waedi wrote:Aus lauter Mitleid
I feel sorry because no one else did respond.
I do not understand this comment waedi, this has been posted yesterday evening...
kradzero wrote:Would this be a good match?
Both products are superb, sure.
kradzero wrote:Just wondering how the DAC would work in providing a signal to active studio monitors.
The signal stays lossless in the "digital domain" until the final D/A conversion occurrs. You can check and validate lossless audio transfer with the very useful feature "Bit Test" of ADI-2 DAC/Pro, see manual ch 31.15:
https://www.rme-audio.de/download/adi2dacr_d.pdf
https://www.rme-audio.de/download/adi2dacr_e.pdf
Steadyclock ensures that any inbound jitter will be eliminated and the final D/A conversion takes place with the internal FS clock of the ADI-2 DAC (completely decoupled from any inbound jitter). If you are interested, then you can watch this video from Matthias Carstens where he explains Steadyclock technology in detail and compares measuring results of RME products with steadyclock with those of other products. Its very informative and impressive to see, how well Steadyclock works:
EN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti0aHW-zYcs
DE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rcBVuWOHiw
You connect the active monitors by using balanced cables. Does not have to be expensive Vodoo cable, simply take a good brand and take care that they have good connectors like those from Neutrik (de facto studio standard).
kradzero wrote:Also, I am thinking that the SM9s have built-in analog EQs enabling adjustments to room size etc. -
would the EQs of the RME ADI-2 be superior to these? Would I use a combination?
From briefly looking to the manual it seems that the EQs of the Focal SM9 are working in the analog domain and are fix in terms of the Q factor (bandwidth).
The manual tells further that the Focal have a so called "Direct Mode" where the EQs can be bypassed except the high pass filter for the low frequencies.
The 5 Band EQ of the ADI-2 Pro works in the digital domain and might be more flexible, because it works on the digital signal and allows adjustments of also/additionally center frequency and bandwidth.
There are several threads in the ADI-2 subforum that also discuss room acoustics. If you are not running a studio, it is more difficult to optimize room acoustic, e.g. in a living room environment. Also some optimizations can be done by acoustic pictures, carpets, curtains, ...
Before adjusting the sound with either ADI-2 DAC or SM9 you should 1st of all measure the acoustic of your room "as is".
https://www.roomeqwizard.com/
There are already tutorials available, which explain, which measuring mic you need and how to use the software.
I think it is best to first find a good position for the monitors in the room (without any optimization of acoustic), so that later you only have to adjust as little as possible via EQ. To be able to compare this with other positions you need to make multiple measurings.
Maybe you can find a good position in the room already with a few tricks .. using sound material with nice bass information and then with the help of two friends to find a monitor position where it sounds already quite nice and balanced.
BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub13