RME ADI-2/4 Pro EX

RME ADI-2/4 Pro EX is a 2-in, 4-out 768 kHz AD/DA converter in a half-rack 1U case, with two headphone amplifiers, digital I/O and a USB-C interface. It brings the latest ESS converters (ES9823Pro and ES9039Q2M) to the familiar ADI-2/4 Pro design.

One unit instead of a stack of boxes

A typical chain needs a converter, a headphone amp, a phono preamp and a computer interface. The ADI-2/4 Pro EX folds them into one case: two servo-balanced XLR/TRS analog inputs, line outputs on XLR and TRS, two stereo headphone outputs on the front (including balanced Pentaconn for headphones and IEMs) plus AES, S/PDIF and ADAT. As a computer interface it runs in stereo mode (2 in, 2 out) or multichannel mode (6 in, 8 out). Reference levels reach down to -35 dBu, so a dynamic microphone can connect directly, and RIAA equalization in Line mode at 0 dB gain lets you use an external phono preamp.

Clock, protection and control

The SteadyClock EX internal clock is factory-calibrated to 1 ppm, and you can trim the sample rate by 50 ppm in 0.1 ppm steps to sync with gear that has no word clock. Each headphone output has its own DC protection, and the power supply has active protection against reversed polarity and overvoltage. The USB-C port locks, is class compliant (UAC 2.0) with iOS, macOS, Linux and Windows 10, and a 1.8 m cable is included. Control is from the front panel, the remote or the ADI-2 Remote app.

KEY FEATURES

• ESS converters: ES9823Pro (ADC) and ES9039Q2M (DAC), sample rates up to 768 kHz
• 2 analog XLR/TRS combo inputs (servo-balanced), 4 DA output channels
• Two headphone outputs with up to 2.4 W per channel into 32 Ohms, balanced Pentaconn output
• AES (XLR, via breakout cable), coaxial and optical S/PDIF, ADAT
• Lockable USB-C (UAC 2.0), stereo 2/2 and multichannel 6/8 modes
• SteadyClock EX, 1 ppm accuracy, +/-50 ppm trim
• Reference levels down to -35 dBu, RIAA in Line mode, 94 kOhm and 47 kOhm input impedance
• DC protection on headphone channels and power supply, ground terminal
• RME remote with four programmable buttons (Multi-Remote Support)

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Analog inputs: 2 x XLR/TRS combo, sensitivity +24/+19/+13/+7/+1 dBu at 0 dBFS
• Input SNR at +24 dBu: 125 dB (AES17), 127 dBA
• Input THD at -1 dBFS: below -127 dB; channel separation: above 130 dB
• Analog outputs: XLR and TRS, max level +26.5 dBu (XLR), SNR 124 dB (AES17)
• Headphone output: 2.4 W per channel into 32 Ohms; balanced mode up to 3.85 W into 32 Ohms
• Digital inputs: AES, coaxial S/PDIF, optical (S/PDIF/ADAT); outputs: AES, coaxial S/PDIF, optical
• Supported sample rates: 44.1 kHz - 768 kHz
• Power: external PSU 100-240 V AC, 40 W, locking connector; 30 W max consumption
• Dimensions: 215 x 44 x 160 mm (W x H x D); weight 1.2 kg (2.2 lb)
• In the box: 1.8 m USB-C cable, external power supply, AES breakout cable