1 Topic by 1992 (edited by 1992 2020-12-19 16:50:13)

  • 1992
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Topic: ADI-2 Pro FS R BE vs ADI-2 FS

Hello, I've been learning about the RME ADI-2 series and one thing that I cannot seem to find anywhere is the difference between the units in the title of this post.  I've seen an RME video that seems to indicate they are practically the same apart from a different headphone output (and extra one on the pro) and less DSP on the non-Pro.

To be clear, I'm talking about this https://www.rme-audio.de/ADI-2-FS.html , not the DAC.

Is anyone aware if there is much of a difference in conversion quality, for fairly straightforward stereo recording and playback?  I appreciate it seems the non-Pro version would require some kind of computer interface.

People say the Pro version is good value overall...but the non-Pro is about a third of the price!

2 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2020-12-19 16:47:41)

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Re: ADI-2 Pro FS R BE vs ADI-2 FS

Has been asked and answerd several times, I think this posting from me contains most details.

https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.ph … 79#p149979

BTW .. found it with Google search
     difference ADI-2 Pro vs DAC site:forum.rme-audio.de

Additionally: check the manuals
1. overview section of features
2. technical data section, which perfectly lists all I/O ports and technical data

EN:
https://www.rme-audio.de/download/adi2fs_e.pdf
https://www.rme-audio.de/download/adi2dac_e.pdf
https://www.rme-audio.de/download/adi2dacr_e.pdf
https://www.rme-audio.de/download/adi2pro_e.pdf
https://www.rme-audio.de/download/adi2profs_e.pdf
https://www.rme-audio.de/download/adi2profsr_e.pdf
DE:
https://www.rme-audio.de/download/adi2fs_d.pdf
https://www.rme-audio.de/download/adi2dac_d.pdf
https://www.rme-audio.de/download/adi2dacr_d.pdf
https://www.rme-audio.de/download/adi2pro_d.pdf
https://www.rme-audio.de/download/adi2profs_d.pdf
https://www.rme-audio.de/download/adi2profsr_d.pdf

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub13

3 Reply by 1992 (edited by 1992 2020-12-19 16:49:57)

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Re: ADI-2 Pro FS R BE vs ADI-2 FS

ramses wrote:

Has been asked and answerd several times, I think this posting from me contains most details.

BTW .. found it with Google search
     difference ADI-2 Pro vs DAC site:forum.rme-audio.de

https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=30038

Additionally: check the manuals
1. overview section of features
2. technical data section, which perfectly lists all I/O ports and technical data

I had seen that post (and similar others), but it seems to be about the DAC, not the ADI-2 FS (i.e. the one with no screen).

Thanks for the manual links, which I have looked at for spec comparisons.  Since specs don't necessarily tell the entire picture for conversion quality though, it would be useful for any more subjective comparisons, e.g. from anyone who upgraded from the £600 FS to the £1500 FS Pro R.

4 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2020-12-19 16:54:42)

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Re: ADI-2 Pro FS R BE vs ADI-2 FS

I just added information to make it more general, pls read again, maybe it was not yet updated.
If you look at the many details, you can figure out why "it makes no fun" having to type this over and over again from memory.

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub13

5 Reply by 1992 (edited by 1992 2020-12-19 17:18:57)

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Re: ADI-2 Pro FS R BE vs ADI-2 FS

The extra details seem to be on there now, thanks.  And I agree, there's no need to write things out again if they can be found elsewhere.

I see that you've said on there that you think it would be hard to identify audible differences between the Pro and the DAC (and presumably the FS), which is good to know.  The spec seem very similar too.

If anyone else has any thoughts/experience, that would be much appreciated.

6 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2020-12-19 17:46:40)

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Re: ADI-2 Pro FS R BE vs ADI-2 FS

> I see that you've said on there that you think it would be hard to identify audible differences between the Pro and the DAC

Both use the same DAC chip from AKM.

We have now roughly 3-4y between ADI-2 Pro and ADI-2 Pro FS R BE.
What came in in between
- with ADI-2 Pro FS: FS clock. measureble differences but no audible differences.
- with ADI-2 Pro FS R BE: new AKM chip, higher SNR, one more output filter, but I think again, no audible difference. Just fine.

With ADI-2 Pro FS R BE and ADI-2 DAC
vs
ADI-2 FS
you have simply the choice to get the advanced DAC features or not: New AKM Chip, DSD, PEQ, Dynamic Loudness, AutoReflevel, Crossfeed, Extreme Power Outputs, etc
Whether you need ADI-2 Pro FS R BE or the DAC depends, whether you want to have the flexibility, to have also A/D conversion, also analog outputs, SRC, balanced phones output, two equal phones outputs for quick A/B comparisons, etc ...

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub13