Read Time: Approx. 20 min.
1001 Features for the Serious Audiophile: The Ultimate All-In-One Solution?
In an industry saturated with USB DACs, AD/DA converters, and dedicated headphone amplifiers, how do you make your product stand out above the rest? In 2016, RME set out to deliver a product worthy of notoriety—one that could flip the industry on its head—the ADI-2 Pro. The component incorporated features no one else was using at the time like two extremely powerful headphone outputs that quickly became a new reference in accuracy and dynamic range. The success of this product paved the way for an even better, more feature-rich unit that customers and developers were demanding—the ADI 2/4 Pro SE.
The ADI-2/4 Pro SE (Special Edition) is a supremely capable AD/DA converter and headphone amplifier that showcases RME's commitment to delivering top-tier audio performance and versatility. As the latest unit in RME's award-winning ADI-2 series, it's even more flexible and powerful than the ADI-2 Pro with newly developed circuitry and a simple, mostly automated operation. The ADI-2/4 Pro SE is a multitude of devices packed into one housing—A double headphone amplifier, a high-end AD/DA frontend for measurement systems, a multi-format converter with monitoring, a DSD record and playback solution, a vinyl player digitizing solution, a SPDIF/ADAT playback system, and a USB DAC like no other.
Suitable for both studio and home use, the ADI-2/4 Pro SE has an extensive feature set and uncompromising sound quality that will make discerning audiophiles and audio professionals rejoice. If you demand the very best in audio performance and flexibility, the ADI-2/4 Pro SE is a reference-level unit that delivers on all fronts.
Let's find out if this DAC and powerful 2-in/4-out converter with DSP, headphone amp, preamp, and vinyl player is the ultimate all-in-one solution.
"I think the biggest takeaway from this product is the amount of customization you can do. Yes, it's a headphone amp and a DAC but there's so much more to the unit's functionality, it's insane. You can create custom curves for every headphone you own and correct the deficiencies in your headphones without needing a dedicated measurement rig. Just find a measurement the headphone manufacturer has done, plug it into the ADI-2/4 Pro SE, and adjust the sound to your liking. You can add a bunch of bass to a bass-light headphone or warmth to an analytical pair. The RME ADI-2/4 Pro SE is a Swiss army knife, you get a preamp, headphone amp, a DAC with all kinds of customizations, balance control, and EQ adjustments.
PROS
- 1001 features & functions at your fingertips
- Perfect neutral, reference sound
- Downloadable interface for Windows & macOS Computers
CONS
- Takes some time to learn all of the functionality
- So many features that you only scratch the surface
About RME
Lowest Latency. Fastest Performance. Unmatched Reliability. Three cornerstones of RME's product design that set them apart from the rest. RME Audio designs innovative, user-friendly, high-quality digital audio solutions for audiophiles and audio professionals who value performance above all else. RME has made strides in the hi-fi industry as the first to deliver professional performance over USB 2.0 and has recently paved the way for multichannel audio on USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt technology for Windows. With a refusal to compromise on any aspect of product design, RME has gained a reputation for quality, performance, and reliability, producing some of the finest audio interfaces, converters, and preamps in the industry. Their products, such as the acclaimed Fireface series and the ADI-2 DAC, are widely used by audio professionals, musicians, and audiophiles worldwide. All RME products are designed to preserve music as it was originally intended and audio signals are passed in their entirety, with nothing added or taken away.
Design
The RME ADI-2/4 Pro SE is a small, perfectly sized unit that won't compete for space on your desktop, bookshelf, or audio stand. Under that little hood are six separate units merged into one adorning package: An AD/DA converter, USB audio interface, USB DAC, analog headphone amp, format converter, and digital monitoring device with five input sources and eight output paths. So you can finally ditch all your separates and buy this all-in-one! No, but really, you could.
The ADI-2/4 Pro SE is no larger than a box of crackers at 8.5" x 1.73" x 6.3" (WxHxD)—that's smaller than a piece of copy paper. The form factor of the ADI-2/4 Pro SE is one of its strongest selling points. Who would think that a unit so small is capable of so much? In fact, that was the exact thought most people had when they saw it at our AXPONA booth. The ADI-2/4 Pro SE's display screen alone has more functionality at your fingertips than most DAPs. Three rotary encoders and four buttons on the front panel control the entire operation. The IPS display screen is a little small and the buttons are placed pretty close together, so if that's a deterrent for you, don't fret they've got an interface you can download on your Windows or MacOS computer and control the entire unit from your keyboard.
The display screen showcases the graphical operation of the ADI-2/4 Pro SE to include 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.
One of the most notable design features is the unit's ability to remember all settings and load them as soon as you turn the device on again. So if you get lost down the rabbit hole tinkering with the ADI-2/4 Pro SE for hours you don't need to worry about remembering every tiny adjustment you made. And if you know you'll be sharing the unit with others the whole device's setup and equalizer settings can be stored under individual names.
Connectors and Controls
The front panel of the ADI-2/4 Pro SE has three hi-precision rotary encoders with push functions, four buttons, a standby power button, a high-resolution IPS display, and two TRS headphone outputs plus one Pentaconn. The largest rotary encoder controls the unit's volume while the two smaller encoders independently control the Bass and Treble allowing you to make quick adjustments as you listen. The flexibility tiny adjustments like that provide you are what makes the ADI-2/4 Pro SE such an ingenious product. Select one of the four buttons on the front to access and adjust the volume settings, I/O settings, EQ settings, and overall Setup. If I were to go into the nitty-gritty of each of these settings we'd be here forever so I'll leave it to the user manual—which does a great job showcasing every tiny function with accompanying graphics and FAQs. The two output channels, 1/2 and 3/4, feed two phones outputs via independent extreme power driver circuits, optimized for both high and low-impedance headphones. With 122 dBA SNR, there is no audible hum and noise at those outputs.
On the rear panel, you'll find two servo-balanced analog inputs on combo XLR/TRS sockets, two TRS sockets as impedance-balanced outputs, two XLR sockets as electronically balanced outputs, TOSLINK optical I/O, a USB socket, a Trigger output, and a lockable power socket. Phew! An included breakout cable is connected to the DB-9 socket and provides AES I/O via XLR and SPDIF coaxial I/O via RCA. The ADI-2/4 Pro SE has two analog line inputs that can operate with levels up to +24 dBu. The DC power socket allows for the use of a rechargeable lead-battery or LiPo instead of a power supply, for completely independent mobile operation and ground isolation.
The ADI-2/4 Pro SE comes with an infrared remote control that works universally with all products in the ADI series. The remote is pre-set to control the ADI-2 DAC but by pressing the SEL button and the #3 the remote will sync with the ADI-2/4 Pro SE. You can control almost all functionality of the ADI-2/4 Pro SE with the remote. Turn the unit on and off, activate bass/treble, PEQ, and loudness, increase or decrease the bass/treble and volume, and switch between left and right channels. Seven programmable keys allow for functions like polarity, crossfeed, and DAC filters to be controlled from the preferred listening position. The default settings are: 1 Source Analog, 2 Source AES, 3 AutoDark, 4 DIM, 5 Source SPDIF Coaxial, 6 Source Optical, and 7 Source USB. Since the unit has two independent stereo outputs, most keys on the remote only influence the currently selected output.
Sound
Testing Gear
Windows PC Computer > Silver Dragon USB Cable (USB A to USB B) > RME ADI-2/4 Pro SE > Silver Dragon Premium Headphone Cable > Meze Empyrean II Headphones
So let's get into the best part about any new piece of audio gear—the sound quality. It's no surprise that the ADI-2/4 Pro SE has compatibility with any headphones you listen to. With the balanced headphone output delivering 3.6W of power, this unit can drive a wide variety of headphones. To push the unit to its limits I paired it with the HiFiMan SUSVARA Headphones, a notoriously power-hungry pair of cans. Compared to the Meze Empyrean II Headphones, I wasn't getting as much headroom with the SUSVARA's and I needed to increase the volume level to get a decent output. So while you can listen to the SUSVARA with the ADI-2/4 Pro SE, they won't be driven as efficiently as they can be with a more powerful, dedicated headphone amplifier. The ADI-2/4 Pro SE excels at powering easier-to-drive headphones like the Focal Stellia, while also providing enough oomph to support the planar magnetic Dan Clark Audio E3 Headphones.
The ADI-2/4 Pro SE has a clean, neutral, natural sound that perfectly reproduces your music. The bass is punchy, but not overly impactful. Timing is precise and everything is heard as the music demands. None of this is surprising considering it's an exceptional component for audio professionals seeking a reference sound. The Analytical listeners who love to revel in the details will be thrilled with the clarity and instrument separation of the ADI-2/4 Pro SE.
