HEDD - HEDDphone TWO and RME ADI 2 DAC

scan pro audio presents...The ADI-2 DAC is not just an extremely detailed converter and amp for HEDDphone Two, but also features Crossfeed and EQ built into the unit, to be able to fine tune the translation of headphone mixes, which should be set to ‘High Power’ mode for best operation.

The unit does have USB input, but also sp/dif (that is also ADAT compatible) , so you connect it to a digital out on your existing interface.

what's included? • 1x HEDD - HEDDphone TWO
• 1x RME Audio - ADI-2 DAC

hand-built in Berlin, Germany HEDDphone TWO has been crafted by Berlin based HEDD Audio, with a discerning eye on the needs of mastering engineers, mix engineers, and producers, but it will surely captivate hi-fi aficionados and also the broader spectrum of consumer headphone enthusiasts.

Powered by new advances in Air Motion Transformer (AMT) technology and user feedback from the original Headphone model, the new HEDDphone has undergone a turbo-charged evolution. With a folded Kapton diaphragm over three times larger than in traditional dynamic, planar, or electrostatic driver designs, the sound of HEDDphone TWO has reached new heights with regards to precisely tailoring subtle transients and creating a transparent, natural musicality. It produces a speaker-like, evenly balanced soundstage with stunning definition, permitting long listening periods with very little fatigue.

Several breakthroughs have been achieved in the three and a half year process of developing and designing HEDDphone TWO. By reconstructing the driver from scratch and using lightweight materials like carbon fibre and magnesium, the HEDD R&D team was able to achieve a staggering 25% weight reduction from the first model. An all new mechanical design was developed in order to make the product more compact and durable.

A patent is pending for the all new unique headband (HEDDband) that provides users with a true custom-comfort-fit experience. HEDD have invented a smart strap system, allowing parameters like height, width, curvature and even the clamping pressure to be tweaked to the individual head shape and taste.

To ensure highest flexibility straight out of the box, this includes a carrying case as well as additional balanced / unbalanced cables, making it easy to take HEDDphone TWO safely wherever you need to, or even on holiday (if you are like our Tom) . Heavy users will also appreciate the spare set of ear pads for prolonged usage.

The extensive material and reliability testing results in HEDD offering a rare and extended 5 years’ warranty for these headphones.

Tom Francis - Scan Pro Audio

what's in the box? • HEDDphone® TWO
• Travel case to fit HEDDphone® TWO and Accessories
• 1x additional set of spare ear pads
• 1x 2.2 m unbalanced cable with 6.35 mm termination
• 1x 2.2 m balanced cable with 4.4 mm termination
• 1x unbalanced adapter from 6.35 mm to 3.5 mm
• 1x balanced adapter from balanced 4.4 mm to XLR

Users often liken the experience of wearing the HEDDphone to receiving a "warm hug" for their ears. The headphones create a spacious soundstage, with powerful yet authentic low frequencies, wide dynamic range, and transients that genuinely capture the essence of the musical content – akin to being immersed in a studio rather than just having drivers next to one’s ears.

HEDD maintains and cherishes its deep and symbiotic relationship with its users, weaving their insights into the very fabric of the company's evolution. This not only helps us envision the use cases for our products, but it informs the development of our products. We permanently interact online and in person with our users to keep this dialog open. Through this effort, we took notice that many creators have become inseparably bonded with their headphones to the point where the headphones have become the main monitors during production and mixing.

One example of a professional user is Blue May, a renowned producer and mixer, who has recently relocated from London to Los Angeles. He had become accustomed to working in professional recording studios in the U.K. for the likes of Joy Crookes and Lilly Allen but now finds himself working in an improvised studio space at his residence in the States. This shift in work habits has pushed him to spend much of his time working with headphones, rather than studio monitors. He was initially attracted to the comfort and natural sound of the HEDDphone and he has grown to trust the sonic results that working on the headphone produces. He attests that his mixes, sculpted through the lens of HEDDphones, possess an elevated resonance. His mixes, as he puts it are “a little bit better than when I was mainly on speakers.”

Similarly, mix engineer David Yungin Kim hustles between studios, and often between the U.S. and Korea, while trying to efficiently mix records as part of superproducer Hit-Boy’s team. Kim’s work has led to platinum and Grammy-winning records by BTS, NAS, Nipsey Hustle, and Post Malone. He is often seen shrouded by a pair of HEDDphones while grooving to the beat of one of his mixes. Kim says of the HEDD monitors and HEDDphones, “When I’m mixing, I’m looking for a monitor with balanced low frequencies and I want the highs to be tamed a little bit. There are some speakers I’ve used in the past where I get ear fatigue and have to take a break, which isn’t efficient. I find with the HEDDs that I can listen to them for a long time. The low-end is nicely defined, the mids are accurate and my ears don’t get tired listening to them.”

