RME ADI-2 DAC and Headphone Amp $999

euuser1423804

Jun 25, 2022 3:46 AM

112 Comments

Joined Jul 2011

euuser1423804Jun 25, 2022 3:46 AM

112 Comments

Nice DAC but I can't justify spending $1k on a DAC. Other than using tone controls, no human will be able to hear a difference between this and the SMSL Su-8pro for $160. This is just audio jewelry

Edit* this has a headphone amp built in so it isn't a direct comparison. I'm leaving the comment up so I can take my downvotes like a man

Last edited by skhurana June 25, 2022 at 06:25 AM.

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ocZZZ

Jun 25, 2022 4:09 AM

296 Comments

Joined Sep 2005

ocZZZJun 25, 2022 4:09 AM

296 Comments

Quote from skhurana

:

Nice DAC but I can't justify spending $1k on a DAC. Other than using tone controls, no human will be able to hear a difference between this and the SMSL Su-8pro for $160. This is just audio jewelry

I can hear the difference between a 200 dac/amp combo and an expensive dac. This really depends on the source and headphones. I'm using the Gustard A18 DAC and H16 Amp you can get for around 700-800 used. I've bought/sold many dac amps and this has been the best with Hifiman Anya v3/Stealth. I do have a hifiman ef400 [hifiman.com] on order. It has a new inhouse R2R DAC which looks pretty cool on paper - and on sale for 500 if you purchased hifiman headphones in the past and email them the receipt.

Last edited by ocZZZ June 24, 2022 at 09:37 PM.

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dumask

Jun 25, 2022 4:29 AM

464 Comments

Joined Nov 2015

dumaskJun 25, 2022 4:29 AM

464 Comments

Quote from skhurana

:

Nice DAC but I can't justify spending $1k on a DAC. Other than using tone controls, no human will be able to hear a difference between this and the SMSL Su-8pro for $160. This is just audio jewelry

You are comparing a DAC to a DAC/amp combo, so the price comparison isn't really fair.

But, I have this RME unit as well as a couple different Schiit stacks, a JDS Labs Element II, and a Burson Conductor 3X Reference.

And I totally agree that a DAC is a DAC past a certain point. This does have EQ though, so that sets it apart slightly if EQ is important to you.

3

euuser1423804

Jun 25, 2022 1:23 PM

112 Comments

Joined Jul 2011

euuser1423804Jun 25, 2022 1:23 PM

112 Comments

Quote from dumask

:

You are comparing a DAC to a DAC/amp combo, so the price comparison isn't really fair.

But, I have this RME unit as well as a couple different Schiit stacks, a JDS Labs Element II, and a Burson Conductor 3X Reference.

And I totally agree that a DAC is a DAC past a certain point. This does have EQ though, so that sets it apart slightly if EQ is important to you.

Good call, I didn't see this had a headphone amp built in. I'm comparing apples to a fruit salad 🤣.

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onpaws

Pro

Jun 25, 2022 2:07 PM

247 Comments

Joined Apr 2005

onpaws

Pro

Jun 25, 2022 2:07 PM

247 Comments

RME stuff is top notch. I love my babyface pro interface and the software and latency are all excellent.

If you're not into the ADI-2 and want another RME model, I would suggest buying it from Europe from Thomann. They ship directly into the US but have much more competitive prices (I assume RME requires all US dealers to honor a minimum price). Thomann is excellent and one of the largest music stores in Europe.

1

FtLaudDeal

Jun 25, 2022 7:40 PM

34 Comments

Joined Apr 2018

FtLaudDealJun 25, 2022 7:40 PM

34 Comments

I have the Black version. RME is expensive and sounds great. If your on a budget Schitt is the bedt bang for buck. Gains would be minimal honestly. I wanted a one and done unit after having fun buying lower priced gear and experimenting. Zero regrets after two years now. Got a wall of low to med level headphones and was able to stop buying after I splurged for the Clears. Amazing combo without color just clean audio. If you are serious about audio this is a great choice, but again is expensive.

3

srware

Jun 25, 2022 9:15 PM

47 Comments

Joined Jun 2018

srwareJun 25, 2022 9:15 PM

47 Comments

Quote from ocZZZ

:

I can hear the difference between a 200 dac/amp combo and an expensive dac. This really depends on the source and headphones. I'm using the Gustard A18 DAC and H16 Amp you can get for around 700-800 used. I've bought/sold many dac amps and this has been the best with Hifiman Anya v3/Stealth. I do have a hifiman ef400 [hifiman.com] on order. It has a new inhouse R2R DAC which looks pretty cool on paper - and on sale for 500 if you purchased hifiman headphones in the past and email them the receipt.

What did you compare to the Gustard?

pumin

Jun 26, 2022 1:10 AM

32 Comments

Joined Jul 2008

puminJun 26, 2022 1:10 AM

32 Comments

new model RME ADI 2/4 PRO SE DAC announced, but that's much more $ and comes with extra pro features.

2

Trickbenda

Jun 26, 2022 12:40 PM

651 Comments

Joined Nov 2016

TrickbendaJun 26, 2022 12:40 PM

651 Comments

Quote from skhurana

:

Nice DAC but I can't justify spending $1k on a DAC. Other than using tone controls, no human will be able to hear a difference between this and the SMSL Su-8pro for $160. This is just audio jewelry

Edit* this has a headphone amp built in so it isn't a direct comparison. I'm leaving the comment up so I can take my downvotes like a man

i have both and your Dreaming. What exactly are you basing this on since you dont own or have never listened to one. I love people that stay at Holiday Inn Express and think they know everything. I also own a a Chord dac and I guarentee you it sounds even more different then the RME. It has nothing to do with the chipset, its all about how its implimented. An expensive chipset poorly implemented is no better then a cheap chipset implemented flawlessly. The learning curve on this is like taking a college course.

Last edited by Trickbenda June 26, 2022 at 05:50 AM.

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IntelligentPerson

Jan 16, 2023 11:15 PM

78 Comments

Joined Nov 2022

IntelligentPersonJan 16, 2023 11:15 PM

78 Comments

Quote from skhurana

:

Nice DAC but I can't justify spending $1k on a DAC. Other than using tone controls, no human will be able to hear a difference between this and the SMSL Su-8pro for $160. This is just audio jewelry

Edit* this has a headphone amp built in so it isn't a direct comparison. I'm leaving the comment up so I can take my downvotes like a man

i agree and disagree with you. i too can't justify spending this much on a DAC, but when i compared this dac to my $100 schiit modi, there was a clear difference.

with that said, i respect you for the "i'm leaving the comment up so i can take my downvotes like a man". most people from other forums delete their downvoted posts to maintain high Like to Comment ratios. these people make me sick.

RME ADI-2 DAC and Headphone Amp $999

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