Featured: RME ADI-2/4 Pro SE with the Meze Empyrean II Headphones and the Silver Dragon Premium Headphone Cable
Personally, I'm a warm and musical listener and normally I gravitate toward warm-leaning gear but the listening experience with the ADI-2/4 Pro SE was so pleasurable. My listening motto would be "If it doesn't have bass I don't want it," but the ability to quickly adjust the EQ and turn up the bass was AWESOME. It's probably one of the best features of the ADI-2/4 Pro SE. When I listen to music I bounce between genres ranging from jazz to hip-hop and heavy-hitting EDM—just depends on my mood and what pops up next on the queue. So while I'm sitting here working at my desk, I quickly pop over to the unit, adjust the bass and/or treble, and carry on. Does it get much better than that? Audio professionals seeking the most neutral, reference sound will be very pleased with the sound quality of the ADI-2/4 Pro SE, not to mention the features.
While testing the unit, Qobuz sent me "My Weekly Q"—a curated playlist based on my listening history—and I stumbled upon "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" by Michael Jackson. It led me down a rabbit hole, rediscovering so many forgotten MJ songs, one of them being my childhood favorite "Man in The Mirror." I don't think I've heard that song in over a decade and instantly every memory and emotion I had listening to that song came flooding back. I remembered sitting in my family's office playing the lyric video on YouTube and blaring it out of some Office Depot-quality desktop speakers. It was at that moment, with the Meze Empyrean II Headphones on plugged into the ADI-2/4 Pro SE, that I felt the true emotion of the song through Michael's voice in such high fidelity. Experiences like those give me chills and remind me of one of the many reasons I love music.
I could sit and tinker with the EQ settings on the ADI-2/4 Pro SE for hours and barely scratch the surface. As audiophiles, we want a unit that grows with us and adapts to our ever-evolving musical tastes. The pursuit for the perfect sound reproduction is relentless and never-ending and new products are constantly shaking up the industry. What I like about the ADI-2/4 Pro SE is its ability to stay constant. Even as your tastes may change and your headphone and IEM collection grows the unit adapts to suit your listening experience. You can change the tonality of a pair of headphones you might not love anymore and breathe new life into them with an even richer, or more detailed sound. If you're ready to invest in a unit that will grow with you, the ADI-2/4 Pro SE will do just that.
A Tip for Hearing-Impaired Listeners:
The ADI-2/4 Pro SE has a balanced control feature that helps those with hearing loss or impairment. You can easily adjust the balance and EQ in the left and right channels for a more enjoyable listening experience. So, if a listener knows the EQ setting (provided by a doctor), that can be plugged into the ADI-2/4 Pro SE to help with any off-balance.
L'amour De Ma Vie
by Billie Ellish
(Hit Me Hard and Soft)
Man In the Mirror
by Michael Jackson
(Bad 25)
Pon De Replay
by Rihanna
(Music of the Sun)
Sunny Afternoon
by The Kinks
(Picture Book)
Features Explained
The ADI-2/4 Pro SE is packed with features and technology, making it the ultimate choice for audio professionals and passionate audiophiles. I think there's a misconception that RME products are best suited for audio professionals because of its functionality, but they're actually the hidden gem your home hi-fi system is missing. If you're low on space in your setup, consider the ADI-2/4 Pro SE.
I briefly mentioned earlier RME's downloadable driver software that allows you to update the firmware and operate the ADI-2/4 Pro SE from your Windows or macOS computer. One of the downsides to the ADI-2/4 Pro SE is the size of the IPS display screen and the time it takes to learn the functionality of each button. The driver software provides a comprehensive overview of the unit so you can easily adjust the settings and configure things like buffer size and sample rate from your computer. All RME interfaces support multi-client operation so several programs can be used simultaneously—great for audio pros.
Extreme Power Headphone Outputs
To drive insensitive headphones sufficiently, the extreme power output stage acts like a small power amplifier, using 4-fold spread power technology, improved thermal conductivity, and a special super-low distortion driver design. The result is THD below -110dB at 32-ohm load even near full output level—the same SNR as the DAC provides, an output impedance of only 0.1 ohms, totally stable operation, and a frequency response from 0 Hz to 80 kHz, with just 0.5 dB decrease at the top end. This tech delivers no audible hum, noise, or distortion for a fully transparent and crystal-clear sound at any volume setting.
The Headphone sockets of the ADI-2/4 Pro SE have sensor contacts that let the unit know when a headphone jack is inserted or removed. For example, when inserting the headphone jack into Ph 3/4, the ADI-2/4 Pro SE activates the mute relay after half a second, then the DSP ramps up the volume slowly from the lower level to the last used state.
The bass and treble controls allow you to modify the sound to your liking by quickly adjusting the small encoders. The bass and treble controls are limited to ± 12dB and anything exceeding such values should be handled by the EQ. The corner frequency and quality factor of bass and treble are user-adjustable in the display's menu so you can easily adapt your speakers/headphones to your personal tastes.
5-band Parametric EQ, 7-band with Bass/Treble
The 5-band Parametric EQ is a powerful and flexible equalization tool that allows you to precisely adjust the tonal balance of the audio, whether for corrective purposes or creative sound shaping. Each phones output has its own equalizer usable at up to 768khz sample rate with a graphical display showing the resulting curve and multiple storage places including individual naming. This way, whatever EQ setting you need is already loaded and modified quickly. There are three EQs, separately for the analog inputs, and both stereo analog outputs. Bass and treble can become a part of the PEQ, effectively turning it into a 7-band PEQ.
- Band 1 Type: Available settings are peak, shelf, high cut, and high pass. All filters are adjustable from 20Hz to 20kHz, at a Q of 0.5 to 9.9. Cut/Pass have a fixed 12dB/oct filter sleepness
- Band 2-4 Type: Not available, fixed to peak
- Band 5 Type: Available settings are peak, shelf, or high cut. High cut is adjustable from 200Hz to 20kHz, at a Q of 0.5 to 5.0 and a fixed 12dB/oct
- Band 1-5 Gain: Available settings are -12 to +12dB in steps of 0.5dB
- Band 1-5 Frequency: Adjustable from 20Hz to 20.0kHz, in steps between 1Hz and 100Hz
- Band 1-5 Q: Quality factor is adjustable from 0.5 to 9.9 in bands 1 to 3, and 0.5 to 5.0 in bands 4 and 5, in steps of 0.1dB. This equals a bandwidth setting of 2.54 (0.5), 0.29 (5.0), and 0.146 (9.9)
Loudness
The ADI-2/4 Pro SE offers Loudness for both analog stereo outputs so you can decide how much maximum gain in bass and treble should occur at lower volume settings. Users will set the Low Vol reference where maximum gain is achieved. For example, the typical lowest listening volume is at -35dB and that value can be set as the Low Vol Ref in the Loudness menu. Then bass and treble gain can be set between 0 and +10dB. Increasing the volume by turning the volume knob causes the gain in bass and treble to be lowered smoothly over a range of 20dB.
SRC (Sample Rate Conversion)
The ADI-2/4 Pro SE includes an asynchronous stereo sample rate converter (SRC) that allows conversion of the sample rate in real-time. The SRC offers a maximum conversion rate of 1:7 or 7:1, respectively. Thus, 192 kHz can be converted to any sample rate down to 44.1 kHz, and 32 kHz can be converted to any frequency up to 192 kHz. Higher sample rates than 192 kHz are not supported. With SRC active, even non-synchronizable devices (CD-players, DAT machines, etc.) can be used in a setup of digital devices, just as if they were externally synchronized. The SRC decouples input and output clock and sets the output clock to the common reference, thus allowing the combination of different clock-sources.
Crossfeed
Crossfeed is implemented to reduce the artificial surround ambiance that some songs have to make them sound better on speakers. The technology uses the Baur Binaural method with five selectable strengths of narrowing upper frequencies.
SteadyClock FS
The ADI-2/4 Pro SE features an enhanced version of RME's SteadyClock technology, SteadyClock FS ensures exceptional performance in all clock modes. Its highly efficient jitter suppression refreshes and cleans up any clock signal, attenuating even the lowest frequency jitter and providing an even higher jitter suppression at the lowest self-jitter.
Dual Phones Output
Dual phones output makes listening to multiple headphones a breeze. You don't have to unplug and plug back in multiple headphones for easy comparison. Two independent phones outputs use RME's TotalMix FX technology, a DSP based mixing engine, which routes the same audio signal to both outputs with individual volume settings and no need to unplug/plug anything. One phones output, labelled Ph 1/2 on the front panel, shares the Line output signal. Although the phones output has the same specs as the Ph 3/4 output, it's considered the spare phones output for comparing headphones, dual phones usage, and balanced phones operation.
