Topic: ADI-2 DAC - USB Interface Features & Latency

Hello everyone,

First post here, so please be kind smile

I'm looking to purchase a new DAC / Computer Audio Output which will be used for a number of tasks, but purely in the digital domain. I have no need for anything analogue in this area, but ideally would like a single piece of kit which will drive a variety of headphones, monitors, and act as an output for a number of digital devices.

Primary device will be a PC with some DAW tooling, as well as playing back some stereo PCM + DSD mixes. The use of ASIO drivers will be essential for me, which has brought me here to look at some of the fab tools from RME smile

I'm thinking about connecting the main PC to an ADI-2 DAC using USB and the RME drivers, but can't seem to find any specs regarding the USB implementation within this DAC, or what sort of latency I should be expecting through the USB connection to it. Does anyone on here use this DAC in a similar way, and have any experience of what I should expect?

Cheers!

2 (edited by ramses 2022-10-15 07:07:26)

Re: ADI-2 DAC - USB Interface Features & Latency

Hi Souija.

Welcome to the RME forum.

I would recommend an RME recording interface with TotalMix FX and then to integrate an ADI-2 DAC/ Pro FS for monitoring.

https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/Ent … ses-EN-DE/
https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/Ent … our-Setup/

Regarding recording interface with TotalMix FX mixing software …
Can it be a PCIe card like e.g.:
— RayDAT (fully digital card),
— HDSPe AIO Pro
[EDIT: Removed HDSPe AES from list because ADI-2 DAC has no AES]

Or do you have a laptop and want something USB based like e.g.,
— Digiface USB
— Babyface Pro
— UCX II?

List of USB/FW/TB-based recording interfaces here (except PCI/PCIe cards):
https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/Ent … B-MADIfac/
Direct link to Excel: https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/attachme … 9-19-xlsx/

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

3 (edited by KaiS 2022-10-14 23:39:50)

Re: ADI-2 DAC - USB Interface Features & Latency

souija wrote:

I'm thinking about connecting the main PC to an ADI-2 DAC using USB and the RME drivers, ...

ADI-2 DAC has no digital outputs.
ADI-2 Pro and the upcoming ADI-2/4 have.

souija wrote:

...but can't seem to find any specs regarding the USB implementation within this DAC, or what sort of latency I should be expecting through the USB connection to it.

If latency is a real issue (but only then, e.g. for playing an instrument or singing along), an RME recording interface is the better solution.
Look into the “Interfaces” section of RME’s site.

“Totalmix FX” is the feature that makes the difference.
https://www.rme-usa.com/files/uploads/RME-Products/External/Fireface-UCX-II.png
https://www.rme-usa.com/files/uploads/RME-Products/External/Fireface-UFX-II.png