Based on many years of continued feature development of the ADI-2 Pro, RME unveils the next addition to the countless award winning ADI-2 Series. The latest masterpiece comes with a newly developed circuit board, improved specs and faster DSP for an outstanding transparent sound signature, extreme power headphone amplifiers including IEM power setting, super low noise 4.4 mm Pentaconn balanced connection, trigger out function for powering on/off external devices and finally an RIAA mode for directly digitizing vinyl discs in highest quality.
RME's latest AD/DA converter is:
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A high-end AD/DA converter in professional studio quality
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A double headphone amplifier in true high-end quality
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A USB DAC like no other - the most versatile and capable one around
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A high-end AD/DA frontend and headphone amp for iPad and iPhone
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An AD/DA frontend for measurement systems at up to 768 kHz sample rate
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A multi-format converter (AES, SPDIF, ADAT) with monitoring
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An SPDIF/ADAT playback system
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A DSD record and playback solution
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A vinyl player digitizing solution on highest level
A Multitude of Devices compressed in one Housing
The ADI-2/4 Pro SE is a 2-channel analog input to digital and 4-channel digital to analog output converter in a half-rack (9.5") enclosure of 1 U height. Latest 32 bit / 768 kHz converters offer up to 123 dBA signal to noise ratio. Reference class tech specs throughout are combined with an unprecedented feature set. A powerful DSP adds all kinds of useful audio processing, including 5-band parametric EQ, fast Bass/Treble adjustment, Crossfeed, and a new concept in Loudness sound control.
The ADI-2/4 Pro includes two servo-balanced analog inputs on combo XLR / TRS jacks, two separate balanced and unbalanced outputs on XLR and TRS, two stereo Extreme Power headphone outputs on the front for easy balanced operation of all headphones, including IEMs via Pentaconn connector.
Also available are optical SPDIF I/O, which also understands ADAT, as well as coaxial SPDIF (RCA) and AES I/O (XLR) via an included breakout cable. This universal set of I/O options offers superior quality and flexible connectivity to those who take a no-compromise approach to audio.
With independent balanced outputs for Line and Phones, balanced phones no longer mutes the rear outputs. Balanced Line and Balanced Phones outputs can be used simultaneously, even with different sources/signals. The balanced TRS in the back can be fed from Line 1/2 or Phones 3/4 signal path, perfect for handling insert effects during the mastering process.
A high resolution IPS panel for the graphical operation surface eases operation even more, and displays further functions provided by the DSP, namely Peak level meters, a 30-band analyzer in DIGICheck biquad filter technology, and a State Overview screen listing the current states of SPDIF, AES, USB and clock.
The USB 2.0 port is fully Class Compliant (UAC 2.0) a standard that is natively supported by operating systems like iOS, macOS, Linux and Windows 10 (since 1709), and is also used for firmware updates. Including an external switched power supply with lockable connector, the ADI-2/4 Pro can be easily powered from battery, opening up mobile applications as well as galvanically isolated use cases.
As a computer interface the ADI-2/4 Pro offers a stereo (2 in / 2 out) and a multichannel mode (6 in / 8 out). Compatibility with macOS comes right out of the box. Under Windows the ADI-2/4 Pro uses RME's MADIface series driver, for full WDM and ASIO compatibility and highest performance.
Extreme Power Headphones - The new Reference in Accuracy and Dynamic Range
RME’s developed Extreme Power headphone stage is now further improved and delivers incredible more powerful headphone outputs (2.1 Watts unbalanced, 3.4 Watts balanced at 32 Ohms, per channel). With a Special IEM mode, the Lower noise Extreme Power design adds additional IEM power states (High power, Low power, IEM) for full IEM compatibility.
All three phones outputs feature mute relay, over-current detection, DC protection, plug detection and DSP control, like auto assigning volume, volume ramp up, auto balanced mode, dual phones mode, user interaction at overload detection, and low impedance level meter auto scaling.
RME’s latest True Balanced mode realizes balanced phones operation independent from the XLR outputs. The device now features 2 balanced input channels and 4 balanced output channels. Balanced headphones only use DAC channels 3/4 and the rear outputs can still output an independent signal via DAC 1/2. In True Balanced mode the ADI-2/4 Pro SE’s maximum output level rises to +7 dBu for IEM, +13 dBu for Low Power, +25 dBu for High Power. The signal to noise ratio stays unchanged.
Even more Flexible and Powerful
The new Trigger Out socket provides a 12 V switching signal via 3.5 mm mono jack plug, which can be used e.g. to switch power amps with Trigger In on and off together with the ADI-2/4 Pro.
In order to make operating the ADI-2/4 Pro SE as flexible as possible, the unit has a universal DC input socket, accepting voltages from 9.5 Volts up to 15 Volts. An internal switching regulator of the latest technology with high efficiency (> 90%) prevents internal hum noise by operating above audible frequencies. Internally the switching regulator is followed by standard linear regulators, followed by super low-noise linear regulators. Therefore the ADI-2/4 Pro SE achieves its technical specs even with less optimal power supplies. Or in other words: the choice of power supply is not critical.
Shortly after the release of the original ADI-2 Pro we received many requests for digitizing vinyl records. Thanks to MM (Moving Magnet) compatibility, the ADI-2/4 Pro SE does not require an external preamplifier anymore and can directly be connected to turntables. It has suitable input impedance, RIAA equalization, and the necessary preamplification.
Extended Multi-Remote Support (MRC)
The ADI-2/4 Pro remote control provides buttons for standby on/off, volume, balance, bass and treble, input selection (optical, coaxial, USB), mute, on/off loudness, bass/treble and EQ. In addition, there are four programmable buttons that provide access to 52 different functions and commands for maximum flexibility. There is no other converter or comparable device with such a sophisticated, easy to use and at the same time versatile remote control . To control the ADI-2/4 Pro SE code table 3 needs to be activated so that the SEL LED lights up in red color.