RIAA Mode
The ADI-2/4 Pro SE comes with a RIAA mode, removing the need to use an external phono preamp for digitizing vinyl records. Turntables with moving magnet (MM) phono cartridges can be plugged straight into the ADI-2/4 Pro SE via RCA. RIAA mode has a suitable input impedance, RIAA equalization, and the necessary amplification to digitize records in breathtaking fidelity. This is great for someone who doesn't have a separate RIAA phono stage preamp to digitize their vinyl records.
Operating the ADI-2/4 Pro SE
I'll be honest: I was a bit intimidated when I first unboxed the ADI-2/4 Pro SE and hooked it up to my desktop setup. Although a small, simplistic-looking unit, the ADI-2/4 Pro SE's operation is complex, with practically a limitless number of configurations and functionality. Luckily, RME doesn't leave you hanging, and between the extensive knowledge base on their website and the included user manual that's just shy of a 200-page book, they cover the ins and outs of this unit. RME prevents the unnecessary headaches and frustrations associated with setup by shipping the unit with the Auto setup mode already activated. Basic Mode Auto is the ADI-2/4 Pro SE's default operation mode and when in this mode, the unit will automatically reconfigure itself depending on the connected sources. Simple enough. Users can also manually switch between two additional modes not available in auto.
Preamp: Analog in to Analog out. Preamp mode is automatically activated when Basic Mode is set to Auto and no digital input signal or USB is detected. When enabled, analog signals are automatically routed to the analog outputs and the default sample rate in this mode is 192kHz, which represents the optimum in fully available DSP power and superior sonic transparency.
AD/DA: Analog in to all digital outs, digital in to all analog outs. This converter mode is activated as soon as a digital signal is attached and that signal becomes the signal source. In the case where more than one digital signal is found, the user must manually select the source to be monitored. The SRC is active as default and assigned to SPDIF.
USB: Interface mode or USB DAC mode is activated when a USB is detected, routing all inputs to USB and all outputs are fed from USB. USB has priority over the converter mode and in setup the unit can be configured as a 2-channel or 6/8-channel device. Sample rates higher than 192kHz and DSD128/256 are only available in 2-channel mode.
- Class Compliant Stereo Mode: In 2-channel/stereo mode, only the analog inputs are sent as USB record signal, and the stereo USB playback is available simultaneously at all analog and digital outputs.
- Class Compliant Multi-Channel Mode: With USB connected all digital and analog inputs (6 channels) are routed to USB recording. USB playback will feed all outputs separately (8 channels). In 6/8 channel mode, all I/Os can be used separately. Phones output 3/4 provides USB playback of channels 1/2 when its source is set to Auto (default).
- Loopback Analog Out to USB Record: Optional internal routing of the analog outputs 1/2 and 3/4 to USB record 1/2, 3/4, and 5/6. This can be used to send playback data to DIGICheck Mac, process and re-record audio, and much more. Loopback is the lowest option in the I/O settings menu.
Digital Through Mode: A digital input signal is passed through the unit and can be monitored on the analog outputs at the same time. Automatic clock and source selection of the digital inputs plus the internal D to D routing allows you to insert and monitor AES, SPDIF, and ADAT signals. In the case of ADAT, only channels 1/2 are monitored, but all 8 channels are passed through. As any digital input signal becomes available at all three digital outputs, Dig Thru mode also offers digital format conversion as well as a distribution feature (one source to three destinations).
Balanced Phones Mode: In balanced operation, two identical power amplifiers are used to drive one side of the phones each. In true balanced mode, the ADI-2/4 Pro SE's maximum output level rises to +7 dBu for IEMs, +13 dBu for low power, +25 dBu for high power. Balanced phones mode requires headphones with separate channel cabling for the left and right channels. Output PH 3/4 becomes the left channel output, with former left channel as L+ and former right channel as L−. PH 1/2 becomes the right channel output, with former left channel as R+ and former right channel as R−. Gnd of both connectors stays unconnected.
DAC Mode: Simplifies operation and source selection when the ADI-2/4 Pro SE is used like a typical HiFi DAC—Simple 2-channel stereo operation and easiest switching between the sources to be monitored like USB and SPDIF. In this mode, the source selection of Line out 1/2 also defines the clock source of the unit. Changing SPDIF/AES, the unit will automatically sync to the SPDIF/AES input signal, thus working in clock mode. When switching to USB the unit operates in clock mode master (USB asynchronous).
In all modes (except DAC) phones out 3/4 is freely configurable allowing any possible source to be monitored independently. The ADI-2/4 Pro SE remembers all settings and loads these automatically when it is switched on again.
