• From: Central Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2024-01-21
  • Posts: 33

Topic: ADI-2/4 Pro SE / Analog Output Stage

I just hooked up an ADI-2/4 Pro SE.  Prior to this, I was using the ADI-2 DAC FS with AKM4493 chip. 

Besides the Auto Reference level, are there any differences between the XLR (1/2) analog output stages between those 2 units? 

I have an Ayre QB-9 Twenty DAC with the same ESS ES9038Q2M chip, which I also like.  From a DAC standpoint, I know it's been mentioned there is no difference between the AKM and ESS versions of the ADI-2 products, if the same digital filter is being used. 

There is something about the sound of the ADI-2/4 that I really like.

2 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2024-03-06 15:22:50)

  • ramses
  • DAW Mastermind
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  • From: UTC+1
  • Registered: 2012-10-14
  • Posts: 12,095

Re: ADI-2/4 Pro SE / Analog Output Stage

One ref level more for auto reflevel.
The other output on the back (TR, not XLR) is now balanced (TRS) and you can dedicate the 2nd DA converter for it.

See also model overview in terms of differences.
https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.ph … 06#p165706

Or also KaiS' posting and my reply:
https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.ph … 17#p214717

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub13

3 Reply by KaiS (edited by KaiS 2024-03-06 15:33:44)

  • KaiS
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  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2020-02-05
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Re: ADI-2/4 Pro SE / Analog Output Stage

Same named DA-filters between AKM- and ESS-chip are all different.
This is well documented in the ADI-2 manuals.

The “Sharp“-filters are close enough that I can’t detect an audible difference, but are not my favorites.
https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.ph … 60#p195160


On ADI-2 Pro (AKM) I like “Slow” the most, on ADI-2/4 Pro SE (ESS) “SD LD”:

The differences are subtle, and only appear at sample rates 44.1 and 48 kHz.
On sample rate of 88.2 kHz and above all filters sound the same to me, or to say it better, are out of the way.

KaiS's Website

  • From: Central Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2024-01-21
  • Posts: 33

Re: ADI-2/4 Pro SE / Analog Output Stage

Thanks fellas... I've seen those differences mentioned.  I was wondering if there was a "hardware" difference in the analog output stages between the various units, notwithstanding the differences in outputs available.

I was listening to "Slow" and I just switched to "SD-LD". 

I'm enjoying it.