Dear KaiS,
thank you very much for your answer, I would like to add what we specifically plan to minimize the signal paths and sorry we know indeed thousands of parameters of our synthesizers, effects and mastering tools, but are electrically seen absolute zeros and must ask here for apology.
I think it would be good if we could elaborate on what we are trying to do. We want to give up our good old but inflexible DAC (Weiss DAC1) and the AIOs. If we need further interfaces, we can realize this via the mastering processors or an audio interface (outboard). Furthermore we want to avoid DSD and sample rate conversion (Weiss Saracon) or stand-alone players (HQPlayer) as far as possible in the future and switch to linear amplifiers (Benchmark AHB2) as well as buy new speakers.
We did extensive research on the DACs (AudioScienceReview) and took a close look at all measurements and compared them. We then auditioned our personal favorites. With our tendency to switch from Weiss to RME, we also established clear preferences.
1. Routing
What have already come to know is that we appreciate a high performance DAC against audio interfaces for routing, on DAC-level this can be seen as a unique selling proposition. Since we still use other audio interfaces and mastering processors as well as effects in the rack, we must be able to integrate them as specified.
As written, we consider the routing matrix given by RME in the user manual to be complex. We personally cannot see from it which channels / interfaces can be used in parallel or which restrictions exist (sample rates, DSD conversion etc.). In the manual, limitations are mentioned where the DSP obviously reaches its limits - no wonder considering all the features RME has realized here in a great way.
1.1 We want to access the RME DAC via USB - PCM or DSD with any sample rate
1.2 Feed this signal via AES/EBU with 24Bit 96kHz or 192kHz into the effects rack, where it runs through several processors (outboard)
1.3 Pick Up the signal from the effect rack via AES/EBU with the RME DAC and
1.3.1 record it via USB with the DAW and
1.3.2 output it to the analog channels of the RME DAC in parallel
Is this explicitly possible, if not we need to keep the audio interfaces in the DAWs, SRC, DSD conversion et c..
May we politely request if someone could please try this and confirm, and announce restrictions if any, e.g. routing is possible but no sample rate conversion, no DSD conversion, only sample rates up to 192kHz et c..
2. Output Gain
We want to use the RME DAC directly in front of the AHB2 power amplifiers if possible and use the volume control from the RME DAC, is this possible?
Benchmark's power amplifiers (AHB2) cope with the following inputs by switching options:
Low-Gain = 22 dBu (9.8 Vrms), Gain = 9.2 dB
Mid-Gain = 14.2 dBu (4 Vrms), Gain = 17.0 dB
High-Gain = 8.2 dBu (2 Vrms), Gain = 23 dB
We want to use +22dBu here, as recommended for balanced inputs.
The second analog output would therefore not be usable, or we have to use the switching options with hopefully little loss of quality.
However, as written in the answer, if the second analog output is always -6dB less, this will also be futile.
2.1 Y-adapter
We have always avoided splitting cables or using adapters. If it can be confirmed that neither the level nor the signal quality suffers, we are happy to consider this.
We could have a cable made specifically for this purpose.