RME AD Converter (ADI2DAC)

This is a stunningly good DAC/Headphone amplifier. I have just seen a review by Specman which says that it does not support basic functionality and specifically mentions Tidal. The fact is that the DAC is not to blame for the lack of ASIO functionality but Tidal - and it is fixable with the installation of ASIO player software. Tidal’s lack of support for ASIO (Audio Stream Input Output) is the problem. Also some users, especially Windows based, might not know how to set up their computer to get the best quality output to send to the DAC.I use mine to play standard CDs on a CD drive and also direct stream from my computer via downloaded FLAC and other file formats and also HD streaming services with excellent results.A US based review website had the RME ADI-2 FS a close second in the top ten DACs of 2020 (The Master Switch). Also it has been measured by experts against other much more expensive offerings and come out if not on top, a very close second.There was also a technical review of the ADI-2 showing excellent measurements. The same reviewer published his findings of one of the Schitt Audio dacs showing a number of flaws by comparison with the ADI-2. This review led to a number of negative and disgruntled comments from the Schitt community in particular. I notice that a very highly regarded American YouTube reviewer and Schitt (well it is an American company) advocate does not seem to have mentioned this German offering. I’ve also heard, rather than actually read the ‘reports’ that some find it harsh and a bit ‘old school’. In my view these are reports based on prejudice whether conscious or not rather than real listening. I have a very revealing system which shows any inherent defects in any unit which is plugged in and I can tell you this dac is neither harsh not sounds ‘old school’.I recommend this DAC without reservation.

If your main source of music is Tidal stream then do not buy this DAC. It simply does no allow Tidal to use it in an exclusive mode with forced volume. As a result Tidal stream will always go through Windows mixer, where it gets re-sampled and gets volume controlled. This is something that people should know before they'll make a purchase decision. Unfortunately this is not a unit specific issue but a well known problem. I suppose not well enough though, as I have found out about it after the purchase... As far as sound is concerned it is a decent DAC but by all means not a game changer. It is the best of the ifi and Arcam that I also have, however by a small margin. Pairing Arcam with a good Class A headphone amp does outperform RME. I my opinion its price is more dictated by the DSP tricks that it does than by the sound quality.