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Topic: RME Adi-2 DAC FS Chip. AK4490 or AK4493?

MC wrote:

The ESS version is recognized by a small C at the end of the serial number sticker (B stood for AKM 4493)

I was pretty sure I had the AKM 4493 version (this is what I was told in the store and here on the forum),
but I don't have any B letter at the end of the serial number.
I have a version with a large remote control, which I bought in 2020.

I checked the forum and Ramses table and I still don't understand what chip I have installed.
I have SD LD filter, but based on the table, AKM AK4490 also has this SD LD filter.

Can someone tell me how to check what chip (AK4490 or AK4493) do i have in the device?
Is there any function that only the AK4493 has and the AK4490 does not?

Thanks!

2 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2021-08-05 09:42:42)

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Re: RME Adi-2 DAC FS Chip. AK4490 or AK4493?

Then pls read the table again ... the information is included:

AK4493    Slightly improved specs and added D/A filter "SD LD" (Short Delay Low Dispersion)                           

This answers both of your questions, the technical details between those two models you can lookup in the manuals, for older devices pls check the RME archive site.

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

3 Reply by David10 (edited by David10 2021-08-05 10:04:19)

  • Registered: 2018-04-06
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Re: RME Adi-2 DAC FS Chip. AK4490 or AK4493?

1. Also in table said: "ESS has a filter called "Brickwall" instead of AK449x's "SD LD".
It is not written specifically about AK4493. There is x instead of the last digit, what can also mean AK4490 too.

2. MC wrote this: "The ESS version is recognized by a small C at the end of the serial number sticker (B stood for AKM 4493)"
Again, I don't have this B letter in serial number.
What does it mean? That I have AK4490 with LD SD filter? I'm confused.

4 Reply by Johannes AU (edited by Johannes AU 2021-08-05 10:23:48)

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Re: RME Adi-2 DAC FS Chip. AK4490 or AK4493?

I have the ESS chip version, the "c" appears on the serial number sticker of the DAC (near the USB and dc input), NOT at the paper packing box, NOT at the MacOS Audio Midi Setup display.

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  • Registered: 2018-04-06
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Re: RME Adi-2 DAC FS Chip. AK4490 or AK4493?

Johannes AU wrote:

I have the ESS chip version, the "c" appears on the serial number sticker of the DAC (near the USB and dc input), NOT at the paper packing box, NOT at the MacOS Audio Midi Setup display.

And I bought, as they told me in the store, a version with AK4493, but the serial number sticker, like MC said, should have the letter B, but it is not. Therefore, I do not understand which chip I have installed.

6 Reply by Johannes AU (edited by Johannes AU 2021-08-05 10:58:39)

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Re: RME Adi-2 DAC FS Chip. AK4490 or AK4493?

David10 wrote:
Johannes AU wrote:

I have the ESS chip version, the "c" appears on the serial number sticker of the DAC (near the USB and dc input), NOT at the paper packing box, NOT at the MacOS Audio Midi Setup display.

And I bought, as they told me in the store, a version with AK4493, but the serial number sticker, like MC said, should have the letter B, but it is not. Therefore, I do not understand which chip I have installed.


Send an email to MC with the serial number, then you will get an official answer.

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7 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2021-08-05 11:59:11)

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Re: RME Adi-2 DAC FS Chip. AK4490 or AK4493?

David10 wrote:

I checked the forum and Ramses table and I still don't understand what chip I have installed.
I have SD LD filter, but based on the table, AKM AK4490 also has this SD LD filter.

Can someone tell me how to check what chip (AK4490 or AK4493) do i have in the device?
Is there any function that only the AK4493 has and the AK4490 does not?


This is what you asked and you got already the answer. Again in a different order.
If you would have an ESS chip inside, then you would see the brickwall D/A filter not the SD LD.
IF NOT: then you have either the 4493 with SD LD or the 4490 wirthout SD LD.

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub13
  • bejoro
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Re: RME Adi-2 DAC FS Chip. AK4490 or AK4493?

But there was/is a firmware release which shows the SD LD filter even with the AK4490 version.

This is a bug in the firmware! I am not sure if that was resolved already or with which firmware release.

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9 Reply by MC

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Re: RME Adi-2 DAC FS Chip. AK4490 or AK4493?

That is resolved already, and was never officially released for the old ADIs.

@ David: the first batch of 4493 units did not have the B on that serial sticker. I must say much fuzz on nothing. The SD LD filter is a clear indicator.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

MC's Website

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Re: RME Adi-2 DAC FS Chip. AK4490 or AK4493?

ramses wrote:
David10 wrote:

I checked the forum and Ramses table and I still don't understand what chip I have installed.
I have SD LD filter, but based on the table, AKM AK4490 also has this SD LD filter.

Can someone tell me how to check what chip (AK4490 or AK4493) do i have in the device?
Is there any function that only the AK4493 has and the AK4490 does not?


This is what you asked and you got already the answer. Again in a different order.
If you would have an ESS chip inside, then you would see the brickwall D/A filter not the SD LD.
IF NOT: then you have either the 4493 with SD LD or the 4490 wirthout SD LD.

without SD LD = AK4490
with SD LD = AK4493
with Brickwall = ES9028Q2M, with "c" after the serial number sticker at the DAC

Pacifist, dumb, not stupid
Listen music out from a box which sounds
Reading words on paper/ screen