RME ADI-2 DAC FS is it "All That", especially for under $2,000?


I am upgrading my main system with a Mark Levinson No 532H and pair of Tekton MOABs, arriving in the next few weeks. I decided my Music Hall 25.3 DAC should probably be upgraded as well, I have a PS Audio preamp I was planning on still using.

I am getting a lot of recommendations for the RME ADI-2 DAC FS, and some are saying replace my PS Audio preamp with it also. Pretty much every review or even mention of it I can find, comes with descriptions like "End Game product regardless of price" and "State of the art".

Thoughts?
Thanks.
brad1138

Showing 5 responses by luisma31

I am very interested on hearing the comparison of the RME vs D90, I know the D90 measures outstandingly good and 4499 it is indeed a newer AKM but some people which have gotten the D90 have mentioned glitchy performance and said the sound is not engaging as with other similar DACs. Would you mind sharing @OP your upstream source? If you are using DSD with the RME you could take advantage of direct dsd but this will invalidate the DAC DSP and volume control in which case having a preamp still will be a good option.
@joeini how does it sounds? compared to other DACs you might have experienced?
Hi, I think you probably are asking someone else, I don't have the audio mirror dac, although I heard good things about it, I have a project s2 and denafrips terminator and was considering the RME adi-2 and tubadour as well
I am not an owner of this DAC neither I have tried it but I have read
I’m tempted to try a Sbooster or Pardo PS to hear if this thing can get any better.
That an LPS provides some enhancements, I am following this thread because I have been wanting to get one, very split between the DAC and the FS cause I would like to possibly record vinyl

Agreed, most people report excellent results with the stock Dac.I would also look into John Kenny's (Ciunas Audio) super caps LPS, 3A nominal and good cost possibly under $400Anyone here using the ADC to record vinyl? Good results?