Topic: For those interested: ADI2-Dac Version 2 vs. Version 1 Impressions
(Note, I am hoping this can be a RESPECTFUL thread that is an exchange of information and listening impressions for anyone who might find it useful. I will not respond to personal attacks or other time-wasting negativity. Anyway...)
I have owned the ADI-2 Dac version 1 since January 2019. Overall I am very pleased with it. I love to upgrade my audio equipment just to play around with something new and see if I notice any improvement. I have returned many pieces of equipment from companies like PS Audio, Audioquest, iFi, etc. due to either believing I did not see an improvement or because of a negative impact on sound. I was open to returning the Version 2 Dac if I felt it wasn't worth it.
In any case, I decided to order the Version 2 Dac to try it out and see if I noticed any differences and if not, whether the upgraded remote and added filter were worth the difference I'd pay after selling the Version 1 Dac. I paid the same for V2 that I did for V1 on Amazon.
In any case, here are my impressions. Take them as you will. My system is very revealing, Hedd Type 20 professional studio monitors and Adam Sub8.
-Sound: Actually, there do seem to be some subtle differences in the sound. This is very subjective. But from reading the forums, (Audioscience) I was concerned the Version 2 Dac would be sharper/"crystal clear to the point of harshness." To my surprise my impression has been the literal opposite -- the sound seems a bit more natural, robust/full, and smooth than the Version 1, certainly not harsh. Perhaps a tad more detail as well. The differences are not striking, but my monitors are very revealing and this has just been my impression. I wouldn't necessarily recommend upgrading for a SQ improvement, as if there is one, it's reasonably subtle and likely requires a very revealing system. But for those who are considering purchasing it for the first time, I like how it sounds a lot.
-Remote: The new remote is pretty cool. I haven't played with it a lot yet but it's definitely an improvement. May be worth getting if you have the Ver 1 remote.
-New filter (SD LD). Still playing with this one but seems solid. Doing most of my testing with the same filter I was using before, which was SD Sharp on the V1 Dac.
Main points: I like Version 2 better than 1 overall, sound is not harsher/"crystal clear to the point of harshness" like someone complained about on Audioscience IMO (though they may have been using earphones), new remote is good, new filter is interesting. Maybe worth upgrading if you're looking to upgrade something and want to check it out, but probably not worth upgrading from Ver 1 otherwise (just buy the remote maybe).