RME ADI-2

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Fake Price: $1,149.00

Real Price: $949.00

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RME ADI-2 Overview

The ADI-2 is a both compact and extremely flexible 2-Channel Hi-End AD/DA-converter. The small 9.5" unit offers top notch AD/DA-conversion from/to SPDIF, AES and ADAT, at up to 192 kHz. Its ability to use SPDIF, AES and ADAT format provides outstanding compatibility. Whatever it is - simply get connected!

Key features of this extraordinary flexible converter are balanced inputs and outputs, monitoring via headphone out, SteadyClock for optimal converter quality, 3-stage hardware input and output level control, and its capability to run on a wide range of power supplied.

RME ADI-2 Features

The ADI-2 is equipped with a balanced stereo line input via two Neutrik XLR/phones combo jacks, a balanced stereo line output with XLR plus separate and simultaneously active phone jacks, as well as an adjustable headphone output.

The analog inputs and outputs use the same circuit design as RME's famous ADI-8 DS, guaranteeing outstandingly low noise and distortion. Three different settings for the input and output levels each provide perfect compatibility on analog domain. A further highlight is SteadyClock^(TM), a proprietary clock technology for maximum jitter suppression. SteadyClock guarantees superb sound quality completely independent from the quality of the current reference clock. The ADI-2 uses the latest generation of AD/DA-converters capable of up to 192 kHz sampling frequency at S/N ratios up to 119 dBA.

But the ADI-2 has more to offer than tremendous sound, it also gives you exciting digital connectivity. Its transformer-balanced coaxial (RCA) SPDIF I/O has switchable Channel Status to make it fully AES/EBU compatible. The optical TOSLINK I/Os can handle up to 192 kHz and also serve as ADAT I/O with up to 96 kHz sample rate. You can even use SPDIF input and ADAT output or vice versa in AD/DA mode.

The clear layout and the distinct labeling of the front panel with its functional buttons, the informative status displays, a 6 LED level meter as well as the tidy functional back panel make it easy to operate the unit right out of the box. Protective rack handles and a strain-relief for power cord and audio cables are further useful details that make the ADI-2 even more unique.

RME ADI-2 Universal Power Supply

Following the 'Universal Power Supply' philosophy of RME's Digiface, Multiface, QuadMic und OctaMic, the ADI-2 comes with an external switching power supply. The unit's additional internal switching power supply has been specially designed and optimized for audio applications. It accepts any voltage from 7 to 30 V, be it AC or DC, and even runs on batteries and rechargeable batteries.

RME ADI-2 Tech Specifications

Input AD: 1/4" TRS jack and XLR via Neutrik combo jacks, servo-balanced, completely symmetrical, DC-coupled signal path
Output AD: ADAT optical or SPDIF optical, SPDIF coaxial, AES/EBU compatible
Input DA: ADAT optical or SPDIF optical, SPDIF coaxial, AES/EBU compatible
Output DA: 1/4" TRS jack and XLR, servo-balanced, DC-coupled signal path
Dynamic range AD: 110 dB RMS unweighted, 113 dBA
THD AD: < -110 dB (< 0.00032%)
THD+N AD: < -104 dB (< 0.00063%)
Crosstalk AD: > 110 dB
Dynamic range DA: 116 dB RMS unweighted, 119 dBA (unmuted)
THD DA: < -103 dB (< 0.0007 %)
THD+N DA: < -100 dB (< 0.001 %)
Crosstalk DA: > 110 dB
Input/Output level, 0 dBFS @ Hi Gain: +19 dBu
Input/Output level, 0 dBFS @ +4 dBu: +13 dBu
Input/Output level, 0 dBFS @ -10 dBV: +2 dBV
Sample rate internally: 32, 44.1, 48, 64, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 128, 176.4, 192 kHz
Sample rate externally: 28 kHz - 200 kHz
Frequency response AD/DA, -0.1 dB: 5 Hz - 21.5 kHz (sf 48 kHz)
Frequency response AD/DA, -0.5 dB: < 5 Hz - 43.5 kHz (sf 96 kHz)
Frequency response AD/DA, -1 dB: < 5 Hz - 70 kHz (sf 192 kHz)
Accepted power supply voltage DC 8 V - 28 V, AC 8 V - 20
Dimensions 215 x 44 x 130 mm
Warranty: 2 years

RME ADI-2 Connectivity

1 x Stereo Analog I/O
1 x ADAT or SPDIF I/O (optical and coaxial, AES/EBU compatible)

RME ADI-2 Accessories

External Power Supply for CardBus (NTCB-EU)
Line Cord for Power supply (NETZ-CB)
Car Cable for CardBus (AUTOK)
Cable for Storage Battery (AKKUK)

RME Products Review / See All ZenPro Audio Reviews Here: Review Page

I have used RME PCI cards and breakout boxes and converters over the years, and have never seen an issue with reliability or stability. Overall I think the most stable PC drivers in the industry would have to have RME among them: I mean this stuff just works…and works…and works. As Vince from Sham-Wow says, “you know the Germans make good stuff”. In this case I would certainly say it is proven true.

Digital connectivity is never easier than choosing the right RME product, from ADAT to SPDIF to AES to TOSLINK to MADI to Wordclock, they really have it all. Latency is virtually non-existent thanks to ultra low latency drivers and on board DSP power that takes the load off your computer. “Totalmix”, RME’s internal routing matrix is INCREDIBLE. It took me a while to wrap my brain around it but once I did, I realized I can send anything anywhere at anytime with no noticeable latency at all. Multiple headphone mixes and splits? No problem, RME is on it with Totalmix.

The “Steadyclock” wordclock technology is also just awesome stuff. I have witnessed this clock snap those 1’s and 0’s in line on many a device and it always made an improvement when it was the master. Many RME devices have Steadyclock as standard, it can make a real difference. The A/D and D/A conversion of RME is clean and neutral for the most part, not huge or small or anywhere in between, but pretty true to the source overall. An RME converter will never get in the way of a good recording.

Conclusion: No matter the connection you need to make, RME has it covered. My personal experience has been glitch free and for that reason I am proud to be an authorized RME dealer.

Reviews:

(2 Ratings, 1 Review)

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Producer

VLG (Washington, DC) 3/2/2011 6:47 PM

I'm not an engineer and I'm not versed in the technical aspects of AD converters so let me get that out of the way. But I am a person with a good ear with the goal of making the very best sounding recorded music possible. More than one knowledgable person recommended the RME based on its price/quality ratio (compared with say Apogee or Lynx). I have been impressed by the RME, along with the engineers that have used it tracking on my projects and their projects. While mixing some tracks, I asked one world-renowned engineer that has 16 channels Apogee and 32 channels RME which is the best and he proclaimed "Apogee" but when pressed further he acknowledged (with a smile) that the RME quality was just as good and that he could not discern any material difference in quality between the two. You won't be seeing my RME on Ebay anytime soon.