• Registered: 2024-12-15
  • Posts: 4

Topic: HELP! Clock questions for inputs

Hey, I wish to use my RME ADI 2 FS as my external DAC for my Bluesound Node gen3, should I be using USB or COAX for highest quality, and does it still apply that using COAX will default to using the Streamer as the clock, and using USB will use the DAC as the clock? I wish to allow the RME to clock where possible.

Is the possible audio quality the same with USB vs COAX now? 24/192, etc? I believe the RME may have the capability to streamer higher than that, but most streamers\apps cap at 24/192 I think (I use TIDAL and Amazon UHD).

2 Reply by KaiS (edited by KaiS 2024-12-15 23:55:32)

  • KaiS
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  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2020-02-05
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Re: HELP! Clock questions for inputs

I assume the model you have is ADI-2 DAC FS.
ADI-2 FS is a different one without USB and LCD.

On ADI-2 DAC it’s very simple:

Clock always automatically follows the selected input:
USB input -> USB clock
Coax input -> Coax clock
Optical input -> Optical clock

See manual page 27.

The clock select field is greyed out, so no manual selection possible.
This might be a little confusing, as ENC 2 is marked in the field, this is a “residue” from the “Pro” models and can be ignored.

ADI-2’s FS clock in any case effectively almost completely removes jitter, so full audio quality is maintained even with lesser sources.


USB offers the highest sample rates.

Still I suggest to use Optical, as it offers “galvanic isolation”, which can prevent noise being transferred from the streamer through ADI-2 to a connected power amp (“ground loop”).

Optical’s 192 kHz highest sample rate is the optimal one for ADI-2, as higher ones limit it’s DSP capabilities.

KaiS's Website

  • Registered: 2024-12-15
  • Posts: 4

Re: HELP! Clock questions for inputs

Thanks! And yes the DAC FS is what I meant, sorry I didn't realize there was another one.

So after reading page 27, it sounds like my suspicion is correct. It will still use the Bluesound node clock with SPDIF\Coax, and with USB it will use the internal RME clock (preferred). I'm just presuming an instrument like the RME with FC is a "better" choice than the hardware used in a BlueSound Node gen 3.

I have no concerns whatsoever for a ground loop or GI, I've never experienced such a thing in my stereo, and since I've already spent the cash on a fancy high end USB cable, I have no intention of spending that money again on an optical one. Also, I'm only going up to 24/192 anyway because I don't believe there are streaming services that offer anything above that, and I use Tidal and Amazon UHD.

I have no interest in having a music server with files for super, unreal hi-res. I prefer vinyl for music that I'm keeping copies of, and don't wish to also have to manage a hard drive with all the downloading and uploading. 24/192 is good enough for me, I'm over 40 and my ears aren't golden.

4 Reply by KaiS (edited by KaiS 2024-12-16 00:29:47)

  • KaiS
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Re: HELP! Clock questions for inputs

• Even with Optical / Coax ADI-2’s Femto-Seconds Clock removes any clock jitter, there’s no difference to using USB in this regard.

• Any 2 bucks optical cable will do, same as above, there are no “better” or “worse” 1’s and 0’s in a digital transfer.

• An expensive USB-cable does not solve ground-loop related noise.


Anyway, if USB works fine for you, use it.
If you don’t hear noise, you don’t have a noise problem.
Else, see above.

KaiS's Website