RME ADI-2/4 Pro SE – Advanced USB Audio Interface & High-Performance Converter
The latest masterpiece from RME – the ADI-2/4 Pro SE – is a 2-AD/4-DA 768 kHz professional studio quality, High-Performance Converter, and USB Audio Interface. Fitted with loads of premium features and functions, the ADI-2/4 Pro SE is capable of delivering outstanding transparent sound.
RME’s Latest AD/DA Converter Is…
- A high-end AD/DA converter in professional studio quality
- A double headphone amplifier in true high-end quality
- A USB DAC like no other – the most versatile and capable one around
- A high-end AD/DA frontend and headphone amp for iPad and iPhone
- An AD/DA frontend for measurement systems at up to 768 kHz sample rate
- A multi-format converter (AES, SPDIF, ADAT) with monitoring
- An SPDIF/ADAT playback system
- A DSD record and playback solution
- A vinyl player digitizing solution to the 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. The latest 32-bit / 768 kHz converters offer up to 123dBA 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 mute 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 a lockable connector, the ADI-2/4 Pro can be easily powered from a 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 the 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 phone outputs feature mute relays, 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, and +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 a 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, RME 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 be directly connected to turntables. It has suitable input impedance, RIAA equalization, and the necessary preamplification.
Features & Connectivity
- 2 x Mic/Line Inputs
- 1 x ADAT I/O
- 1 x SPDIF I/O
- 1 x AES I/O
- RME USB 2.0
- 1 x Phones or Balanced Pentaconn
- 4 x Line Outputs
- Class Compliant Mode
- Remote
- SteadyClock FS
- DC-Coupled Outputs
Specifications
ANALOG INPUTS:
- XLR/TRS
- Input: XLR and 6.3mm TRS jack, servo-balanced
- Input impedance @ 1kHz, balanced: 90kOhm, unbalanced: 45kOhm
- Input sensitivity switchable +24dBu, +19dBu, +13dBu, +7dBu, +1dBu @ 0dBFS
- Digital Trim Gain range: 0dB up to +6dB, in steps of 0.5dB
- Signal to Noise ratio (SNR) @ +13/19/24dBu: >120dB (AES17), >123dBA
- Signal to Noise ratio (SNR) @ +7/+1dBu: >120dB (AES17), 123dBA
- Frequency response* @ 44.1kHz, -0.1dB: 0.4Hz-20.4kHz
- Frequency response* @ 96kHz, -0.5dB: 0.2Hz-45.5kHz
- Frequency response* @ 192kHz, -1dB: 0.15Hz-90.9kHz
- Frequency response* @ 384kHz, -1dB: 0.15Hz-182kHz
- Frequency response* @ 768kHz, -1dB: 0.15Hz-348kHz
- THD @ -0.5dBFS: > -130dB, 0.0000316%
- THD+N @ -0.5dBFS: -119dB, 0.000112%
- Channel separation: > 130dB @ 1kHz
-
- DC Filter None. With Filter RME @ -1dB: < 0.5Hz
- RIAA Mode via TS
- RIAA deviation 20Hz-20kHz: < ±0.05dB
- Input impedance: 45kOhm @ 1kHz, input capacitance 150pF
- Sensitivity: +14dB: 20mV, +20dB: 10mV, +26dB: 5mV
- Sensitivity: +32dB 2.5mV, +38dB: 1.25mV
- Additional 0 to +6dB Gain in steps of 0.5dB via Trim Gain
- Maximum input level @ +14dB: 11.1mV, -13dBu
- Maximum input level @ +20dB: 22.3mV, -19dBu
- Maximum input level @ +26dB: 44.5mV, -25dBu
- Maximum input level @ +32dB: 89.0mV, -31dBu
- Maximum input level @ +38dB: 178mV, -37dBu
- Digital headroom in all Gains, related to sensitivity: 15dB
- Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR), 20Hz-20kHz, +14/20dB Gain: 88dB, 92dBA
- Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR), 20Hz-20kHz, +26dB Gain: 80.5dB, 85dBA
- Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR), 20Hz-20kHz, +32dB Gain: 74dB, 78.5dBA
- Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR), 20Hz-20kHz, +38dB Gain: 68dB, 73dBA
- THD+N, 20Hz-20kHz, +14/+20dB: -88dB, 0.004%
- THD+N, 20Hz-20kHz, +26dB: -81.5dB, 0.0084%
- THD+N, 20Hz-20kHz, +32dB: -74dB, 0.019%
- THD+N, 20Hz-20kHz, +38dB: -69dB, 0.035%
ANALOG OUTPUTS:
- 1/2 XLR
- Maximum Output Level: +26.5dBu @ 0dBFS
- Output level switchable +24dBu, +19dBu, +13dBu, +7dBu, +1dBu @ 0dBFS
- Signal to Noise ratio (SNR) @ +7/+13/19/24dBu: 120dB (AES17), 123dBA
- Signal to Noise ratio (SNR) @ +1dBu: 119dB (AES17), 120dBA
