• Registered: 2023-09-26
  • Posts: 2

Topic: Newbie question: RME ADI-2 DAC FS & Volumio Streamer

Good Morning!
I am a very new user of the ADI-2 DAC FS and I would like to use it with my Volumio Streamer (based on a Raspi4).
The DAC is listed in the Volumio compatibility list.
Should I be able to control the Volume via volumio app or is a volume-control anyhow via usb-connected streamer impossible?

Thanks a lot & best regards!
Michael

  • Registered: 2023-04-03
  • Posts: 13

Re: Newbie question: RME ADI-2 DAC FS & Volumio Streamer

Non-techie comment: So you have two volume controls, one in the Volumio app and the other on the RME, which in turn can be done with the knob on the RME or the buttons on the RME remote control.

Get an app that reports the volume (sound pressure level) coming into the microphone on your app device. Then you can play around with pairs of settings, one on the app and one on the RME, that result in the same SPL. Do you hear any difference in audio quality? Probably not, but you can find out for yourself.

So choose a fixed setting for one device and use the other one to control volume.

3 Reply by KaiS (edited by KaiS 2023-10-15 08:21:49)

  • KaiS
  • DAW Mastermind
  • Offline
  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2020-02-05
  • Posts: 3,525

Re: Newbie question: RME ADI-2 DAC FS & Volumio Streamer

MichaelPB wrote:

Should I be able to control the Volume via volumio app or is a volume-control anyhow via usb-connected streamer impossible?

There are several options to to control the volume:

• On your Volumino streamer, I guess.
• Directly on ADI-2 DAC.
• With ADI-2’s infrared Remote Control.
• With ADI-2 DAC’s Remote App via USB. The app runs on Windows, MacOS and Apple iPad.

Technically it’s better to control the volume inside ADI-2 than on the streamer, as this maintains the full digital resolution.



The 4 ADI-2 version’s names are mixed quite often.
The model you’re heading for is:

ADI-2 DAC FS, the one with the LCD display:
https://www.rme-usa.com/files/uploads/RME-Products/Converter/ADI-2-DAC-r.png

An ADI-2 FS does exist too, it doesn’t have a display, USB, and represents a different concept:
https://www.rme-usa.com/files/uploads/RME-Products/Converter/ADI-2-FS.png

KaiS's Website

  • Registered: 2018-09-12
  • Posts: 15

Re: Newbie question: RME ADI-2 DAC FS & Volumio Streamer

MichaelPB wrote:

Good Morning!

Should I be able to control the Volume via volumio app or is a volume-control anyhow via usb-connected streamer impossible?

Thanks a lot & best regards!
Michael

It should be possible to set the volume control to "off" in Volumio so you get bitperfect output to the DAC. Use the volume control of the DAC as it is better.
You can even check for bitperfect playback with the ADI 2 DAC FS if you like.

I've been using Moode-Audio for years, it works great. It's similar to Volumio.

  • Registered: 2023-09-26
  • Posts: 2

Re: Newbie question: RME ADI-2 DAC FS & Volumio Streamer

entertainme wrote:
MichaelPB wrote:

Good Morning!

Should I be able to control the Volume via volumio app or is a volume-control anyhow via usb-connected streamer impossible?

Thanks a lot & best regards!
Michael

It should be possible to set the volume control to "off" in Volumio so you get bitperfect output to the DAC. Use the volume control of the DAC as it is better.
You can even check for bitperfect playback with the ADI 2 DAC FS if you like.

I've been using Moode-Audio for years, it works great. It's similar to Volumio.

Yes, thats how I did it now. Additionally, I created a plugin which sends IR-Commands to the DAC when Volume is changed in Volumio. So I am able now to control the volume of the DAC with Volumio.

6 Reply by Curt962 (edited by Curt962 2023-10-16 23:28:43)

  • Registered: 2019-01-07
  • Posts: 1,463

Re: Newbie question: RME ADI-2 DAC FS & Volumio Streamer

I've been using an RPI-4/ADI-2 DAC Combination now for quite some time.

My Solution was to lock the RPI-4's Volume at 100%, and make Volume Changes via the RME only.

As stated earlier, this preserves Bit Integrity, and I can assure the RME Bit-Test Utility will PASS at all Sample Rates/Bit Depths.

I'm enjoying it right now.  Picore Player, and Logitech Media Server (LMS) make this happen, as both were orchestrated by many of the same skilled people.  The "Squeezer" app on my Smartphone allows me to control program selection, and I never need to move.

Great for Old People!  smile

Do it this way, and worry no more.  (The Pi is Awesome!)

Enjoy!

Vintage 2018 ADI-2 DAC. "Classic AKM4490 Edition"
Cables:  Red, and White Ones.
Speakers:  Yes