- Class Compliant Stereo Mode: In 2-channel/stereo mode, only the analog inputs are sent as USB record signal, and the stereo USB playback is available simultaneously at all analog and digital outputs.
- Class Compliant Multi-Channel Mode: When USB is connected, 3 stereo devices are active for recording and 4 stereo devices for playback. since the Phones output continues to follow the Main Out output, the analog outputs can be used to listen to either channels 1/2 or 3/4, but not both at the same time.
Comparisons
The ADI-2/4 Pro SE sits at the top of the ADI-2 series with the ADI-2 FS, ADI-2 DAC FS, and ADI-2 Pro FS R starting the lineup. Of the ADI-2 series, we carry the ADI-2 DAC FS and ADI-2 Pro FS R Black Edition which I'll be comparing to the ADI-2/4 Pro SE.
The ADI-2 DAC FS is the home and hi-fi optimized version of the ADI-2 Pro FS R, giving you the best possible playback for your home audio listening sessions. It's got the same DSP engine, analog circuitry, feature set, and sound quality as the ADI-2 Pro FS R, but what sets it apart are the features oriented for hi-fi listening. So instead of TRS jacks the ADI-2 DAC FS uses RCA connectors for the second line output. This makes it easier to integrate the unit into your existing hi-fi systems. When connected to a source device via the USB port, the ADI-2 DAC FS functions as a normal audio interface and can be paired with Android and iOS devices. The ADI-2 DAC FS is the perfect unit for music lovers and audiophiles who want the best digital-to-analog conversion from the comfort of their home.
The ADI-2 Pro FS R sits in the third iteration of the original ADI-2 Pro and is RME's flagship for stereo recording, measurement, and mastering applications. Sporting the same compact form factor as the other ADI-2 series products, the ADI-2 Pro FS R is an exceptional multi-channel AD/DA converter recording up to 24-bit/192kHz and delivering pristine bitstream audio recordings with a maximum of 768kHz.
Audio Quality
Cost
Catalog
Device Support
Offline Playback
Qobuz
Hi-Res (24-bit/192kHz) or (24-bit/96kHz)
Lossless FLAC (16-bit/44.1kHz)
MP3 (320kbps)
Qobuz Studio: $10.83/month (available in Solo, Duo, Family plans)
Qobuz Sublime: $14.99/month (available in Solo, Duo, Family plans)
Qobuz Family: $17.99/month with up to 6 accounts
Over 250,000 Hi-Res albums across every genre
Over 100 million tracks in Lossless CD quality
Compatible with Windows, macOS desktop; Apple iOS, Android Mobile/Tablet; Smart TVs; Chromecast; Apple CarPlay; Android Auto
Astell&Kern DAP Music Players, Aurender Music Streamers & Servers, Bluesound Music Streamers & Speakers, Bryston , dCS Network Players, Esoteric N-05XD Headphone Amplifier, USB DAC & Network Player, Naim, iFi Audio
Yes, users can download tracks for offline listening on mobile devices
Amazon Music Unlimited
Lossless Ultra HD (24-bit/192kHz)
Lossless HD (16-bit/44.1kHz)
Individual: $10.99/month
Family: $16.99/month with up to six users
Single Device: $5.99/month
Student: $5.99/month
(Discounted Plan prices for Prime members)
Over 100 million songs in HD quality
Over 7 million songs in Ultra HD quality
Compatible with Apple iOS, Android Mobile/Tablet, Amazon Alexa Echo devices
Yes, users can download songs, albums, and playlists for offline listening
Apple Music
Hi-Res Lossless Audio (48kHz-192kHz)
Lossless Audio (Up to 48kHz)
Student: $5.99/month
Individual: $10.99/month
Family: $16.99/month with up to six users
Over 90 million songs and 30,000 playlists with the world's largest classical music catalog
Compatible with all Apple devices; CarPlay; Windows, macOS desktop; Android Mobile/Tablet; Amazon Alexa Echo devices; Google Nest; Smart TVs (Samsung); Playstation & Xbox
Yes, users can download and add up to 10,000 songs to their personal library for offline listening
Deezer
16-bit FLAC Lossless CD-quality (16-bit/1411kbps)
Free Plan
Premium: $11.99/month
Duo: $15.99/month with up to 2 users
Family: $19.99/month with up to 6 users
Over 120 million songs with expansive categories based on mood, activity, genre
90 million tracks in HiFi streaming quality
