Matrix Audio - DACs and headphone amplifiers

De Element-X is a top headphone amplifier, streamer, pre amplifier and DAC in one.

You can play your favorite music from an USB drive or SD card, NAS device or streaming service, like Tidal.

The Element-X can be controlled with the remote controller or Android/IOS App, which is especially developed for the Element series. This app also offer Tidal and Qobuz integration.

You can also control different functions from the front of the device or with your favorite UPNP control point app for Android and IOS.

Listening to network streaming media has become a normal part of life today. The element series also enables you to play music from your smartphone or other mobile devices via AirPlay & DLNA for convenient wireless streaming.

The Element-X is the flagship of the Element series and uses the ESS Sabre ES9038PRO DAC chip. Together with the ultra-low noise LDO ES9311 and Crystek CCHD-950 femto clock a top notch DAC section is born. The USB input is equipped with the latest XU216 XMOS processor to be able to support the highest bitrates and MQA.

The Element-X can be used as a pre amplifier and headphone amplifier. As volume control the traditional potentiometer or digital volume build into the DAC chip were not chosen. A new hybrid digital volume control has been developed, combining an array of relays along with the built in DAC chips internal digital volume unit. This enables to combine the audio quality advantages of an analog volume control along with the precision of a digital volume control.

The headphone amplifiers is balanced and is equipped with 3 outputs, one balanced output (4 pins) and two unbalanced outputs that can drive two single-ended pairs of headphones each having its own independent stereo amplifier. In balanced mode those two outputs can also drive one balanced headphones.

Next to that only top class components are used in all sections, from power supply to outputs, all in a beautiful case.

Some features:

• MQA full decoder, supports to 24bit/384kHz MQA audio via USB port.
• Roon Ready certified.
• Next to USB, COAX, Glass Fibre inputs,  there is also an I2S (HDMI format) digital input present.
• Unlike other DACS, the Element-X can handle DSD via all inputs, and not just via the usual USB input.
• Can handle up to DSD1024 and PCM 768kHz/32bit.
• Crystek CCHD-950 femto reference clock for the ES9038Pro.
• ES9311Q ultra low noise LDO (voltage regulators), with separated supplies for the left and right channels of the ES9038Pro DAC chip.
• 7 different PCM filters for fine tuning the sound.
• No pre amplifier needed. Output signal can be amplified with +10dB of analog gain, for example to drive active speakers.
• Clear display with information about input used, audio bitrate, volume, etc.Duidelijk scherm met informatie over ingang, audioformaat, volume etc.
• Can be controlled with controls on the front, remote controller and app.
• High quality components, like: Noratel transformer and Neutrik connectors.
• Click here for a review of this model.

Specifications:

• Size: 340mm(W) x281mm(D) x60mm(H)
• LAN: 10/100Mbit/sec.
• WLAN: 2.4GHz/5GHz, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
• Weight: 4.2 kg
• Color: Silver

The Element-P is a streamer, DAC and amplifier all-in-one.

You can play your favorite music from an USB drive or SD card, NAS device or streaming service, like Tidal.

The Element-P can be controlled with the remote controller or Android/IOS App, which is especially developed for the Element series. This app also offer Tidal and Qobuz integration.

You can also control different functions from the front of the device or with your favorite UPNP control point app for Android and IOS.

Listening to network streaming media has become a normal part of life today. The element series also enables you to play music from your smartphone or other mobile devices via AirPlay & DLNA for convenient wireless streaming.

The Element-P is an high class all-in-one solution. The DAC section is based on the ESS Sabre ES9028PRO DAC chip. Together with the Crystek CCHD-950 femto clock a world class DAC section is born. The USB input is equipped with the latest XU216 XMOS processor to be able to support the highest bitrates and MQA.

As volume control the traditional potentiometer or digital volume build into the DAC chip were not chosen for the analog section of the Element-P.  A special high quality volume control is implemented based on the MUSES72320. A volume control that also can be found in some high end pre amplifiers (like Pass Labs).

The power amplifier is based on the ICEpower 250ASX2 module. This enables the Element-P to deliver 230 Watt per channel at 4 Ohm. This is more than enough to handle all kinds of loudspeakers with easy.

Next to that only top class components are used in all sections, from power supply to outputs, all in a beautiful case.

Some features:

• MQA full decoder, supports to 24bit/384kHz MQA audio via USB port.
• Roon Ready certified.
• Next to USB, COAX, Glass Fibre, there is also an I2S (HDMI format) digital input present.
• Unlike other DACS, the Element-M can handle DSD via all inputs, and not just via the usual USB input.
• Can handle up to DSD512 and PCM 768kHz/32bit.
• Crystek CCHD-950 femto reference clock for the ES9028Pro DAC chip.
• Powerful lineare power supply with Noratel toroidal transformer and Nichicon capacitors.
• 7 different PCM filters for fine tuning the sound.
• Clear display with information about input used, audio bitrate, volume, etc.
• Can be controlled with controls on the front, remote controller and app.
• High quality components, like: Noratel transformer and Neutrik connectors.

Specifications:

• Size: 340mm(W) x281mm(D) x60mm(H)
• LAN: 10/100Mbit/sec.
• WLAN: 2.4GHz/5GHz, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
• Weight: 4.7 kg
• Color: Silver

The Element-M is a streamer, DAC and amplifier all-in-one.

You can play your favorite music from an USB drive or SD card, NAS device or streaming service.

The Element-M cab be controlled with the remote controller or Android/IOS App, which is especially developed for the Element series. This app also offer Tidal and Qobuz integration.

You can also control different functions from the front of the device or with your favorite UPNP control point app for Android and IOS.

