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RME User Forum → ADI-2 & 2/4 Pro series, ADI-2 DAC series → ADI-2 & 2/4 Pro SE Lower Output when using USB
My ADI-2 & 2/4 Pro SE lowers its output volume (analog) if I connect it to my Raspberry PI 5 USB port. A way to reset this, strangely, is to connect it to my MacBook Pro. Then the volume is back at normal listening levels. I cannot figure out what is causing this behaviour, any help is appreciated.
The volume setting comes from the computer you connect to in this case. Check level settings on the Raspberry. The ADI doesn't know what it's connected to...
Thanks for the answer, but my raspberry configuration is set to output at 100% volume. Really confused what is the issue then.
Furthermore, checking ALSA via Terminal, it seems it's not possible to set any configuration for the ADI-2 & 2/4 Pro SE in Linux. Is that correct?
Restarting this topic as I’ve made a few changes to my system and still struggle with low output.
I’ve moved from the Raspberry Pi to an iPad all time connected to the RME ADI 2/4. I still struggle with low output volume sometimes when switching from ‘turntable into analogue port’ to ‘iPad to USB port via USB to Lightning Apple adapter’. The RME is set to DAC mode and the iPad is working as a Roon bridge. Roon is sending fixed volume to the RME through the iPad.
Scenario: I’m playing vinyl using the analogue source, then switch to USB port via the remote. I play some music via Roon. Then switch back to analogue source and the volume output is much lower.
As troubleshooting, I typically open the RME remote in the Mac or iPad and fiddle with the settings randomly. I wouldn’t be able to point out which setting changes eventually lead to normalization of the analogue volume, but when I access the settings while facing this problem, the settings are the same as usual. Therefore, I need to just alter settings randomly and back to my default settings to restore the volume. Sometimes I also disconnect and reconnect the iPad. But again, it takes several changes to restore the original volume, so there’s no pattern I can report.
Please let me know what I could do or test from here.
• Is playback of DSD-files involved in any way?
• Did you do RME Bit Test for the digital signal path (see manual page 101)?
• How many dB is the wrong loudness off to normal, estimated?
• Does the Volume Control display value change (check on ADI-2/4 Pro SE itself), or does the loudness decrease effect happening without this value lowering?
When it happens, check at the device:
• I/O / [current output] / Settings / Auto Ref Level: does it switch on or off by itself?
• I/O / [current output] / Settings / Ref Level: does it change?
• I/O / Analog Input / Settings / …. does the analog’s “RIAA Mode xx dB” value or the “Trim Gain Left/Right x.x dB” values change by themselves?
Take notes of your “normal” settings before, to compare.
1. Power cycle iPad. Not very likely that it helps, but just to be sure.
2. Try an ADI-2 reset:
While powering up, push and hold the VOL button (NOT the VOLUME dial) and Encoder 1, until you see the message: “Reset done“.
User Setups and EQ Presets are not deleted.
Or an ADI-2 full factory reset:
While powering up, push and hold the VOL button (NOT the VOLUME dial) and Encoder 1 and Encoder 2, until you see the message: “Reset done“.
All user Setups and EQ Presets are deleted.
Take notes before, or store them through the Remote App, if you want to keep some.
Thanks for this answer. I will apply those tests in the coming days and get back with feedback.
I've followed the steps, doing the Reset and Factory Reset. Below are my answers:
• Is playback of DSD-files involved in any way? NO
• Did you do RME Bit Test for the digital signal path (see manual page 101)? YES, it passes the test
• How many dB is the wrong loudness off to normal, estimated? -15 DB
• Does the Volume Control display value change (check on ADI-2/4 Pro SE itself), or does the loudness decrease effect happening without this value lowering? NO
When it happens, check at the device:
• I/O / [current output] / Settings / Auto Ref Level: does it switch on or off by itself? NO
• I/O / [current output] / Settings / Ref Level: does it change? NO
• I/O / Analog Input / Settings / …. does the analog’s “RIAA Mode xx dB” value or the “Trim Gain Left/Right x.x dB” values change by themselves? NO
I've managed to narrow the issue down to the app running on my iPad. I have both Roon and Qobuz. When playing via Qobuz, the input volume is equivalent from both USB and Analogue sources (DAC mode).
So, Roon seems to be the culprit at the moment. I have check the audio setup and there is no upsampling to DSD activated, or any other setting that would give me a reason to believe this is not an inherit issue with Roon + RME.
Please let me know if I can provide any more information to help with this troubleshooting.
Update: the issue is tied to my iPad (which is old, from 10 years ago). It has nothing to do with settings in Roon such as "device volume", "fixed volume", "dsp volume". Selecting either doesn't make a difference.
Testing the same setup, but via a modern Mac, the issue does not occur. I can switch back and forth from Roon/Vinyl (DAC Mode Analog/USB without any issues in terms of volume.
I love to reassign older hardware to remote tasks, like my iPhone6 playing Tidal to ADI-2.
This approach has it’s limits today, even here.
With the latest (welcome) change away from MQA, Tidal on the old iPhone/ does no longer play HighRes, because the necessary app update is not possible.
With Microsoft’s broken promise of Windows 10 being “The last Windows version” now billions of fully working PC’s will turn into electronic scrap.
The list could be extended…
It will be hard to track down your problem further.
The strange thing to me is, that the iPad seems to lower the analog signal in some “hidden” way, without ADI-2 showing it anywhere.
If the USB signal level would change up and down one could imagine a reason, but …
Just wanted to add that I’ve tested this issue now with the latest iPad Pro and the same problem occurs there. So different iOS, different hardware, different cables. Same problem.
It seems to be an iOS issue and its interaction with the RME device.
A last question:
The horizontal meter in dual-mode:
When it happens, does it show a significant change of the input (outer small bands) or output (inner broader bands) signal?
15 dB from “normal” should be visible.
Yes, it does.
I really appreciate your help, but I'd like to know if anyone from RME could reply when possible.
Yes, it does.
I really appreciate your help, but I'd like to know if anyone from RME could reply when possible.
Yes, of course.
No, we gathered some more information so it might be easier to find out what’s going on.
Both, input and output, showing less?
Yes, the meters basically drop by half when the issue occurs.
Ok, at this point I can’t give an explanation, even lesser so a solution.
As you did run through my list, it’s clear no level related internal setting changes when the level lowers (even reflected on the meters), very strange!
At least I offer a workaround that saves you from randomly clicking around to come back to normal when it happens:
• Store a Preset of the “normal” state.
• Assign it to a button on the remote or device.
• Recall it when needed.
If you get your hands on another ADI-2, compare if the same happens.
If not, your ADI-2 is broken in some very strange way.
RME User Forum → ADI-2 & 2/4 Pro series, ADI-2 DAC series → ADI-2 & 2/4 Pro SE Lower Output when using USB
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