• Registered: 2019-10-04
  • Posts: 9

Topic: ADI-2: Why only 32-bit data format is supported in driver-less mode?

While the ADI-2 supports all sample-rates from 44100 to 384000 [Hz] in driver-less mode (Windows Class Complaint) and automatic switching of sample-rates it only supports 32-bit data format. Why are not 16-bit and 24-bits supported as well? As is the most common case of other DACs and built-in sound cards?

That’s the reason why, for example, Tidal cannot work in WASAPI mode with the ADI-2 and so achieving bit-perfect playback. Tidal uses the following sample formats:
- In 16-bit: 44100, 48000 [Hz].
- In 24-bit: 44100, 48000, 88200, 96000 [Hz].

When starting a new track, Tidal queries the output device to check if the current sample format (channels/bit-depth/sample-rate) is supported by its interface.
- When yes, Tidal uses WASAPI exclusive mode and the track is then rendered bit-perfect on the output device.
- When not (always the case with ADI-2 given its interface only supports 32-bit data), Tidal falls back to “shared mode” when the Windows Mixer down/up-samples the tracks to the current bit-depth/sample-rate set under Windows sound properties/Advanced before it reaches the DAC.

With application likes Foobar and MusicBee is possible to use the ADI-2 in WASAPI mode (push) only because these programs offer the option to set manually the output format to 32-bit (not necessarily bit-perfect playback anymore) but trying with 16/24-bit won't work.

Would it be possible then to add support for 16-bit and 24-bit data format?

  • Registered: 2019-10-04
  • Posts: 9

Re: ADI-2: Why only 32-bit data format is supported in driver-less mode?

Anyone @RME that could give some feedback? Thanks.

  • ning
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  • Registered: 2019-06-08
  • Posts: 579

Re: ADI-2: Why only 32-bit data format is supported in driver-less mode?

RME could upgrade they firmware to support 16 and 24 as well.
Your music software can also be programmed to support 32 bits. You need to contact the software developers to make a request.

If you don't want to wait, use ASIO.

  • Registered: 2021-03-15
  • Posts: 105

Re: ADI-2: Why only 32-bit data format is supported in driver-less mode?

Afaik Tidal does not support 24-bit & 44100, 48000, 88200, 96000. 16/44 is maximum or MQA, which is 13-15 bits and 48khz max.

Apple Music, Amazon HD and Qobuz support 24 bits & >48k.

5 Reply by oliman (edited by oliman 2022-05-19 10:24:00)

  • Registered: 2019-10-04
  • Posts: 9

Re: ADI-2: Why only 32-bit data format is supported in driver-less mode?

ning wrote:

RME could upgrade they firmware to support 16 and 24 as well.
Your music software can also be programmed to support 32 bits. You need to contact the software developers to make a request.

If you don't want to wait, use ASIO.

Exactly...

  • Adding firmware support to 16 and 24 would be one solution from RME side.

  • Adding support for 32-bits in TIDAL would be another possibility from TIDAL side. I already opened a ticket about this on TIDAL support.

yes ASIO would be the ideal solution, but TIDAL doesn't support that. Really a shame, but I am just trying to find a realistic solution.

  • Registered: 2019-10-04
  • Posts: 9

Re: ADI-2: Why only 32-bit data format is supported in driver-less mode?

NoisyNarrowBandDevice wrote:

Afaik Tidal does not support 24-bit & 44100, 48000, 88200, 96000. 16/44 is maximum or MQA, which is 13-15 bits and 48khz max.

yes, TIDAL do support  24-bit & 44100, 48000, 88200, 96000...look at my first post

oliman wrote:

  Tidal uses the following sample formats:
- In 16-bit: 44100, 48000 [Hz].
- In 24-bit: 44100, 48000, 88200, 96000 [Hz].

7 Reply by MC

  • MC
  • MC
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  • From: Germany/Thailand
  • Registered: 2007-04-06
  • Posts: 25,586

Re: ADI-2: Why only 32-bit data format is supported in driver-less mode?

We will have a look again on adding support for 24 bit mode in Class Compliant mode. Please be patient, I will publish news as soon as we have those.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

MC's Website

  • Registered: 2019-10-04
  • Posts: 9

Re: ADI-2: Why only 32-bit data format is supported in driver-less mode?

Thanks, I appreciate it. Please also 16 bits.

9 Reply by ning (edited by ning 2022-05-19 17:06:12)

  • ning
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  • Registered: 2019-06-08
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Re: ADI-2: Why only 32-bit data format is supported in driver-less mode?

16 bits is super unuseful. almost no device supports it anymore nowadays.
even apple's macbook pro internal headphone jack is 32bits.

if your software does not support 24, your software is very broken...

uac usually has at most 3 alt settings. if you occupy them by 16, 24, 32 (I've never seen such device btw), you won't be able to further extend it (such as native DSD, which usually sit at altsetting 3)

  • Registered: 2019-10-04
  • Posts: 9

Re: ADI-2: Why only 32-bit data format is supported in driver-less mode?

OK, thanks for the clarification.

  • Registered: 2019-10-04
  • Posts: 9

Re: ADI-2: Why only 32-bit data format is supported in driver-less mode?

Hello @MC. Any update on the 24 bit support for CC mode?

  • Registered: 2023-10-21
  • Posts: 11

Re: ADI-2: Why only 32-bit data format is supported in driver-less mode?

any news on this? have firmware updates since addressed these matters?