- Frequency response @ 44.1kHz, -0.1dB: 0Hz-21kHz
- Frequency response @ 96kHz, -0.5dB: 0Hz-44.9kHz
- Frequency response @ 192kHz, -1dB: 0Hz-90kHz
- Frequency response @ 384kHz, -1dB: 0Hz-181kHz
- Frequency response @ 768kHz, -3dB: 0Hz-285kHz
- THD @ 0dBFS: < -120dB, 0.0001%
- THD+N @ 0dBFS: -116dB, 0.00016%
- Channel separation: > 130dB
- Output impedance @ 1kHz @ +24/+19/+13dBu: 213Ohm
- Output impedance @ 1kHz @ +7/+1dBu: 113Ohm
- 1/2 TS (rear) – as output XLR, but:
- Output: 6.3mm TRS jack, impedance-balanced
- Maximum output level: +21.5dBu @ 0dBFS
- Signal to Noise ratio (SNR) @ +19/13dBu: 120dB (AES17), 123dBA
- Signal to Noise ratio (SNR) @ +7dBu: 119dB (AES17), 121 dBA
- Signal to Noise ratio (SNR) @ +1dBu: 118dB (AES17), 118dBA
- Output impedance @ 1kHz: balanced 213Ohm, unbalanced 106Ohm
- Phones 1/2, Phones 3/4 – as Output 1/2 TRS, but:
- Output: 6.3mm TRS stereo jack, unbalanced
- Maximum output level: +21.5dBu @ 0dBFS
- Output impedance: 0.1Ohm
- Signal to Noise ratio (SNR) @ +19dBu (Hi-Power): 120dB (AES17), 122dBA
- Signal to Noise ratio (SNR) @ +7dBu (Lo-Power): 119dB (AES17), 121dBA
- Signal to Noise ratio (SNR) @ +1dBu (IEM): 118dB (AES17), 120dBA
- Output level at 0dBFS, Ref Level +19dBu, load 100Ohm or up: +21.5dBu (9.2V)
- Minimum load impedance IEM @ +1dBu: 4Ohm
- Minimum load impedance Lo-Power @ +7dBu: 8Ohm
- Minimum load impedance Hi-Power @ +19dBu: 24Ohm
- THD @ +20dBu, 32Ohm load (1.9W): -124dB, 0.000057%
- THD+N @ + 20dBu, 32Ohm load (1.9W): -118dB, 0.00011%
- Max power @ 0.001% THD: 2.1W per channel
- Channel separation 20Hz-20kHz: 80dB @ 32Ohm
- Balanced Phones Mode – as before, but:
- Maximum output level: +27.5dBu (18.4V) @ 0dBFS
- Output levels switchable: IEM +7dBu, Lo-Power +13dBu, Hi-Power +25dBu
- Output levels switchable: IEM 1.73V, Lo-Power 3.46V, Hi-Power 13.8V
- Output impedance: 0.2Ohm – Signal to Noise ratio (SNR) @ +25dBu: 120dB (AES17), 122dBA
- Signal to Noise ratio (SNR) @ +13 / +7dBu: 119dB (AES17), 121dBA
- Minimum load impedance IEM @ +7dBu: 8Ohm
- Minimum load impedance Lo-Power @ +13dBu: 12Ohm
- Minimum load impedance i Hi-Power @ +25dBu: 40Ohm
- Max power @ 0.001% THD: 4W per channel – Channel separation: > 130dB @ 1kHz
DIGITAL INPUTS:
- General
- Lock Range: 28kHz-200kHz
- Jitter suppression: > 50dB (> 1Hz)
- Accepts Consumer and Professional format
- AES/EBU
- 1 x XLR, transformer-balanced, galvanically isolated, according to AES3-1992
- Input sensitivity 1.0Vpp
- SPDIF Coaxial
- 1 x RCA, transformer-balanced, according to IEC 60958
- High-sensitivity input stage (< 0.3Vpp)
- AES/EBU compatible (AES3-1992)
- SPDIF Optical
- 1 x optical, according to IEC 60958
- ADAT compatible
DIGITAL OUTPUTS:
- AES/EBU
- 1 x XLR, transformer-balanced, galvanically isolated, according to AES3-1992
- Output level 2.7Vpp
- Format Professional according to AES3-1992 Amendment 4
- Single Wire mode, sample rate 28kHz up to 200kHz
- SPDIF Coaxial
- 1 x RCA, according to IEC 60958
- Output level 0.75Vpp
- Format Consumer SPDIF according to IEC 60958
- Single Wire mode, sample rate 28kHz up to 200kHz
- SPDIF Optical
- 1 x optical, according to IEC 60958
- Format Consumer (SPDIF) according to IEC 60958
- Sample rate 28kHz up to 200kHz
DIGITAL:
-
- Clocks: Internal, AES In, SPDIF In, ADAT In
- Jitter suppression of external clocks: > 50dB (> 1Hz)
- Effective clock jitter influence on AD and DA conversion: near zero
- PLL ensures zero dropout, even at more than 100ns jitter
- Additional Digital Bitclock PLL for Trouble-Free Varispeed ADAT Operation
- Supported Sample Rates for External Clocks: 32kHz up to 200kHz
- Internally Supported Sample Rates: 44.1kHz up to 768kHz
GENERAL:
-
- Included Power Supply: External Switching PSU, 100-240V AC, 3.3A, 40W
- Standby Power Consumption DC 12V: 170mW
- Standby Power Consumption AC 230V: 280mW
- Idle Power Consumption: 14W
- Max. Power Consumption: 30W
- Idle Current at 12V: 1.16A
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 215mm x 44mm x 160mm (8.5″ x 1.73″ x 6.3″)
- Weight: 1.2kg (2.2lbs)
- Temperature Range: +5°C up to +40°C (41°F up to 112°F)
- Relative Humidity: < 75%, non condensing