Nope, no problems at all for about two years owning the ADI-2 DAC FS.

That said, I only use the remote a few times a week as this is for desktop usage where I prefer using the knobs and buttons on the DAC. The remote is handy during video calls to discreetly change the volume, or for various testing.

Take the remote apart - it's not hard, just lever between the infrared cover and the top half of the case. Don't worry, it goes back together easily.

Bend the two battery contacts on the PCB - one is a metal plate, the other is a spring - so they make a firmer connection with the battery. Just a few millimetres is OK, you can always go back and repeat the process.

Problem solved.

I dread to think the number of owners that are swapping out perfectly good batteries and otherwise OK remote controls.

I should NOT have to keep doing this in the first place! For such a great piece of gear, RME needs to fix this problem. It's very cheap!

2000 cad for what you have previously been deliriously happy about sond wise, I'd say that is amazing bang for your buck. Sure RME could source a better remote, but then the price would go up, so regarding cost efficiency for you it makes a whole lot of sense to just get one of those multi remotes you have been told about.
Or why not follow the tips you are getting re how to make sure the battery makes good contact when inserted to the remote:-)

Are you sure - did you try a fresh one or can you measure the voltage?
Should be 3.3 V at least.

Looking at the remote’s front through iPhone’s camera I can see a soft purple light when pressing a button, about same brightness as from other remotes.

This way you can even check if squeezing harder really makes a difference.
Squeezing unnecessary hard all the time can kill the buttons.

Even possible ADI-2’s remote receiver isn’t fully working.

Not sure who you think you are but I'm not whining!!! I was asking if this is normal.
Why would I have to continuously open a remote to fix it when it's new?? Obviously you are quick to judge!!
[Insult removed - Admin]

Thank you to others for your more interesting answers. Yes I had to return the remote and yes they found fault! So I'm on my third. [Insult removed - Admin]

You might have an interfering light source, like room lights, TV...

I can rule that out. When the problem occurred I even went under a blanket to see that it behaved erratically.

That does not coincide with my own experience, so I don’t think this can be generalized.

As expressed in my posting above I found the opposite to be true with the remote of ADI-2/4 Pro SE:

Might be there are outliers or defective units my single sample experience can not cover.

A new remote would be of no great benefit if the receiver is at fault.

Occasional non-responsive -remote button presses happen here too. They don´t happen often, but precice user notices them; "damn, ADI didn´t respond to that press." Next press it takes though, and then operation continues as usual, indefinitely.

I quess this is normal for hot running fully packed devices like ADI, IR-receiving random little hick-ups may occur in practice. They aren´t by no means a problem.

Less pedantic button pressers, etc multitasking mega-users, may not notice this at all.

Universal remote (One For All URC1280) improved general remote usability a lot in my case. It´s just better remote controller:

-better IR-transmit power, ADI responds clearly more reliably

-no short-stroke keys, more intuitive key arrangement, fully customisable

-no pain-in-the-ass CR2025 button-cell, but normal AAA/LR03 -batteries

-most of all not tripwired with sonic "suicide" buttons (balance, EQ, Loudness, B/T), awaiting for accidential presses, which cannot be disabled. Getting rid off them relieves usage stress a lot, from pedantic user like me. I can now use remote in relaxed manner, without stress of accidentially fucking up ADI´s settings.