I am not a good photographer, but wanted to show at least one pic of all the above stuff. Here you see an iPad used as music player (running Neutron, which can play back nearly everything, with the ADI-2 Pro even 768 kHz and DSD256). The latest Apple USB3 to Lightning adapter not only connects it Class Compliant to the left ADI-2 Pro AE, but also allows it to be charged at the same time from the XTPower powerbank. Here the powerbank simultaneously provides 12 Volt to the AE, easily giving power to two very different devices.

The ADI-2 Pro to the right gets audio via SPDIF from the AE. It is powered by the 3S2P Li-Ion battery block as explained above.

Quick note to say Thank you MC for the recommendation for the XT Power source. Got mine today , charged it up ...works perfectly with enough flexible options to cover nearly any need

Thank you again MC

EDIT: July 22, 2017.    I've been using this supply for a few weeks now.  I can only once again say it is fantastic. If you have a need for it I don't think you'll be disappointed.  I've used it for the phone, iPad, Babyface Pro and even a few of my grandsons toddler type electronics.

When they say "a picture's worth a thousand words", that's still right today, in a mostly-image-dominated world.

Even if you had skipped the picture (which helps to make it all clearer, and faster), your post made my day, and evening: it contains the tip I've been looking for, in the never-ending quest for quality audio against the (often sad) statement "but they won't use a computer, only a tablet".

Even if to power up a big PA requires 3-phase AC mains, therefore running on battery doesn't look like much of a goal to me, there's a whole lot of lazy kids out there who pride themselves with running only one 50m AES/EBU cable inside a cable duct, and no AC mains cable. Beats me why... but going with age, I'm starting at least to take things in despite my personal view on the matter.

Now, for the useful stuff: when will I learn to spend some time snooping around the forum threads, instead of just connecting here when I've got a problem at hand and am trying to solve it? Always too late, is my answer.

This sharing willingness, this being-of-service mindframe of yours, is alone worth the whole value of any RME product I've ever bought, no matter how expensive or affordable. And it makes all the difference in the world, in terms of loyalty: I'll fight for the model, what model, not for the make. And I know I'm not alone in this, I'm with the best possible company.

Honest and simple: thank you, MC.

In terms of flight .. Oh good to know, I wondered already why you didnt pick a bigger one

I purchased the XT Power 20,000 to run my Babyface (not Pro) with my iPad and the DC wire and adapters that are included in the package do not seem to fit the Babyface. Is there and adapter connector or wire that will fix this?

The Babyface does not power on with the included DC wire or any of the DC adapters. I read on another forum that the required DC adapter size is 1.25mm and the XT Power's user manual does not have 1.25mm as one of the included adapter sizes. The included DC wire from XT powers other interfaces I have but not the Babyface.

What differences in audio recording quality do you notice with a Babyface Pro running off of bus power from a plugged-in MacBook Pro, vs. unplugged MacBook Pro, vs. the power bank, vs. the 3S2P battery pack? How significant is each step? I have run unplugged with bus power in the past when using a different Firewire audio interface, and it was a noticeable improvement, but I'm curious how much improvement could be made by trying a powerbank, and whether or not it's worth the hassle to ditch all convenience and go all the way to the battery pack.

Thank you. It's seemed pretty freakin' clean so far!

So ultimately, the only benefit that I would see would be if I were running the MacBook on battery power and trying to limit battery drain on the MacBook itself. I did read something about someone else having improved microphone performance when using phantom power, but that's not really an issue for my use case. Sweet. Thank you.

The automatic shut-off one will not shut off with a Babyface connected. The no shut-off one is useful for low power devices below 2 Watts. At least this is my experience with the former auto shut-off version.

No headphone and AutoDark mode on would reach about 6 hours with that Li-Ion pack.

You leave me confused. On one hand, the ADI-2 DAC has a special power jack with a special power plug in the stock PSU that latches and locks with a 90 degree twist, which I guess is a way to make sure that it's not disconnected accidentally. On the other hand you are recommending an external power supply for this device which, not surprisingly, just switches off once depleted, which is pretty much the same as disconnecting the power source while the ADI-2 DAC is running. And even if the powerbank had some acoustic signal, I guess listening with headphones won't help much.

Why go to lengths to use a special power connector and then run the device through a powerbank that's much more likely to stop providing power abruptly? Am I missing something here?

It's not a problem for me either. I just thought there must be a good reason why RME added the locking power connector to the ADI-2 DAC, and running the unit from a power source that might shut off just like that would defeat the purpose. Or maybe you could enlighten me why else RME would go to such lengths to add this very uncommon connector.

Ok, thanks, now I understand.

Thank you MC and all contributing! You just made my life easier

Active balancing means switching electronics that destroy the advantage of this pack to act (and measure) excactly like a perfect battery - so I was told. I see this as a plus, not a minus. I am not a battery expert but it seems such balancing is not necessary with these small packs made from quality cells.

I have 4 of them
https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B07Q29 … &psc=1

2 have good quality and 2 are draining power even it is stored in  the shelf without anything plugged on or it is turned on.

So check this out, to replace a broken unit during warranty.

It should not loss more than 1 percent in 3 weeks if not used.

Folks, just wanted to mention that I purchased and tested SinKeu 24000mAh - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07P87JTVT
Works like a charm.

It has both an integrated AC inverter (can be handy if you need to charge your laptop) and 12V DC output, which goes with no voltage regulator as I understand (they mention in the manual that depending on whether the battery is charged, it delivers voltage between 12.6V and 9V).

I've tested it with my ADI-2 Pro FS, and it lasted exactly full 5 hours.

One note though, the DC power cable doesn't come with it, so you need to order one. I bought this one https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016BJGZ2U

Hope it helps.

Thanks for this interesting product report. You just forgot to mention that it's 110 V only. Many readers here would need the same as 230 V. Someone got that?

But you can - it will work without issues.

Im dissapointed to say that XT dont ship to Norway due to "disposal guidelines for lithium batteries" First they said they could, then they couldnt sad

Like we cannot dispose of it here in Norway. We just put it on a frozen lake in the winter like every other garbage. When spring comes its gone.. Duh!

Off to another solution!

Hi there. It‘s 2024 and I‘m looking for an updated mobile power solution (no Micro-USB but USB-C etc.).

Would this one work with the Fireface UCX II and ADI 2 Pro? RoyPow 30W PD USB-C Power Bank mit 12V Zigarettenanzünder Steckdose, externem Akku für Laptop… https://amzn.eu/d/3VYAsiD

Thanks!

Thanks for the tip!

I guess your battery is rated 5V. In that case it contains up to 100Wh of stored energy. RME specs UCX II to take 13 W on average (13 Wh per hour). So the battery should be able to feed interface for about 6-7 hours.

Yes, 20 000 mAh should do for 2 hours with considerable reserve.

Everything is working great with the Aliexpress cable!

I'm using a new generation 20000mAh Anker battery and the display shows that the UCX II is taking 10W for a 6h autonomy (don't know how reliable these numbers are).

Now my UCX II can compete with a Sound Devices MixPre for autonomous mobile recording for the same price (even a bit cheaper).

Would be great to implement a USB-C power input on the next RME card generation to get rid of the need for that extra specific 12V cable.