This unit is usually used as a single solution. For USB multi-interface use there is no way to clock sync them (one must be master, the other slaves). But no sync output (like AES or SPDIF) exists.

Multi-interface use is possible with an ADI-2 Pro, as it has all the means to sync several units. But that is also a very seldom application, at least with that unit. I do it daily when testing and measuring, but the high demand on USB resources (due to it supporting 768 kHz) requires to put every ADI-2 Pro on separate USB busses.

One Pro can be the master for 2 more ADI-2 DAC (via SPDIF optical and coaxial), but then you basically don't need to run the DACs via USB anymore.

Thanks, I understand.

I guess the remaining option (if I want to have the ADI-2 DAC with it's consumer features) is to use a multi-channel SPDIF interface like the MiniDSP U-DIO8 and set the ADI-2 DAC SPDIF clock to external source.

My fear with that option (on top of the extra cost of the U-DIO8) is that it basically offload the great ADI-2 clock to a clock of unknown quality / De-Jitter specs.

I salute you guys @ RME for the consumer efforts with the ADI-2 DAC, I hope it'll be a commercial success and even posted my own raves on it on computeraudiophile.com.

If you are open to suggestions from the community then me and my friends know for a long time that there's an untapped market and a big gap for consumer multichannel interfaces options.
not necessarily just for Video or 5.1 music content but also for integrating a subwoofer or two into an audiophile system (2.1ch, 2.2ch) and sometimes also doing a 3way active crossovers (btw both are applications which the ADI's DSP could be uniquely helpful, although not a must to begin with as we can and do use software DSP available in JRiver/Roon and others).

Some people are using pro audio gear for that purpose today, but it is not ideal for many reasons. Others, like me, use an HDMI prepro just for the multichannel and keep waiting for the one DAC to rule them all (ADI-2 DAC came really close).

We don't need format licensing and AVR features - we do it all in software - decoding, upsampling, DSP, Room Correction, etc. 

I'll be happy to share more

In any case having an ADI-2 DAC with even just one more analog output would be a boon to JRiver, Roon, Computer Audiophile and ASR communities. 6ch/8ch will be a game changer. Stacking/chaining (like in Pro) is also an options but will diminish price attractiveness.

Sincerely,
Ron

Interesting! Even with the external interface as the master clock?

Yes I realized that, software volume is the option (could also be remoted). Or if by chance the ADI's would pickup signals from one remote and act on them in tandem that would actually be what's required for this use case

That's great!
Would you care to explain how would that work? Or share links?

Reading what I have I assumed connecting to an external clock to stay in sync with other devices / using internal clock for reclocking are mutually exclusive by definition. I'll be happy to correct my understanding.

I still stand by my suggestion for a multichannel consumer DAC offering. Look at that market... There's the U-DAC8 for a few hundred bucks and unknown qualities and then there's the exaSound e38 for almost ~$4K with substantially less features than the ADI-2 DAC - nothing in between.

I thought to ask about the ADI-2 DAC specifically since I know it's Pro sibling on the same platform is multi-channel capable, although not in a practical way for consumer use cases.

Thanks Ramses. The DAC manual's chapter about SteadyClock FS should be sufficient to explain this point.

Glad you could chip in!!!

Regarding stacking multiple units - while flexible it really doesn't do much to lowering the entry barrier (which was lowered years ago for Pro Audio interfaces). It will give piece of mind and features from a respected company such as RME.

But wouldn't you prefer a 6ch/8ch output version of the ADI-2 DAC?
From reading about the Pro model, the ADI-2 platform supports this configuration so I hope it is mostly adding the extra RCA analog outs (along with their analog stages).
Will definitely increase the cost but shouldn't double or triple it.

Might give the ADI-2 DAC that extra edge and publicity to really become a hit.

Sure but I am aware of the investment necessary for a niche product.

Personally my first and main use of multichannel is for subwoofer integration.

I also do room correction in software, which means the bass management (2.0ch --> 2.1ch) is software based as well, before the room correction, so that the RC software will see the subwoofer channel.

But I also enjoy the comfort and cost saving of having everything connected to the same system. Using my Hi-Fi stereo speakers as fronts for HT.

My uses for multichannel, ordered by priority:
1. Subwoofer integration with software room correction
2. HT (5.1 video)
3. 5.1 music

Another use for 5.1 is for active bi/tri-amplification with software DSP crossovers.

Basically the idea is the have the computer do all format decoding and DSP functions in software, as well as being the source.

As for 5.1 music... I really hope there would be more as it is always a treat.
Heard The Dark Side Of The Moon in 5.1?

Truly a trip.

Steven Wilson is also strong on that front, for example:
https://burningshed.com/store/porcupine … dent_dvd-a

ADI-2 already supports multichannel in the Pro as it seems.
I'm just saying that if the ADI-2 DAC had another RCA (for 2.1) or even more us CA guys (the primary consumer DAC users anyway) who also integrate subs or any other multich uses would dump our AVRs/PrePros and be all over it. Good exposure to the consumer market by tapping into this gap.

Downloads.  I have thousands.

Nice!!! Which genres?

Cool but........................
"Note: A DSD playback via USB is only supported on playback channels 1/2. A DSD64 playback
in mode Multichannel via USB 3/4 does not activate the DSD mode."

Well...........................I really do not know how many of my thousands of multichannel DSD albums are downloads vs. SACD rips. Quick check shows about 35,000 DSF multichannel tracks.

