A DAC that ought to be better known: RME


I just bought a RME ADI-2 DAC on the recommendation of some technological minded audiophiles on another site and am delighted with the sound quality and price point. It isn’t especially user friendly and the multi page user manual is complicated. Plus the DAC has equalization and a great headphone amp, all in a small package. I always thought the Exogal was a great performer but the RME strikes me as superior, especially considering the significantly lower price. I listen to a lot of chamber music and it conveys the timbre of the string instruments exceptionally well. Plus, for the first time in a long while I can actually read the screen and see what’s happening. If anyone out there is looking for a DAC this is worth at least investigating. 
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Showing 6 responses by rtorchia

Adg101 I am going to take your advice on the settings. It’s very confusing about the power upgrade because one gets diverging opinions. But if you all hear a difference it’s difficult to argue with you. I see a Pardo in my future.
Thanks for the suggestions. I do run it directly into the amp. Will definitely get the power supply after a while. 
For the record RME doesn't recommend upgrading the PS. There are many ways to adjust the sound of the RME if you study the manual very carefully. In that respect it is a very professional device. On the Exogal and various other more commercial DAC products aimed at the audiophile market I had no way to adjust anything. The RME PS is notorious for having a finicky locking mechanism but once you secure it all is fine. One of the arguments for upgrading, if that is indeed the right word, is that the fancy PSs are more robust. In the end I think upgrading a PS is like exotic cables--something that can be endlessly debated. 
Teddy Pardo responded to me quickly. I have heard that Small Green Computer is a good, innovative company but have no personal experience. 
For the first time ever I started using XLR balanced cables and put them on the RME, replacing my usual RCAs. A professional audio fellow told me always to get used to a given cable and then change them over one by one to notice the difference better. I know this is a touchy subject but I believe I can hear a difference. So I am very inclined to the PS upgrade after a while.
Thanks for the info. I have been using the RME with a VTV Purifi Eval amp and have been delighted to this up update will be good.