Berthold Collins wrote:

RME Support wrote:

AK5572 and AK4490, same as the ADI-2 Pro FS.

The very first revision, yes.

I did a comprehensive comparison ADI-2 Pro silver face 1st generation, vs ADI-2/4 Pro SE, which even is old AKM vs new ESS chips.

It was a precisely (within a few 1/100th dB) level matched blind A/B with statistical score.
The simple question asked: which one sounds better.
Took about half a day of listening to a broad spectrum of music styles and thousands of switchings back and forth.

Result was as close as it can get:
49:51 hits for each (don’t ask which was which).

In fact it was impossible to distinguish between the two – once I thought I had nailed the difference (blindly), when revealing the assignment it was 50:50 I was right.
There was no certain characteristics that would have made it possible to identify one unit.

On paper the converter chips get better and better here and there, in small increments.

Practically, we have long reached such a high quality level that audible improvements are hard to achieve with neutral and transparent sounding devices.

If someone needs something different, EQ and effects processing is the way to go.

I've actually tested this exact example on other models.
When comparing the AKM vs. ESS versions of the Babyface Pro FS, the ESS version sounds slightly brighter—by about 1 to 2%.
Then, when I compared the ESS-based Babyface Pro FS against the UCX II, the sound was almost indistinguishable (though the UCX II has a slightly larger waveform).
That part is actually pretty fascinating.

very interesting - what components did you use an which headphone?

AUDEZE LCD 4, Hifiman HE 1000 original.

RME Support wrote:

AK5572 and AK4490, same as the ADI-2 Pro FS.

The very first revision, yes.

I did a comprehensive comparison ADI-2 Pro silver face 1st generation, vs ADI-2/4 Pro SE, which even is old AKM vs new ESS chips.

It was a precisely (within a few 1/100th dB) level matched blind A/B with statistical score.
The simple question asked: which one sounds better.
Took about half a day of listening to a broad spectrum of music styles and thousands of switchings back and forth.

Result was as close as it can get:
49:51 hits for each (don’t ask which was which).

In fact it was impossible to distinguish between the two – once I thought I had nailed the difference (blindly), when revealing the assignment it was 50:50 I was right.
There was no certain characteristics that would have made it possible to identify one unit.

On paper the converter chips get better and better here and there, in small increments.

Practically, we have long reached such a high quality level that audible improvements are hard to achieve with neutral and transparent sounding devices.

If someone needs something different, EQ and effects processing is the way to go.

AK5572 and AK4490, same as the ADI-2 Pro FS.

The very first revision, yes.

There isn't much to change or improve here, the feature set is limited, it's just an AD/DA converter. Don't hesitate if it suits your needs.

It could just become a better AD/DA converter... to match the quality of the other units ;-)...

RME Support wrote:

There isn't much to change or improve here, the feature set is limited, it's just an AD/DA converter. Don't hesitate if it suits your needs.

Hello Daniel, thank you for the prompt and informative response!

As a quick aside, I am having trouble finding information regarding the chip components used for AD/DA for the ADI 2 FS. Is there anywhere you or anyone else might direct me to find this information?

Thank you ever so much!

I also have one on hand. But I estimate that down the line, if they upgrade the clocks batch by batch, we’ll more likely see products like:

Babyface Pro EX
UFX EX
802 EX
UCX EX
ADI-2 EX

...unless they stick with the FS clock for more than 10 years."

There isn't much to change or improve here, the feature set is limited, it's just an AD/DA converter. Don't hesitate if it suits your needs.

Hello Daniel, thank you for the prompt and informative response!

As a quick aside, I am having trouble finding information regarding the chip components used for AD/DA for the ADI 2 FS. Is there anywhere you or anyone else might direct me to find this information?

Thank you ever so much!

I wanted to enquire if the ADI 2 FS will be refreshed or updated at some point soon? I understand the pro model has had a special edition and now an EX version releasing in the very near future. But I wonder where that leaves the ADI 2 FS.

If there is an update in the works, I might hold off purchasing the ADI 2 FS. I only need a simple box with the highest A/D conversion RME can provide for my recording sessions. And these newer units like the 2/4 SE and no doubt the EX generate a lot more heat alongside features not useful for me.

If anyone has any knowledge, or that might be able to direct me to a more suitable A/D converter please do let me know! I'd be greatly appreciative!