• Registered: 2024-12-21
  • Posts: 2

Topic: RME ADI 2 as a preamp for 2.1 setup using both XLR and RCA outputs

Hello, I did see some posts regarding using adi-2 fs as a preamp for a stereo setup but as I am quite new to all this, I didn't understand completely and  still have some doubts. I want to add a sub to my stereo and upgrade my power amp, I am considering Rotel Rb 1552 mk ii power amp and svs sb 2000 pro sub, I somehow thought that the svs sb 2000 pro had high level inputs so I considered simply running connection from the rotel power amp to the sub would do the job, but that doesn't seems to be the case and svs sub only has line level inputs, so i thought I would have to use rca splitter to feed both sub and power amp from rme adi 2 fs dac.

Later I came across a post that said that both xlr and rca outputs from the adi-2 fs dac can work simultaneously and xlr can be user for power amp and rca for sub, but then I also read about different levels output between rca and xlr, which I didn't understand to be honest and now I am confused what would be the best way to setup the 2.1 stereo system.

Option 1:   source->RME ADI 2 fs->sub input->sub output->power amp->speakers

Option 2:   source-> RME ADI 2 fs XLR-> Power amp->speakers         (what about difference in xlr and rca output levels?)
                              RME ADI 2 fs RCA-> sub

Option 3:   source->RME ADI 2 fs->RME ADI 2 fs RCA splitter->Line1-> Power amp->speakers     
                                                                                            Line2-> sub


Which option is better and is there another way?

P.S. I apologize if this a stupid thing to ask....

2 Reply by KaiS (edited by KaiS 2024-12-21 14:07:42)

  • KaiS
  • DAW Mastermind
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  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2020-02-05
  • Posts: 3,653

Re: RME ADI 2 as a preamp for 2.1 setup using both XLR and RCA outputs

Funnily all three options would work, while 3 is a functional duplication of 2.

Don’t care about the level difference between XLR and RCA.
Subs have their own level controls that need to be set to your preferred bass amount anyway.


If you have speakers that can’t do full range in the bass - which is true for most except the very big ones - option 1 is best.
Most subs have a soft shaped low cut filter for the main speakers that frees them from some bass to work more clean in the remaining spectrum.


There are setups for options 2 (preferred of those two for balanced main speaker connection) and 3 that can achieve something similar, if option 1 is not possible.

Look here, case 1 is for you.
The posting includes a comprehensive setup guide:
https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.ph … 12#p155312

KaiS's Website

  • Registered: 2024-12-21
  • Posts: 2

Re: RME ADI 2 as a preamp for 2.1 setup using both XLR and RCA outputs

Thank you, also the setup guide seems really helpful, I'll try it once I get my hands on the amp and sub.