The RME ADI-2 DAC FS is a High-Transparency, Versatile, Low-Priced Audiophile Dream Machine (Ep:54)

Great product. The latest PRO version just released (RME ADI-2/4 Pro SE) has ADCs so you can use it as an analogue preamp and even more powerful headphone amp, digital outs as well if you need to connect it to an active monitor or some other device. You can even use it as a phono pre with built in RIAA equalisation for playing or digitising records.

Got this unit paired with a purifi power amp, 'chefs kiss'

I used the AKM4493 version for a few years and loved it. Great upgrade was an iFi Elite 15v power supply.

Parametric EQ could really come in handy.

Honestly, I'd disagree with you on performance. Imo it's very overpriced based on sound quality alone. If you use all the features with frequency then sure it might be worth it to that individual.

Comparing the both,as countless people say,Chord Qutest betters this one easily!

Video might have been improved by showing its screen displaying real time analyzer of frequency spectrum and sliding bars for volume. This might be of interest to those trying to impress their buddies... Another addition--the parametric eq can save a variety of settings, even settings per the various outputs; however, where it may be most unique is in being able to store independent EQs per left and right channel. So if your hearing differs by ear, you can tailor very well for your needs with IEM or traditional cans. This is not affecting a more conventional EQ for listening to your speakers. Thank you for review.

Actually the volume control is not 100% digital. When AutoRef feature is enable (which is factory default), it uses a brilliant combination of gain steps + digital attenuation. For the end user it is seamless: just turn the volume knob up and down and it does its thing. But the way that it is implemented means the bulk of the volume is set by the gain and only a little digital attenuation is used. This maximizes SNR, especially in low volumes.

I paid a lot of attention to this DAC a couple years ago when there were several favorable comparisons to the Chord Qtest. I believed about a year ago when I saw reviews of the ifi idsd neo rendered this a moot point because it costs ~50% more than the ifi which is a multi bit DAC and dare I say also renders MQA.

I am a proud owner of this unit and I really love it. Anyway, nice video

That is my day to day go-to DAC. It’s a very good DAC indeed.

I have followed Soundstage and your reports for decades and you are now an institution, a ray of light of understanding and good judgment in this over populated world of fake, unexperienced, sold and amateur reviewers, some even with technical pretensions. Great review for an awesome product, I sell it and also use it for my own listening sessions and product development due to its flexibility, low noise and neutrality. Also you said many truths about "audiophile mentality" stuck in decades old dogmas. Thanks for your fine work.

The best audio product I have ever bought, I love the PEQ and Crossfeed options, it's incredible.

Have in mind that the new ess version comes with a cable patch on pcb, that is manual soldered. Great device , but firstly make sure that it don’t mind you or that the one you take does not have it. There is much discussion at forums…

Do you collect old school skateboard decks?

Its hardly low-priced. The unit itself is so lightweight it slides back every time you press a button. Sorbothane pads fixes this. At least the sound isn't lightweight!

I use it as a preamp , in my system (Iphone Camera Adapter,PC,PS4, Sony UHD BluRayPlayer, Yamaha AX870 + Infinity Kappa 90, Teufel Headphone). Its few steps forward in sound stage. Best choice i made. RME make a very good job 👏🏻 Real Professional Stuff in HiFi World for Customer Enduser.

Is anyone using this DAC with an Atoll amplifier? Or with Focal speakers? Any feedback?

You are great! You are so clear and concise. Can't ask for more than that. I decided I would be better off with a less "accurate" dac for many of my classical music recordings which can sound shrill on neutral dacs just like the vinyl versions of them did back in the day with neutral phono cartriidges. I decided on the D300 Rohm chip dac from SMSL whch sounds euphoically colored and reminds me s bit of the Shure V15 Type III G cartridge with the spherical sty;us. That is, less incisive than the eliptical stylus version but very lifelike and pleasant sounding on virtually all of my classical music recordings.

With the new Windows, Mac and iPad Remote software from RME (ADI-2 Remote), isn't it time to re-review this DAC? Whatever obstacles and understanding issues the unit caused due to its overcrowded display and functionality - it's all super-easy now...barely an inconvenience...

I have had the DAC for over three years now and I no longer use the preamplifier. The loudness function is truly incredible, you hear no difference between 50 dB - 90 dB of course the sound pressure increases, but the frequencies are not increased or decreased. There is one thing you definitely need to replace, the difference between the standard power supply and a linear power supply is enormous. It is best to compare the difference in reproduction quality with the solid state or a tube amplifier. Mind you, without distortion, it sounds warmer but certainly not woolly. The linear power supply costs almost the same as this DAC, but once you hear the difference, you will regret that you did not purchase this power supply directly.

How can I use it as a DAC only? do I need to configure something on it?

What equivalent sound quality streamer would you suggest to pair with it ?