Hi

there is the UFX and UFX II for multichannel DAC applications (and ADC as well).
You can do:
-x-way digital crossover (max 6-way with one UFX), 12 channels
-Room EQ
-Use as 12 channel preamp (12x analog) plus digital inputs (2x8 ADAT)

So whats missing?
May be most top notch converters, same as ADI2 Pro? Although it has transparent converters as you can check yourself (UFX II has even better ones)
Costly look? No its not gold plated, nice black formntlpate etc.. For some people this may be important, but has its price.

You get pro-feature, no consumer equipment at whatever even highest prices can do.
Actually no urgent need for something like you asked.
And you get inputs for free You can use this feature for Room EQ, very useful. Mic input with phantom power! and premap inputs for Vinyl, Tape Recorder etc.

I have a setup using 4-way (8 channel crossover, surround (2 channels, or 4 channels with 2-way digital crossover), 2x Headphones (4 channel), another stereospeaker pair (2 channel) and DBA , double bass array (stereo, 2 channel).

I just got an UFX II to extend the channel-count via ADAT (more analog out, could also be done differently with RME products).

Big advantage over AVR Receiver (HDMI)
-the flexibility of routing
-Inputs (mic etc)
-UFX and UFX II can serve as premp and switching unit (for different setup comparisons of speakers and crossover, Vinyl input etc.)
-Much more channels
-Attractive price

-MQA: not needed as MQA is not lossless, hence lowers the quality
-DSD: not needed as DSD has lower quality than even 96k/24bit (DVD-A format9, althoug slightly better than CD (44.1k/16bit). DSD anyway has in the studioprocess been converted from PCM to DSD, so whats the point?

Peter

Another solution to drive 3 DAC's is with a Digiface USB (SPDIF) or an AES card (adapted to SPDIF). For example the Digiface USB is master and the DAC's are slave, and volume control can be done in TotalMix FX via Fadergroups and/or ARC USB. 5.1 (up to 7.1) can be configured in Windows or MAC OS. Also remote control with TotalMix remote is then possible.

Now, that's an intriguing idea.  Thanks.

I am not MC, but I think it will go like this ...

Regarding Clock Sync and setup:

• Digiface USB would be your main interface on the PC

• Configure Digiface USB as Clock master (RME driver settings dialog, set clock to "internal")

• Take 3 TOSLINK cables which might be 15m (eventually up to 20m long)

• Connect Digiface USB ADAT OUT 1-3 to the three ADI-2 DAC / Pro / Pro FS / AE to its optical SPDIF IN port, its capable of understanding ADAT as well, but you can also select optical SPDIF for all of the three ports of the Digiface USB

• Configure all connected ADI-2 * to receive clock via optical SPDIF IN

• The ADI-2 * will refresh the inbound clock signal and use the internal clock for best D/A conversion

• Select a suitable output level on all ADI-2 *

• The final volume control you can perform in TotalMix FX (create a fader group for all 3 ADAT outputs)

• Then it might be possible to control volume via ARC USB, which might be nicer for you

• Whether one Remote Control of the ADI-2 DAC would control all three or only one particular I can not tell

I see no reason why this shall not work on MAC, as with MACs you also have TotalMix FX to configure the routing,
same as in Windows.

Easy on a MAC because the OS permits virtual USB devices and, if you connect your three DACs via a USB hub, you can combine them into a 6 channel device.  Audio MIDI Setup lets you control channel distribution.  Of course, you must also set one DAC as Master Clock and link it to the clock inputs on the other two DACs.  I have done this with a set of Mytek DACs but I see no reason why one cannot do this with any DAC with clock in/outs.

I do not know the answer to that question.

Thanks everyone for the informative comments. I'm about to upgrade my stereo setup to a 4.0 and need a multichannel DAC. I will eventually add a center speaker and a sub so need something that can support 6 channels.
I've had the RME ADI-2 DAC now for about 3 months and really love it with my current setup (MacBook pro with JRiver streaming music over usb to the DAC, DAC directly driving a Benchmark AHB2 amp, and Buchardt S400 speakers). The auto ref and loudness features have become essential for me. I just noticed that the new firmware release also now has independent trim adjustments which will be helpful when tweaking a multichannel setup.
I'm considering buying an ADI-2 Pro FS to combine with the ADI-2 DAC to form a 6-channel DAC but I want to make sure I understood what was explained above. I'd need the setup to work with multichannel PCM as well as DSD files.

If I understand correctly to be able to play a multi-channel DSD or PCM file I would do the following:

1.Connect each DAC to a separate USB connection on my MacBook pro and use CoreAudio to form an aggregate device (with the ADI-2 Pro as master and the ADI-2 DAC as slave) and set the appropriate channel mapping.
2. I would then connect the 2 via SPDIF and make the settings adjustment indicated in the manual that would allow the Pro FS to sync the clock of the ADI-2 DAC.
3. Configure JRiver to use the aggregate device.
4. For DSD configure JRiver to use DoP. Then if i also need dsp processing like channel trims or distance corrections I'd have to do DSD to PCM conversion in JRiver, convert back to DSD and send DoP to the aggregate device.

Will the above work? Also I know I can do the channel trims in the RME DACs (with the latest firmware version) but can I also do distance correction using the DSP functionality of the DACs? This way I, along with the parametric eq functionality of the DACs dsp, I could do all the basic setup and room correction I need in the DACs allowing me to re-use this regardless of whether I'm using JRiver to feed the setup.