Topic: RME ADI-2 PRO FS as DAC, Pre-amp and active crossover
I am considering upgrading my Fireface 800 to the ADI-2 PRO FS and use it as:
(1) DAC with DSD playback
(2) Pre-amplifier with usb (asio), optical (spdif) and analog input (turntable)
(3) Two way active crossover with the built in DSP filter/equalizer.
A three-in-one scenario :-)
I was inspired by reading a review of the ADI-2 PRO:
https://www.hifizine.com/2018/07/rme-ad … -overview/
https://www.hifizine.com/2019/01/rme-ad … nal-modes/
I have looked in the manuals of both ADI-2 PRO FS and DAC for routing/mixing, but did not understand how it is working. So I hope the RME forum can help answer some questions.
(1) I have a stereo only setup. Can you playback multi-channel from the usb/pc and route/downmix it to the stereo analog outputs? If yes, is this possible in multi-channel mode only?
(2) Same question for the ADI-2 DAC. The manual says: "Use Configure Speakers to freely configure the stereo or multi-channel playback to any available channels". This sounds to me like routing/mixing?
(3) Same question for DSD: Is it possible to route/downmix DSD 5.1 to stereo and convert to analog output?
(4) Are other solutions available? Do standalone software mixers exist, which makes routing/mixing possible with ADI-2, like with RME Totalmix?
(5) As I understand the manual, its not possible to playback DSD128/256 in multi-channel mode, but only DSD64?
(6) Can you use the built in DSP filters as two way active stereo crossover? Are DSP filters/equalizers disabled during DSD playback?
(7) Can you switch between the usb/pc, spdif and analog inputs with the remote?
(8) Any experience with the quality of "DSD Native/DoP" vs. "DSD converted to PCM" playback in Foobar2000 or other software players?
Another scenario would be to just use the ADI-2 as DAC, but then I may not need the PRO FS and go with the ADI-2 DAC?
For several years I have used the Fireface 800 as DAC for my HTPC and Totalmix to downmix to stereo, including Foobar2000 (Asio), MPC-HC (Asio), as well as CD, TV and Bluetooth outputs -> optical remote switch -> FF800 optical spdif input.
This setup works very well. The FF800 is still stable like a rock after 12 years of daily operation :-)
This is why I want to go with another RME. The best and most reliable pro-audio hardware and software.
Thanks.
Rendboell