ADI-2 Pro FS R AD/DA Converter - Black Edition

Let's get one thing out of the way: the sound is seriously bonkers.Here's my set up:1. USB out iMac Pro into RME using Audioquest Carbon USB cable.2. Audiolab CD Transport into RME via Optical cable.3. Into Yamaha AV RX 2080 via Optical cable.Plug and Play? Not so fast...First thing you'll need to do is √ "use this device for sound output" at the bottom of the MIDI interface.Selecting it from the device menu alone is not going to do it.Off to the races? Nope...This is probably the least user friendly interface in the universe, and the manual is half an inch thick.A straight forward input selection would have been welcome, and even the remote is not executing simple commands without tinkering.This prosumer device is chock-full of features and you're going to press and turn A LOT OF KNOBS before you figure out how to change settings.I give myself a month to learn this thing through and through.Worth it? (see first line of this review)2023 UPDATE:You learn something new about this unit's featured every day, even 3 years later, so much so that I have now purchased my second one!2023 set up on a secondary system:Inputs:Ipad Pro > Audioquest USB Diamond > RMEYamaha CD A-S3000 > Optical > RME (CD Playback)Yamaha CD A-S3000 > Audioquest Earth XLR > RME (SACD Playback)Output:RME > Audioquest Earth XLR > Yamaha A-S3200 Amp. (the speakers are Mission 770)The RME here is basically used as a preamp and DAC with an infinite number of connection and processing options, from digital to analog, analog to analog, analog to...etc.The graphic EQ allows you to dial in your system to your upmost preference without taking away from the soundstage which is clear and wide with a completely black noise floor.The DAC has every filter option avail and sample rate going from NOS to 720Mhz, which is mad (if you like oversampling).On this system which is analogue to a fault, the RME brings incredible clarity without becoming analytical.This is the ULTIMATE tinker toy, and tinker you will. The manual remains daunting, but if you treat it as an education in audiophile jargon, the more you learn how to use this device, the more it will deliver in return. Worth it!There is no HDMI, Coax or RCA connection here, but I don't really miss them.I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have.

i just fall one time the damn ChiNa remote with under 1m, its broken and have connect problem.

This version is absolutely the best. It's a swiss army knife for your system. Aside from having (hands down) the best audio chain I've ever heard (past preamps include Grace m901 and Oppo HA-1), this system will allow you to equalize and add effects to both your speaker system and headphones separately, and at the same time. The only caveat is if you utilize the balanced headphone capability, it has to shut off the speakers as IT USES ALL 4 D/A CONVERTERS TO LOWER THE NOISE FLOOR AN ADDITIONAL 3 DB. Which I believe is a good thing as it allows 3.5 wpc in balanced headphone mode. Get it, you won't regret it!

Your mileage may vary, take your chances.

One cannot purchase a higher quality DAC for the price or even at much greater prices. To outperform this would require spending an obnoxious amount of money more. Cannot wait to record at silly high quality and then playback at the same.

Make sure you spend enough time with this equipment and you will figure out the best sound possible in your setup since this one is capable of doing exactly that.

After much research I decided on the RME ADI-2 PRO FS R as my DAC of choice and I have to say that I am beyond happy. I'm sure I could further enhance my setup with say a Chord Dave but it comes at a significant price tag. So as far as value for money goes I'm really happy with this purchase.

I just wanted to say in case you are wondering about chips installed on the DAC. I purchased mine from B@H about a week ago. It is November 2022 and I received my DAC with a B at the end which should mean I have the AKM chip version. I called a couple high end audio shops and one said that they all come with the ESS chips now. I don't know about that anymore now that I have seen my serial number. RME never returned my call to inquire about this. I left them a message and decided to buy one anyways. I have the Pro version. The 1900 dollar one as of this date. Not the 2500 dollar new one that just got released. BTW this DAC I have currently running with 2 Yamaha HS8's and a Yamaha SUB. I have it connected with an audio quest cinnamon usb 2.0 C to B on my Mac book pro 2019. It sounds really good! Amazing difference without the DAC. I also have them on iso acoustic pucs on stands. I have an audio quest niagara 1200 power conditioner which really improved some monitor noise issues I was having and sounds a bit louder and sharp crisper. I hope this helps. I wasn't able to download the driver yet, but read the first couple pages of the manual and it will guide you to get 192 out of it through Mac OS , while I try to call support on the driver download. Take Care !