ADI-2 Pro EX! (Page 2 of 2)

Have any details been revealed about the 2/4 EX version? This is the first I'm hearing about it.

Officially not yet.

Any updates regarding a release date?

Hello MC,
I've read chapters 18 and 19 of the ADI-2 Pro EX manual carefully, so I understand the current design: normal DSD playback is converted to PCM inside the DAC chip to enable volume control, while DSD Direct keeps the pure 1-bit path — at the cost of volume control, phones output 1/2, and balanced phones mode (activating Balanced Phones temporarily deactivates Direct DSD).
My use case: HQPlayer applies volume upstream, before its delta-sigma modulator. The incoming DSD stream already carries the correct level while remaining a true 1-bit stream. For this workflow, the missing hardware volume in DSD Direct is not a limitation — but the loss of the phones outputs and balanced mode is.
My request, in order of ambition:

An expert option to route DSD Direct to a phones output at fixed level, off by default, behind a clear warning ("full-scale fixed level — volume must be controlled in the playback software; risk of hearing/headphone damage"), ideally re-confirmed once per power cycle.
If technically feasible: balanced phones in DSD Direct. I assume the balanced mode's phase inversion is normally a DSP function and the DSP cannot touch the bitstream — but if the DAC chip's per-channel phase-invert registers remain functional in the direct path, the inverted legs could perhaps be generated at chip level without leaving the 1-bit domain. If that's impossible with the current converter, a one-line technical explanation in the manual/forum would already be valuable.

I fully support the conservative defaults — I'm asking for a clearly marked opt-out for setups built around player-side volume, where the ADI-2 Pro EX is currently so close to being the perfect pure-DSD headphone rig.
Thanks for considering it — and as always, thanks for documentation that actually explains how the device works.
Best regards, Michael

it is now avaliable
https://www.thomann.at/rme_adi_2_pro_ex.htm

are there any reviews or comparements to previous versions?

From the manual, chapter 5.1:

The connector is USB-C as of all contemporary devices these days.
The format is universal, with fitting cables (USB-C to USB-A) it can be connected to computers without USB-C.

BTW: the same is true the other way round for all older ADI-2 models.

No power is drawn from the USB-bus.

I don‘t use adapters, just fitting cables - the best of both worlds.

I do not yet own any device that takes real advantage of USB-C.

Still, I think a unified plug is the right path, longterm.
Of course it has to be a relatively small plug to be universal, with all the downsides connected to this.

If I look at the boxes containing a multitude of computer interface cables that I have collected over the years, not to mention the wall-warts and chargers … I’d consider USB-C a progress.

I own an ADI-2 PRO FSR Black Edition.
I use that as DAC-AMP for my Audeze LCD-X.
I can tell, depending on the setup the RME is connected to, that the 'hum' is definitely there.

I was wondering if the new NT-RME-13 semi-grounded power adapter would be retro-compatible with the previous version of the ADI-2 and if so, where that can be bought?

I'm in Europe.
Italy, Spain, France

Adaptertech ATS024T-P120

Looks like there's one of these recommended by Thoman.
They say RME, but the pictures actually gives the real model name up.
It seems to be grounded given the electrical cable connection..
I just noticed..

Thomann sells it under NT-RME-12 because Thomann gets it from RME and it is original RME.

Be careful using the Adaptertech number, as that one is the same for at least three versions on the market: 2 prong mains (ungrounded), 3 prong mains (fully grounded) and 3 prong mains (soft-grounded) RME.

I've just received a new Pro Ex. I bought it from Thoman (shipped to the UK) last week, and looks like I may have bought their last one as they are out of stock for weeks now, but it does look like some UK retailers now have stock.

I'm mainly using it to power my LCD-X headphones (which are pretty new), mainly for mix and master checking (I use an Apollo X8 G2 with a Trinnov Nova for my monitors).

So far impressed, after dialling in (close to) a Harman curve EQ and some cross feed, I've got them sounding close to my Amphion Two18's. So I'm hoping for good mix translation.

I may try the line outs and see how it performs as a monitor DAC in a few weeks.

Whilst I'm here, does anyone know if there is a way to make the display stay on all the time?  Mine seems to time out after a few seconds, and I want to keep the metering on if possible.

Edit - Ignore my question, I managed to find the setting. 

ADI-2 Remote app -> Device tab -> Display pane -> AutoDark switch (far right) set to off.

For those having a "hot' (thermally) ADI-2 Pro:

Besides the cooling situation (rack-mounted or free air) the environmental temperature makes a significant difference.
In summer the room temperature easily can be 15-20°C higher than in winter, which is reflected in ADI-2's temperature.

As long as one can still touch it, no need to worry.
I once measured the temperature and got (as far as I remember) about 15°C above environmental temperature. for the original silverface ADI-2 Pro, when free standing.

BTW: output level doesn't make a difference as far as headphones listening with normal 'phones and non-ear-splitting levels are involved.
Even less so the line out's levels.

The Achilles heel of electronics aren't the semiconductors like processors and transistors, but the temperature dependent electrolytic capacitors.
Every 10°C less doubles their life.

Good ones, like there ones used in ADI-2 have an average life span of 5,000 hours at 105°C.
This makes about 80,000 hours or 10 years continuous use at 65°C (typical internal temperature when stuffed in a rack).

As RME devices can easily survive longer than that I'd suggest to switch off stuff not in use.

ADI-2's standby state (with the red led circle around the power button illuminated) does consume 0.3 W of power only, so almost the entire system is truly off, and ADI-2 does not heat up the slightest.

Regarding electrolytic caps deterioration:
Loss of capacitance usually is not the main point.
Most prominent is the rise of ESR (internal resistance) that keeps the cap from doing its filter work.
This can lead to ripple in the supply voltages, which negatively affects all other circuits.

Another effect is leakage of electrolyte that spills across the circuit and damages it.
Some series of small SMD caps are largely subjected to the problem, but they're not the only ones.
I have not seen this one inside ADI-2 yet, but I've seen other amps where not a single cap survived.

I do not have ADI-2 Pro or its brothers. I have old ADI-2 and it indeed has handfull of electrolytic capacitors. Despite the fact, that many RME devices have external DC source.... they have inside circuitry to make of it voltages needed in quality needed. So, it is highly probable that all RME devices have more or less electrolytic capacitors.

As KaiS wrote, ADI-2 in standby take almost no energy, so almost no heat disipation, so capacitor should be OK. Unless DI-2 is packed in rack and gets heat from other devices... Or is placed on direct sunrays for long time...  But, in that case even switching it off would not help much.

Well, it depends... It may be easily several hours a day, but mainly it may develop pretty high temperatures. I mean, higher comparing to when unit is on.

Bi-polarized “nichicon MUSE” acoustic series (Type UES / green):
- Temperature Range – 40 to +85°C
- Life/Endurance 1000 hrs
https://www.nichicon.com/en-us/

That's surprising. It begs the question. Why not design direct coupling with clipping protection?