User's Manual
User’s Guide ADI-2 DAC v2.2 © RME
31
The Bit column shows the amount of bits found in the SPDIF audio signal. Note that a 24 bit 
signal that is shown as 16 bit is indeed 16 bit, but a signal shown as 24 bit might contain only 16 
bit real audio plus 8 bits of noise… 
But SPDIF can also transport AC-3 and DTS encoded surround sound. This signal sounds like 
chopped noise at full volume. Therefore the ADI-2 DAC receiver circuit checks the Non-Audio 
flag within the Channel Status. If found the signal is already muted directly in the receiver. An 
error message is shown in red colour in the lowest line, saying SPDIF NON-AUDIO, explaining 
why there is no sound at the analog outputs despite a valid input signal. 
Finally also Emphasis, a special treble boosting equalization method from the early days of 
digital audio, is detected and shown as SPDIF WARNING EMPHASIS. See chapter 31.2. 
16. Warning Messages 
The ADI-2 DAC will show different warning messages and provide guidance in certain cases. 
Hi-Power Mode Active (Phones) 
When Hi-Power mode is active with the Volume set higher 
than -15 dB and a phone is plugged in, this message 
reminds the user to check the current volume setting, and to 
make sure the used headphone will stand the high output 
power without getting destroyed. The audio signal is held at 
a low volume until the gain is set to -15 dB or below. The 
Volume knob is active on the current phones output and can 
be used to turn down the volume. Once -15 dB is reached 
the volume is ramped up to the current gain. 
Pressing encoder 1 removes the message immediately, with volume ramped up within 2 sec-
onds to the set value. 
The message will also vanish when the phone is unplugged again. 
This message is not shown when Volume is set to -15 dB or lower, or when the device is 
switched on while the phones are already connected. 
Overload / Short detected (Phones) 
An internal overload can be caused by too high output levels 
and too low load impedance. A short circuit in the TRS plug 
will also trigger the overload detection. In such a case the 
relay will permanently disconnect the phone from the Extreme 
Power output stage. If the phones plug is removed and 
plugged in again after one second, the unit will activate the 
phones output again. 
This scheme has been introduced to force the user to check 
cabling and connection. For example, a TRS plug not fully 
inserted might stay unnoticed but can cause a short circuit. 










