You have an ADI-2 FS, right? Not ADI-2 DAC FS?

Then why not replace it with an ADI-2 DAC FS, which has a built-in equalizer (PEQ)?!
Furthermore, the built-in dynamic loudness is very useful.
Or the possibility to check for end to end lossless transfer of audio with the bit test.

Alternatively, ADI-2 Pro FS if you need analog inputs or even ADI-2/4 Pro SE if you might need to connect a turntable.

All mentioned alternatives/models above just got a very useful remote software called "ADI-2 remote" which got last recently further expansions.

Hi Rob.

Apologies, I overlooked that. You're streaming DSD. In that case, you would indeed need a separate EQ.

However, are you aware that DSD content is initially recorded as PCM (analog-to-digital conversion) and mixed and mastered in the regular WAV format?

Therefore, I don't see any real added value or improved audio quality in DSD. After everything is finalized, there's a conversion to the DSD format, making things more complex.

I also have a high-end setup (Accuphase Class-A amp and B&W speakers, as well as excellent studio monitors). I use an ADI-2 Pro FS in front of both environments ("Home Recording Studio" + HiFi area), achieving a quite nice sound quality.
More importantly, I can take advantage of all the fantastic features the ADI-2 Pro offers – Auto Reflevel, dynamic loudness, PEQ (specifically for headphones) are very useful. Also the ability to run the Bit test to ensure lossless audio transmission end-to-end.

Feel free to proceed as you wish; I just wanted to share my experience as both a dedicated musician (guitarist) and someone with an ambitious setup for recording and HiFi.

Take your time exploring and forming your opinion. Perhaps KaiS can provide more insights on this topic; he is a studio professional and contributes excellent posts on related matters in this forum.

Not sure whether you really need attenuators in front of your horns, maybe the PEQ might help already, but sorry, in terms of horn speakers I have no experience, leaving this topic to somebody else.

BTW .. horn speaker systems are / look really cool, sadly I had no occasion yet to listen to such a system, would be interested though

Have a pleasant Sunday evening.

Ramses,

Life is strange sometimes!   I continued to play with the RME and the NAD to the point nothing was working!   Honestly, it would not play a single note. It could have been because I switch to controlling Tidal with my MAC, and not my Android Phone. All the changing and rearranging crashed the entire system. I closed the door to the room and went to bed.

When I got up this morning, I received a mass-email sent out by Tidal that they were making changes - streaming more FLAC.  I was glad to see that...and went forward and re-subscribed.   I then went upstairs to tackle my stereo system.  I started by replacing the RJ45 on my Ethernet cable.  I had used a cheap one to get temporarily set up. I put a much better plug on the cable and plugged it into the NAD.  Click. Nice sound.   I reset everythig to Factory Settings.  I also chose AUTO for the source on the ADI2.  That was the only change I made.  I turned everything off....and back on...and viola!!!

Everything works perfectly.  No external EQ needed. The NAD is working great. The ADI2 FS is performing flawlessly.  I have no idea what format the streaming is in (PCM, DSD, MQA...etc etc).  No idea.  Everything sounds amazing. PLUS.  I can use the EQ on the ADI2 FS!!!  I am now able to make slight adjustments to the highs and lows.  It makes a nice  a  difference.  What a feeling, to have everything working as it should -  for the first time since I starting streaming a month ago.

Thanks for your encouragement and support!