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RME ADI-2 DAC FS
2019 October, I bought this DAC. Soon after that, I discovered that it became difficult to buy this DAC. Then it became sold out. And I was happy that I had one. Then a version came out with a better remote control. I was less happy when I found out. So, I have the version with the AKM AK4490 DAC chip.
Volume Control With Auto Ref Level
A lot of DAC's have volume control. And most control this in the digital domain. The RME does that also and besides that, also have an 4 step hardware gain control for the line outputs. The steps are 6 dB. And as the name suggests, these gains are selected automatically while using the volume control. Example: if you want the output to be at -14 dB, then Auto Ref Level reduces the gain with 12 dB (= 2 x 6 dB) and the digital volume control cuts down the digital signal with only 2 dB. In theory this improves the signal to noise ratio (SNR) with 12 dB, in practise it is a little less, but still a huge improvement. Because there are 4 gains, there are 3 steps of 6 dB, resulting in a maximum theoretical SNR improvement of 18 dB. When using the volume control of this DAC as main volume control of your system, this can be a huge improvement in SNR. Especially when using this DAC with amps with high gain (then you need more attenuation).
High Sample Rate Capability
The ADI-2 DAC FS accepts sample rates up to 768 kHz. Although I don't have material with sample rates higher than 192 kHZ, this still can be an advantage. My DAC is feed by a signal coming from Roon. I use the DSP options in Roon. And when using higher sample rates, then the use of DSP is less degrading the signal. Thus, I first upsample the signals in Roon.
Headphone Outputs
This DAC has 2 very good headphone amplifiers, each with its own output. A high power amp behind the 6.3 mm output labeled PHONES. This amp has, just as Auto Ref Level, switchable gain together with switchable maximum power. And the second headphone amp is a very low noise amp on the 3.5 mm output labeled IEM. I always use the IEM output, it delivers enough power for my headphones and my taste of loudness.
Equalizer
The inbuild equalizer was one of the reasons that I bought this DAC. I am using it for a little bit amplitude linearization of the loudspeakers.
A Lot Of Other Features
For a complete list of features, please check the manual on the web site of the manufacturer. I have used the mono function a few times for testing purposes. Further, I have not used the extra features.
Menu
I cannot get used to the menu structure and the way to navigate through it with the buttons. But I almost never need to go into the menu, so it is not a big issue to me.
DSP Limitations
Although this DAC has a strong DSP, it has its limitations. When using this DAC at higher sample rates (like I do), then the amount of processing power available for DSP functionality gets limited. For details, see the manual.
First, this is a great DAC, I am still very happy with it.
Second, new cheaper DAC's have come to the market with also very good performance.
Third, if mine breaks down, I will be sad, then I buy the newest version with the ES9028Q2M DAC chip and I will be happy again.
RME - product page
Audio Science Review - review and discussion on version with AKM AK4490 DAC chip (like mine)
Audio Science Review - updated review and extra discussion on version with AKM AK4490 DAC chip (like mine)
Audio Science Review - review and discussion on version with AKM AK4493 DAC chip
Audio Science Review - comparison and discussion between version with AKM AK4493 DAC chip and version with ES9028Q2M DAC chip