Not knowing exactly, but assuming your setup and demands...
An ADI-2 DAC FS would have given you volume control, a remote and a lot of useful features:
- 4 reference levels
- auto reflevel
- dynamic loudness
- PEQ for normalizing headphones or to perform bass correction for the room
- a very nice ADI-2 Remote Application to remote control ADI-2 DAC FS, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, ADI-2/4 Pro SE

Computer--------USB-----------ADI-2 DAC FS--------------Mono Poweramps
                                              Volume Control
                                              4 reference levels
                                              Auto Ref Level to keep SNR/Dynamic high over a wider range
                                              Remote
                                              ADI-2 Remote SW

As mentioned, I assume he has the ADI-2 DAC.

If it‘s really the ADI-2 FS (the one without LCD display), either:
• the preamp needs to stay,
• or the headphones output has to be used for driving the power amps, which is a valid option.

Oh sorry, bad me. I read your text wrong, I still read ADI-2 FS instead of ADI-2 DAC FS. Now it makes sense.

If it‘s really the ADI-2 FS (the one without LCD display), either:
• the preamp needs to stay,
• or the headphones output has to be used for driving the power amps, which is a valid option.

rlrbiking wrote:

I have ordered rme 2 Adi Fs. I want to use with my existing set up. I have a 2.1 preamp with digital inputs. And a pair if mono  power amps.   what’s the best way to use rme 2FS ADI.   Directly to power amps or thru preamp. Which gives better music reproduction. Mostly streamed music. By Apple iTunes. Pl.

I assume you have the ADI-2 DAC.

In this case, less is more.
ADI-2 can do everything the preamp can, if all your sources are digital.

So, direct connection ADI-2 to power amps is the cleanest signal path.

Where does he control the volume then?
Mono amplifiers usually have no volume control.
And according to the manual it seems, that the volume knob on the ADI-2 FS is only for the monitoring via headphones.
I regard it as quite dangerous for ears and equipment only having to trust the digital volume control on the computer side, be it a mixer or the application.

Have you taken this into account in your considerations, Kai?

I have ordered rme 2 Adi Fs. I want to use with my existing set up. I have a 2.1 preamp with digital inputs. And a pair if mono  power amps.   what’s the best way to use rme 2FS ADI.   Directly to power amps or thru preamp. Which gives better music reproduction. Mostly streamed music. By Apple iTunes. Pl.

I assume you have the ADI-2 DAC.

In this case, less is more.
ADI-2 can do everything the preamp can, if all your sources are digital.

So, direct connection ADI-2 to power amps is the cleanest signal path.

Did I guess correctly that you are talking about the ADI-2 FS? Sorry, but you are using different fantasy names, this is irritating.

Please list the exact names of the devices in your setup.
Provide a connection diagram including the computer and
information about the type of connection (USB, optical or coaxial SPDIF).

Where do you feel limited by the current setup, what should the ADI-2 FS solve?

I question myself two things (and I hope the list of devices and connection diagram makes things clearer)

Case A) assumed the ADI-2 FS would replace the preamp.
From the manual, it appears that the ADI-2 FS has only a fixed volume for the XLR and TRS outputs.
Which means, you can't control the volume with the ADI-2 FS.
As power amps have no volume pot you would still need your Preamp, but then look at B) below.
Then I think the ADI-2 FS makes no sense in the setup.

Case B) Assumed the Preamp stays in front of the mono power amps and that ADI-2 FS is connected via optical SPDIF to your computer and has to perform the D/A conversion.
I see the following disadvantage: where is the benefit of high quality D/A conversion of the ADI-2 FS, if you connect it to the preamp, which might have lower quality? Does this make any sense? No.

Please deliver more details as requested.
Currently I have the 1st impression, that the ADI-2 FS doesn't bring you any benefit
as it can't replace the preamp which is needed for volume control of the mono power amps:

Case A)

Computer------SPDIF (opt. or coax.)------ADI-2 FS--ANA (XLR or TRS)-------------------Mono Poweramps
                                                             D/A conversion here
                                                            But no volume control
Volume control only possible
in the computer or the application.
Mighe be dangerous for your ears and setup

Case B)

Computer------SPDIF (opt. or coax.)------ADI-2 FS---ANA--------------------2.1 Preamp------------------Mono Poweramps
                                                               D/A conversion                      Volume control

Volume control by 2.1 preamp, but quality degradation of the audio signal most likely.
The possibly higher D/A conversion quality of the ADI-2 FS doesn't bring a benefit here.

Alternatives

Not knowing exactly, but assuming your setup and demands...
An ADI-2 DAC FS would have given you volume control, a remote and a lot of useful features:
- 4 reference levels
- auto reflevel
- dynamic loudness
- PEQ for normalizing headphones or to perform bass correction for the room
- a very nice ADI-2 Remote Application to remote control ADI-2 DAC FS, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, ADI-2/4 Pro SE

Computer--------USB-----------ADI-2 DAC FS--------------Mono Poweramps
                                              Volume Control
                                              4 reference levels
                                              Auto Ref Level to keep SNR/Dynamic high over a wider range
                                              Remote
                                              ADI-2 Remote SW

Alternatively these reference converters with even more features:
- ADI-2 Pro FS if you need also analog inputs or want to connect two headphones or balanced headphones
- ADI-2/4 Pro SE if you want to have more advanced features like connecting a turntable, even 5 reference levels, etc

Please check these information:
https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=32506
https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/Ent … ses-EN-DE/

Benefits of Auto Reflevel, see this Excel:
https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/attachme … v003-xlsx/