• Registered: 2021-12-17
  • Posts: 1

Topic: Adi-2 dac FS on vintage amp

Hi all,

Have been running the adi-2 fs for a while now and all fine!  But might be doing something wrong…

Page 62 of manual states operation in hifi environment.. the recommended level setting to equal roughly 2V.

Well i’m running a Sansui au-x901 integrated amp(now in integrated mode, rca from adi2 to cd input).
I just checked the manual: http://akdatabase.com/AKview/albums/us … Manual.pdf

Which gives me an input sensitivity of 150mV/47 kOhms. For CD/Line.

Adi currently at +7dbu  -10db. (Auto) As i have no clue what im doing.

Can you help me explain:
- if i’m cooking my inputs?
- what settings to use (how to calc)
- auto mode on/off for this case?
- would it be preferable to use the sansui’s balanced xlr power amp inputs with 2V 5kOhms ? 

Thanks in advance!

Hardware:
RPI 4B  -  ADI-2fs
Sansui au-x901
Sonus Faber Electa Amator 1
Custom Lenco L75

2 Reply by KaiS (edited by KaiS 2021-12-18 08:27:20)

  • KaiS
  • DAW Mastermind
  • Online
  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2020-02-05
  • Posts: 3,150

Re: Adi-2 dac FS on vintage amp

Don‘t worry.

I had a look into the service manual / schematics.
As usual with integrated amps from that era, the first stage in it‘s signal chain is the passive (no electronics) volume control.

This means, this amp can take and handle whatever high signal you feed it without problems.


If you feed the balanced direct input you bypass two stages of electronics inside the amp, so there might be a tiny advantage.
You probably will need passive attenuators if you go this path.

Look here for mofe information:
https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.ph … 21#p161721

KaiS's Website

  • Registered: 2021-12-17
  • Posts: 1

Re: Adi-2 dac FS on vintage amp

KaiS wrote:

Don‘t worry.

I had a look into the service manual / schematics.
As usual with integrated amps from that era, the first stage in it‘s signal chain is the passive (no electronics) volume control.

This means, this amp can take and handle whatever high signal you feed it without problems.


If you feed the balanced direct input you bypass two stages of electronics inside the amp, so there might be a tiny advantage.
You probably will need passive attenuators if you go this path.

Look here for mofe information:
https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.ph … 21#p161721

KaiS, thats a very comforting and quick relpy! Many thanks!

The Adi is a major step up from the setup i had when i got into streaming… (airport express analog out). An amazing piece of kit.

Will get myself some xlr’s and try the power amp direct to see how that works/sounds.

Anyway this old sansui beast will never leave my side. Have ran many modern amps (naim, densen(s), cyrus, etc.) but always return to the Sansui. Good to know i dont need to worry about the load