RME vs Newer Chinese DACs - Who Wins?!

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00:00 Intro
00:25 Features
05:32 Sound
08:45 vs Topping E70 velvet
11:43 vs SMSL SU-10
14:15 vs Gustard A26
15:38 vs Chord Qutest
17:44 Used as a Preamp
20:21 Headphone Out
22:04 Conclusion

Test system:
Spirit Wind Speakers

#hifi #audiophile #dac #stereo

[shonen]

Wonderful detailed overview, thanks! Love my RME. Paired with my Focal Clear Mg - I have graduated from the audiophile hobby. I got everything I need

[andyl]

I just found out about the RME today and this was exactly the information I was looking for. Thank you for the great reviews.

[jonibz]

Having the ability to eq my headphones on the RME is great, and have been enjoying it for a couple of years as a dac as is on my speaker system. thanks for the great comparisons and in-sight.

[deanslater]

Thank you very much for taking the time to make this DAC comparison video.
One of the most informative and useful videos on the subject

[pasch_]

Still loving the ADI-2 2 years into owning it.

Pairs beautifully with the Meze Empyrean and Focal EVO 65s.

[gg]

The RME Parametric EQ is an unmatched feature. You can really compensate for your faulty room acoustics, from a frequency response point of view. Unmatched.

[Raymondey]

As always - the best sound signature description on YouTube 👍Thanks! 🙏

[garfythecat]

I've been using this for a few months now and I can't imagine ever needing anything else. It has tons of power, so many features and sits neatly on my desk.

[seanb]

Nice review. I really enjoy the RME PEQ filters that let me cut bass where my room modes are. Also this DAC allowed me to ditch my preamp so one less box.

[SimonP]

I just bought one of these, in part thanks to this review so thank you. I upgraded from a Hifiman EF400 and as much as I loved the EF400, this is definitely an upgrade in every way, especially the PEQ side of things which I need. It offers so many other features that I will find useful that I see it as being my end-game, absolutely amazing.

[chengo]

Great review ! have this DAC since it appears on the market and I use it with a Decware tube amp of 2, 3W and also with a FirstWatt F5 amp !
I can tell you that with both amps, the sound stage is really wide, just the depth could be you always want more of everything and this review was great because of the comparison with the new Dacs like the Gustard.
I chosed it because of the volume attenuator, when you listen to Qobuz for example, you have always quite a lot of gain difference between albums so the remote to set the volume is a must for me.
Something else not mentionned in the review, is the possibility to compensate in some ways, your room acoustic and I can tell you, with this RME you can play around with so many parameters that some users sold it because it was too much for them and they wanted something more straight forward !
Also RME is mainly producing professionnal equipment for recording studio, the quality control is surely a strong point here, I hope RME would come out with a R2R DAC sometime but I doubt it, this DAC seems to be just a side production "for fun" may be !

[ffs]

I love you so much man. Youre my favourite hifi youtuber by far

[nikolaygramchev]

I will not try to add anything after your review except confirming that ADI-2 FS to the tube otl Feliks Audio Echo2 is a killer chain for headphones.

[cruise]

Great video, you explained it very well. I agree the RME is featured packed and unmatched.

[NosEL]

The RME is solid, the Parametric EQ is what sets it apart in my opinion...well also the fact that is very well made with quality parts and chassis. The RME will still be going strong 20 years from now..I dk about all these other flavor of the month dacs. Although I think I want to try out the Gustard R2R.

[ianorigbo]

You just said all I've thought of the RME. Really good review. 👌

[DropoutSound]

We must get it clear in our heads that the RME ADI-2 is not made for audiophiles, it is created as a measuring instrument for ie. mastering. So it sounds exactly as the digital signal should sound, no more and no less, with maximum transparency. All other products insert character/stage/etc. intended by the designers. RME doesn't, it simply gives you the actual picture, then it's up to you to add amplification stages to give the desired colour.

[Alexander-zsrj]

I have a RME Adi-2DAC FS, was my Best Buying Choice. Next is a SPL AMP. Both in a System with so much Sounding and Dynamic Ranges could be my Privat Reference System to my Old Infinity Kappa 90 Loudspeakers.

[Berkanann]

Great review!
I used to own the ADI-2, paired with different amplifiers like Burson 3XP and others. Great d/s DAC indeed. Parametric EQ, loudness function which you can calibrate on each output is really appealing. Soundwise it is indeed on similar level than Qutest. To me, none of these DACs can compete though when it comes to proper R2R (sound only). The feature set of ADI-2 is unmatched to date.

[pbea]

I think comparaison with Denafrips would be interesting. On the other hand, I own an RME and my views are consistent with your conclusions 👍