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How do I connect the device to my other devices that have only RCA?
By a simple adapter mono 6.35 mm to RCA (also called Phono and
Cinch). The adapters are plugged into the rear inputs and outputs - done.
Now the existing RCA cables can be used with the ADI-2/4 Pro SE. The
adapters can stay plugged in all time.
Cables with mono 6.35 mm on one side and RCA on the other also exist, and work perfectly. The
plug-in adapter solution has the advantage that the user can use his preferred RCA cables.
Will this cause a deterioration in sound?
No, for two reasons. The input of the ADI-2/4 Pro SE has an impedance of 45 kOhm, which is
high enough to not overstrain even older Hi-Fi units with higher impedance outputs (up to 10
kOhm). That is even more true with newer units having outputs significantly below 10 kOhm.
Additionally the input of the ADI-2/4 Pro SE has been designed to have the exact same technical
specifications, no matter if a balanced (XLR) or unbalanced (mono 6.35 mm) signal is applied.
RME's servo-balanced input also provides an automatic level correction - so that even the refer-
ence levels are identical.
With the outputs such an adapter causes no change at all - technical specifications and operation
stay unchanged. The outputs of the ADI-2/4 Pro SE serve RCA inputs without any problem.
Do the advantages of the ADI-2/4 Pro SE's fully symmetrical design still exist when using
unbalanced connections (RCA)?
Yes. Because the unbalanced input signal is internally converted to balanced directly after the
first input stage. On the output side RME uses a specially developed servo-balanced DAC filter,
which provides both paths of the balanced design to have full noise and distortion ratios. There-
fore the technical specifications are reached even if the balanced XLR output is used unbalanced,
disconnecting one pin - the required signal optimization is already done in the unit. At the typical
RCA output, the TRS socket with plugged in adapter, an additional conversion balanced to un-
balanced is performed directly at the output. These efforts guarantee the supreme sound quality
of the ADI-2/4 Pro SE to be available in all operation and connection scenarios.
Which level setting is recommended?
As professional device the ADI-2/4 Pro SE offers input and output levels up to +24 dBu (12.24 V
RMS), which overwhelm standard Hi-Fi equipment. But that's no problem as a total of five refer-
ence levels are available. With Hi-Fi the setting +7 dBu (equals +4.78 dBV or 1.73 V RMS) is
recommended. This setting causes an ADI-2/4 Pro SE output level similar to that of many CD-
players (unbalanced, using a TS to RCA adapter). In case it is still too low simply change to +13
dBu (+10.8 dBV, 3.46 V RMS), and in case it is too high simply use +1 dBu (-1,22 dBV, 0,87 V
RMS). In turntable mode (RIAA) +1 dBu is automatically set as input reference level.
If the input level is still too low at a setting of +1 dBu, because the feeding unit's output level is
insufficient, I/O - Analog Input - Trim Gain will help to achieve an up to 6 dB higher level.
Where do I connect the ground cable of the turntable?
Simply clamp it under the screw connection of the D-sub adapter (digital breakout cable).
User's Guide ADI-2/4 Pro SE – v 1.0
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