HEDD crafts its flagship HEDDphone TWO headphones for audio professionals with a remarkable fusion of cutting-edge technology and meticulous craftsmanship. A result that also resonates with the discerning ears of audiophiles. This is the narrative of HEDD – an ever-evolving symphony of innovation delivering not just audio products, but transformative auditory journeys.

Ultra-Fidelity PCM/DSD 768kHz DA Converter The ADI-2 DAC from RME features an enhanced SteadyClock, finely-tuned analogue circuitry, a brand-new MRC remote control, ‘Extreme Power’ headphone out and an exceptional IEM output. Featuring all the hallmarks that made the ADI-2 Pro so widely acclaimed, including its wonderfully clear signature sound and full capability of DSP processing, with 5 band EQ, crossfeed and much more.

The ADI-2 DAC now features more streamlined, intuitive operation, aswell as a beautiful new aesthetic design, it truly is the perfect centrepiece for any audio lovers home.

A whole host of new and improved features The ADI-2 DAC is an evolution of the ADI-2 Pro, optimised for home and hi-fi use. With a host of new, exciting and innovative features and a number of handy functionalities, the ADI-2 DAC quickly became the reference. With thanks to its combination of pro-level DA conversion, with dual IEM outputs and remote control, it has been acclaimed worldwide with lauding reviews for its versatility, sound and technical efficiency.

Fast forward to now, the current version of the ADI-2 DAC ships with a newly designed remote control, enhanced DA conversion and an adapted analogue output stage for even greater noise and distortion values. To account for the ADI-2 DAC’s intended home use market, RME changed some of the Pro’s studio functionalities for one’s which would better suit home and hi-fi use. Featuring an adapted list of features and simplified overall operation, RME is proud to present the ADI-2 DAC. Built and designed on the lauded technology and concept of the ADI-2 Pro, the DAC now focuses on DA conversion in ultra-high quality, alongside exceptional dual headphone and IEM outs.

Nothing comes close Inside the compact 19” format factor, the ADI-DAC 2 is packed with only the highest quality electronic components, which acts as a reference class conversion from SPDIF coaxial, SPDIF optical (ADAT compatible) and USB to RCA, XLR, TRS and mini-TRS.

The ADI-2 DAC is the most versatile DAC on the market, it offers balanced/unbalanced analogue I/O’s, an ‘Extreme Power’ headphone output, an incredibly super low noise IEM out, SteadyClock FS, 4-stage hardware output level control, DSP based signal processing, external power supply operation, Class Compliant USB compatibility, sample rates up to 768 kHz as well as DSD and Direct DSD playback. Nothing else comes close.

Super low noise floor The dawn of the headphone revolution brought not only headphones, but IEM’s to the forefront for audiophiles and music aficionados alike. Today’s IEM’s have a reference that can compete with traditional over-ear headphones, which make them not just an alternative for when you’re on the go, but also for home use.

Modern day IEM’s are super sensitive and run on extremely low voltages. The downside to this is that they pickup the noise floor of the source. When RME was developing it’s ‘Extreme Power’ headphone stage, great care and attention was paid to ensure the noise floor was as low as possible. RME wanted to ensure that even the most sensitive IEM, coupled with the most sensitive listener’s ear could enjoy the whole dynamic range upon playback.

The solution? Adding the most advanced IEM output possible as second phones connection to the front panel of the ADI-2 DAC. The resulting playback must be heard to be believed.

impressive new tech The ADI-2 DAC marks a first for a product in RME’s range, as it is the first to feature SteadyClock FS. SteadyClock really couldn’t be improved upon much, it collected heaps of praise and accolades from years of sublime operation in a number of RME products, ensuring that using the internal clock will produce precisely the same sound as if an external one was to be used. SteadyClock expertly rejects jitter and handles all digital interface formats in a flawless manner. This is why SteadyClock’s design didn’t alter in the DAC.

SteadyClock FS focus was largely placed on reducing the self jitter of SteadyClock to new lows, by enhancing it’s second analogue PLL circuit, and referencing both Direct and Digital Synthesis and PLL to a low phase noise quartz crystal. The self jitter measured through DA conversion now reaches levels that are normally only available in master quartz clock mode, while SteadyClock still always runs in PLL mode – no matter if it's the internal or external clock, the sound is precisely the same.

The low phase noise oscillator which drives the updated circuit reaches jitter specs lower than a picosecond, something called, ‘Femtosecond’, hence the name ‘SteadyClock FS’.

Top of the class RME Audio's ADI-2 DAC is packed with more features and cool functionalities than anything else in it's peer group. Check out some of them below.