Compatible with Windows, macOS Desktop; Apple iOS, Android Mobile/Tablet; Xbox; Smart TVs; Amazon Alexa Echo devices; Android Auto, Apple CarPlay; Chromecast; Google
Bluesound Music Streamers & Speakers, Sony DAP Music Players
Yes, users can download songs for offline listening as well as import an existing music collection from another streaming service
Pandora
AAC
Free Plan
Pandora Plus: $4.99/month
Pandora Premium: $9.99/month
Family, Student, and Military Plans available at a discounted rate
Uncertain
Compatible with Windows, macOS Desktop; Apple iOS, Android Mobile/Tablet; Smart TVs; Voice assistants (Alexa, Google); Apple CarPlay
Yes, users with the Pandora Premium Plan can listen offline
PrestoMusic
Hi-Res Audio (24-bit/192kHz)
MP3, FLAC
Streaming: $10.99/month
Streaming Plus: $14.99/month
200,000 Classical and Jazz Albums
Over 70,000 Digital Booklets
Compatible with Windows, macOS Desktop; Apple iOS, Android Mobile/Tablet
Yes, users can download songs in MP3 and FLAC file format for offline listening
Spotify
Free Plan:
Automatic (24kbps-128kbps)
Normal (up to 128kbps)
High (up to 160kbps)
Very High (up to 320kbps)
Premium Plan:
Automatic (24kbps-320kbps)
Normal (96kbps)
High (160kbps)
'Very High' Bitrate of approximately 320kbps - Considered 'Lossy'
Free Plan
Premium Individual: $10.99/month
Premium Duo: $14.99/month with up to 2 users
Premium Family: $16.99/month with up to 6 users
Premium Student: $5.99/month
Over 70 million songs
Compatible with Windows, macOS Desktop; Apple iOS, Android Mobile/Tablet; Apple CarPlay, Android Auto; Playstation & Xbox; Smart TVs
Bluesound Music Streamers & Speakers, dCS Rossini APEX Player, Naim Mu-So Wireless Music System
Yes, users can download up to 10,000 songs each on 5 devices for offline listening
SiriusXM
For online streaming: AAC, MP3
On-demand Content: AAC, MP3
Car & App Plans:
Platinum: $23.99/month
Music & Entertainment: $18.99/month
Music Showcase: $13.99/month
App-Only Plan: $9.99/month
No central library catalog. Instead, a curated selection of over 425 channels
SiriusXM App available on Apple iOS, Android Mobile/Tablet; Windows, mac/macOS Desktop; Smart TVs; Amazon Alexa Echo devices; Google
Uncertain
TIDAL
Max: Hi-Res Lossless Codec FLAC (up to 24-bit/192kHz)
High (up to 16-bit/44.1kHz FLAC)
Low (up to 320kbps)
MQA
Individual: $10.99/month
Family: $16.99/month with up to 6 users
Student: $4.99/month
110+ million tracks
Compatible with Windows, mac/macOS Desktop; Apple iOS, Android Mobile/Tablet; Apple CarPlay, Android Auto; Playstation & Xbox; Smart TVs; Chromecast; Amazon Alexa Echo devices
Bluesound Music Streamers & Speakers, dCS Network Players, Esoteric N-05XD Headphone Amplifier, USB DAC & Network Player, iFi Audio, Matrix Audio Music Streamers, Technics SL-G700M2 SACD Player & Network Music Player, Roon
Yes, users with the Individual and Student plan can download songs for offline listening
All three of these RME ADI-2 products are phenomenal. As you go up the series, each unit incorporates more features and technology that match its price point. If you're looking for a great external DAC to add to your system, try the ADI-2 DAC FS. It's used most commonly as a DAC throughout the audiophile community but its incorporated headphone amplifier makes it a great option for someone looking for a headphone playback system. The ADI-2 Pro FS R Black Edition takes it up a notch with an incorporated preamplifier on top of the headphone amp and DAC. So if you want a single combo unit instead of three separate, the ADI-2 Pro FS R is the way to go. And if you want the most advanced option, the ADI-2/4 Pro SE delivers you everything the two other units offer but with a phono preamplifier—perfect for serious vinyl listeners.
Ultimately, the perfect unit for you will depend on your current audio system setup. Are you ready to invest in your first DAC & Headphone Amp combo unit? Do you need a way to digitize your vinyl records? Will you be performing headphone measurements? Regardless of the unit you choose, you'll be impressed with RME's sound quality, dedication to audio performance, and a plethora of features and functionality that make the ADI-2 series components supremely capable and worth every penny.
