Topic: Studio interface for use in a hifi as a pre-amp

Hi folks

I currently use a PreSonus Quantum > DAC digital pre-amp > Power amp > Passive speakers

My DAC failed.

I'm now wondering if there is an RME interface that would function as a pre-amp like the ADI-2 series with a similar level of convertor quality, but with the functionality of a studio interface?

eg. RME studio interface > Power amp > Passive speakers.

Thanks

Re: Studio interface for use in a hifi as a pre-amp

Babyface Pro FS has the best converters and a big knob for volumen control.
AdI-2 Pro FS R has a remote perfect for the Hifi set.
The ARC USB remote is for every RME interface, worth to have a look into it.

M1-Sequoia, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue

3 (edited by ramses 2023-02-20 08:17:22)

Re: Studio interface for use in a hifi as a pre-amp

The ADI-2 DAC FS has unique features that no other recording interface has, to mention only a few:
4-5 (ADI-2/4 Pro SE) reference level design, auto-reflevel, PEQ, dynamic loudness, Bittest and much more, slow ramp-up of volume to protect your ears when e.g. plugging phones, different D/A filters, etc etc.

With the latest product ADi-2/4 Pro SE even two DACs for D/A and a MM phones input and other cool stuff.
See manual for a good overview.

If you want them, then you need to take one of the three ADI's:
- ADI-2 DAC FS        ~€1239
- ADI-2 Pro FS R BE  ~€1699
- ADI-2/4 Pro SE      ~€2489

The difference between the 1st two you can lookup here in brief:
https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.ph … 06#p165706

Also in my blog with add-on information and links to interesting videos:
https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/Ent … ses-EN-DE/

You can easily integrate the ADI-2 * devices to an existing recording interface by using: ADAT, SPDIF (o + c), AES.
AES only with the ADI-2 Pro*. How is described here with an RME recording interface as an example:
https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/Ent … our-Setup/

But all these ADI-2* based designs are converter, no recording interfaces, they have no digital mixer SW TotalMix FX.
Therefore a combination of both, RME recording interface (quality/reliability/driver stability) with the quality and flexibility of the ADI-2 * is an ideal combination. But as I mentioned, you should be able to keep using your Presonus.
You will have lossless audio transfer up to the ADI-2* and the ADI-2 can compensate any clock jitter using SteadyClock FS and on top it will finally use it's own FS clock for the final D/A conversion. Also for A/D in case of the ADI-2 Pro and ADI-2/4 Pro SE.

But if you want a RME recording interface .. I see that the Presonus has many different types of I/O ports.

What is your budget and what are your requirements in terms of types and amount of ports for the recording interface?

A very good choice would be the BBF Pro, but its main use is mobility.
If you need a little bit more of this and that the UCX II could be the much better choice. It also has one AES port which is ideal to connect an ADI-2 at a later time and you would still have one ADAT port free for connecting additional 8-port devices like preamps, if needed).

Should you need more than 1 ADAT port, then you need to look at 802 or better UFX II.

You can use this comparison excel to quickly compare the features of the USB/FW based RME recording interfaces.
https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/attachme … 9-19-xlsx/
of this blog article: https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/Ent … B-MADIfac/

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