and I'm not using the USB input as of present.  Will the firmware update affect my unit the way I'm presently using it?
paulcreed
559 posts
 
Nick, I don't know how other people run RME but I run everything flat. I would think most people don't use volume on RME going into a preamp, I could be wrong. I set mine to 0.0, anything above doesn't sound as natural in my system. Sometime I will back bass down to -0.5 and notice more detail maybe the bass is stepping on the information on some recordings but 98% of the time 0.0.


I also run balanced cables to preamp and also rca's to preamp out of the RME at the same time. Each cable has its own signature sound. My rca is a little warmer and rolled off so if I'm in the mood for a more rolled off sound I change inputs selection on the preamp for a different presentation.


Just learn to navigate the menu and use what sounds good to you, set up your EQ you can turn it off and on on the fly with the remote. I found that as little as RME is it still responds very well to footers and it's platform. 
paulcreed
559 posts
 
I might add this if you are flipping cables and gear around, in my system nothing sounds good for 24 to 48 hours running system 24/7 till things settle down again. Everything sounds thin and wrong.
nicktheknife OP
194 posts
 
Paul Creed,
I have the Rme input going into the Preamp using rca's.  I don't have a an extra pair of balanced cables so I have to wait to try the balanced outputs of the rme when a get dome cables. 
I mentioned that my preamp has two gain settings 18db and 12db. I'm using the 12db setting and keep the volume on the pre set at 25. Then I use the rme's volume function on the rme and rarely get up to or past 0.0. 
I don't know if that is ideal but I like using rme's volume control. 
I'm currently using the NOS filter and no EQ ... yet. 
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