Dragon Audio Cables
[Silver Dragon USB Cable- USB A to USB B]
When you're investing in a high-quality component like the ADI-2/4 Pro SE you want to guarantee you get every penny and more back in performance and sound quality. As audiophiles, we want the exact same thing from our gear and that's why we exclusively use our Dragon Audio Cables to test and listen to hi-fi gear. When using the ADI-2/4 Pro SE in USB mode it was only natural to use our Silver Dragon USB Cable. We couldn't recommend this cable more if we tried. The Silver Dragon USB Cable is our best-selling USB Cable, offering an extraordinary amount of detail and resolution to your hi-fi system. Not to mention when you're pairing the unit with your favorite pair of cans, the headphone cable matters too. Investing in premium gear only makes sense to invest in premium audio cables too.
Our HiFi Audio Dragon Cables bring out more of what you love in your music and audio gear. If you love your headphones but wish they had a bit more top-end sparkle - a Silver Dragon Headphone Cable would be a great option. If your USB cables keep dying - as many stock cables do - then check out our quality USB Audio Cables. We say time and time again that materials matter, and our audio cables and custom geometries actually help to bring out those desired properties in your gear and music. We make tons of custom options for our customers so that you can get the right HiFi Audio cable for your exact needs. If you have any questions feel free to Contact Us and we'll be more than happy to help.
Featured: Silver Dragon USB Cable with USB-A and USB-B connectors
The Swiss Army Knife of AD/DA Converters
If you could only buy one unit for your entire audio system setup—yes, only one—the RME ADI-2/4 Pro SE should be your first choice. The price-to-performance ratio of this unit is unmatched. There are so many products on the market that cost way more and do way less, but the ADI-2/4 Pro SE stands out. At the price point, you're paying for performance and the ADI-2/4 Pro SE delivers on that front. To be honest, it's so good for the price it should almost be worth more—don't get any ideas now RME!
There's nothing more important to audio professionals than a lack of noise so between the lack of noise and how clean and neutral-sounding it is, it makes for an excellent reference tool to check mixes. All of RME's software perfectly complements audio pro tools for seamless integration into the current workflow. Discerning audiophiles can correct deficiencies in their headphones' performance by adjusting the EQ settings on the ADI-2/4 Pro SE. Insert the headphone measurements done by the manufacturer and quickly adjust any peaks or dips in the frequency response to deliver a tailored sound.
You've probably heard plenty of hi-fi components referred to as a "Swiss Army Knife" but this is no exaggeration. Every product in the RME ADI-2 series is bursting at the seams with functionality and the ADI-2/4 Pro SE stands tall among the pack as an extremely flexible unit with brilliant specs and features. If you're looking for the ultimate high-fidelity playback system with endless customizations, the ADI-2/4 Pro SE will grow with you and your musical tastes. Say goodbye to all your separate components, and hello to the only all-in-one unit you'll ever need.
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What's in the Box
- ADI-2/4 Pro SE
- Remote Control with Battery
- External Switched Power Supply with IEC socket, lockable connector, DC 12V 40W
- Power Cord
- Digital Breakout Cable AES/SPDIF (BO968)
- USB 2.0 Cable, 6 ft.
- Quick Start Guide
- Manual
Specifications
Included Power Supply: External switching PSU, 100 - 240 V AC, 3.3 A, 40 Watts
Standby Power Consumption: DC 12 V: 170 mW, AC 230 V: 280 mW
Idle Power Consumption: 14 Watts
Max. Power Consumption: 30 Watts
Idle Current at 12 V: 1.16 A
Dimensions (WxHxD): 215 x 44 x 160 mm (8.5" x 1.73" x 6.3")
Weight: 1.2 kg (2.2 lbs)
Temperature Range: +5° up to +40° Celsius (41° F up to 112°F)
Relative Humidity: < 75%, non-condensing
Digital Clocks: Internal, AES In, SPDIF In, ADAT In
Jitter Suppression of External Clocks: > 50 dB (> 1 Hz)
Effective Clock Jitter Influence on AD and DA Conversion: Near zero
PLL (Phase-Locked Loop) Features: Ensures zero dropout, even at more than 100 ns jitter. Additional Digital Bitclock PLL for trouble-free varispeed ADAT operation
Supported Sample Rates for External Clocks: 32 kHz up to 200
Internally Supported Sample Rates: 44.1 kHz up to 768 kHz
