• Registered: 2023-12-05
  • Posts: 7

Topic: ADI as a headphone amplifier

Hi,
I was considering purchasing an ADI mainly to use it as a high quality headphone amplifier (as well as a DAC connected via USB to my PC).
What I was trying to understand is precisely which model, among others, is the one that offers the best performance for listening with headphones. I saw that RME has developed ''Extreme Power'' headphone stage, and if I read correctly, ADI-2/4 Pro SE has greater power than the other versions; even if I would certainly never exploit the potential of this converter.
Power aside, I was looking for the best sonic quality.
If You could advise me on the right model for my use, I would be grateful.

Many Thanks
Roberto

2 Reply by KaiS (edited by KaiS 2023-12-05 08:39:39)

  • KaiS
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  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2020-02-05
  • Posts: 3,152

Re: ADI as a headphone amplifier

All three, ADI-2 DAC, ADI-2 Pro and ADi-2/4 Pro SE have about the same signal qualities.

You can’t go wrong with any of those.


Still, if you can afford it, go for the ADI-2/4 Pro SE.
Sooner or later you will appreciate one or more of it’s extra features:

• 4.4 mm TRRRS Pentacon balanced headphones out.
• Dedicated signal paths for Line and Headphones outs, with:
• Rear TRSs as independent secondary Line output.
• Analog input with RIIA vinyl turntable capability.
• Slightly higher headphones power for extremely demanding, “hard to drive” headphones.
• Trigger out function for powering on/off external devices.

KaiS's Website

  • Registered: 2023-12-05
  • Posts: 7

Re: ADI as a headphone amplifier

KaiS wrote:

ADI-2/4 Pro SE.
• Slightly higher headphones power for extremely demanding, “hard to drive”
headphones.

Is this a perceivable difference?
At the moment I only own headphones with a 6.3 unbalanced cable
(K701/DT880-600Ohm/HD650). In the future, however, I could purchase some other more ''important'' balanced headphones, and the 4.4 mm connection could prove useful.

4 Reply by KaiS (edited by KaiS 2023-12-05 11:47:12)

  • KaiS
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  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2020-02-05
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Re: ADI as a headphone amplifier

naim135 wrote:
KaiS wrote:

ADI-2/4 Pro SE.
• Slightly higher headphones power for extremely demanding, “hard to drive”
headphones.

Is this a perceivable difference?
At the moment I only own headphones with a 6.3 unbalanced cable
(K701/DT880-600Ohm/HD650). In the future, however, I could purchase some other more ''important'' balanced headphones, and the 4.4 mm connection could prove useful.

Not with these headphones.

There are very few headphones that can‘t be driven to earsplitting levels with any of the ADI-2 models.

All ADI-2 models have lots of Voltage - for high Impedance - and lots of Current - for low Impedance headphones.

KaiS's Website

  • Registered: 2023-12-05
  • Posts: 7

Re: ADI as a headphone amplifier

Thank You, KaiS.

  • Registered: 2023-12-05
  • Posts: 7

Re: ADI as a headphone amplifier

@KaiS

I ordered an ADI-2 DAC FS this morning... You didn't work in vain :-)