Listening to network streaming media has become a normal part of life today. The Element series also enables you to play music from your smartphone or other mobile devices via AirPlay & DLNA for convenient wireless streaming.

The Element-M is an high class all-in-one solution. The DAC section is based on the ESS Sabre ES9028PRO DAC chip. Together with the SiTime low phase noise clock a world class DAC section is born. The USB input is equipped with the latest XU216 XMOS processor to be able to support the highest bitrates and MQA.

The low impedance headphones amplifier is build with discrete components and newly developed. It gives you an intriguing and mellow sound performance

Next to that only top class components are used in all sections, from power supply to outputs, all in a beautiful case.

Some features:

• MQA full decoder, supports to 24bit/384kHz MQA audio via USB port.
• Roon Ready certified.
• Next to USB, COAX, Glass Fibre, there is also an I2S (HDMI format) digital input present.
• Unlike other DACS, the Element-M can handle DSD via all inputs, and not just via the usual USB input.
• Can handle up to DSD512 and PCM 768kHz/32bit.

• SiTime SiT8103 Low Phase Noise Clock for the ES9028Pro DAC chip.

• Powerful lineare power supply with toroidal transformer.
• 7 different PCM filters for fine tuning the sound.
• Clear display with information about input used, audio bitrate, volume, etc.
• Can be controlled with controls on the front, remote controller and app.

Specifications:

• Size: 275mm(W) x281mm(D) x60mm(H)
• LAN: 10/100Mbit/sec.
• WLAN: 2.4GHz/5GHz, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
• Weight: 3.7 kg
• Color: Silver

The Element-I is a streamer, DAC and amplifier all-in-one.

You can play your favorite music from an USB drive, NAS device or streaming service.

The Element-I cab be controlled with the remote controller or Android/IOS App, which is especially developed for the Element series. This app also offer Tidal and Qobuz integration.

You can also control different functions from the front of the device or with your favorite UPNP control point app for Android and IOS.

Listening to network streaming media has become a normal part of life today. The Element series also enables you to play music from your smartphone or other mobile devices via AirPlay & DLNA for convenient wireless streaming.

The Element-I is an high class all-in-one solution. The DAC section is based on the ESS Sabre ES9028PRO DAC chip. Together with the SiTime low phase noise clock a world class DAC section is born. The USB input is equipped with the XU208 XMOS processor to be able to support the highest bitrates.

The low impedance headphones amplifier is build with discrete components and newly developed. It gives you an intriguing and mellow sound performance

Next to that only top class components are used in all sections, from power supply to outputs, all in a beautiful case.

Some features:

• Roon Ready certified.
• Next to USB, COAX, Glass Fibre, there is also an I2S (HDMI format) digital input present.
• Unlike other DACS, the Element-I can handle DSD via all inputs, and not just via the usual USB input.
• Can handle up to DSD512 and PCM 768kHz/32bit.

• SiTime SiT8103 Low Phase Noise Clock for the ES9028Pro DAC chip.

• 7 different PCM filters for fine tuning the sound.
• Clear display with information about input used, audio bitrate, volume, etc.
• Can be controlled with controls on the front, remote controller and app.

Specifications:

• Size: 240mm(W) x220mm(D) x55mm(H)
• LAN: 10/100Mbit/sec.
• WLAN: 2.4GHz/5GHz, 802.11 a/b/g/n
• Weight: 1.5 kg
• Color: Black

This is the new flagship model of Matrix Audio, including MQA support AND network streaming.
It is an upgrade of the very good X-SABER Pro DAC. The latest generation of top DAC chip has been used, namely the ESS Saber 9038PRO. Compared to the previous generation, the 9018S, this new DAC chip has improved internal DSPs and offers even better performance and more possibilities. Together with excellent audio components and the massive CNC milled housing, this results in a top class Digital Analog Converter.

This DAC sounds detailed, powerful and spacious but also neutral, melodic and friendly. This is something that is not always expected from DACs with ESS Saber chipsets. But the sound of a DAC is obviously not only determined by the DAC chip.
A reviewer of this DAC knows how to summarize correctly: "If you want a modern DAC that is easy to use and that can decode any audio file, the Matrix X-Saber Pro from now on will be my first recommendation." (soundnews.ro)

The X-Saber 3 DAC is a MQA full decoder DAC that can completely decode the original MQA signal without being dependent on audio players. MQA encoded audio files can even sound better than good high resolution audio files / streams and are increasingly available, via Tidal and others.

 

Some features:

• Beautiful case with top made from tempered glass.
• MQA full decoder, supports up to 24bit/384kHz MQA audio via USB port.
• Supports Airplay 2, UPNP, Tidal Connect and Spotify Connect.
• Roon Ready
• Network connection possible via Gigabit Ethernet or 2.4GHz and 5Ghz dual band WIFI.
• Next to USB, COAX, Glass Fibre,  AES/EBU there is also an I2S (HDMI format) digital input.
• Unlike other DACs, the X-SABRE Pro can decode DSD via all inputs, and not just the usual USB input.
• Can playback up to DSD1024 and PCM 768kHz/32bit.
• Selectable Synchonous of Asynchronous Clock Mode.
• Crystek CCHD-950 ultra-low phase noise oscillators, for 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz (and multiples thereof) and as reference clock for the ES9038Pro.
• Different PCM filters for finetuning the sound.
• No pre-amplifier required, for example for directly feeding a power amplifier or active speakers.
• Round color display with information about the input, audio format and volume etc.
• Can be controlled via the front and with remote.
• Very high quality components used and fulle isolated power, digital and analog sections.

Specifications:

• Size: 310mm(W) x218mm(D) x43mm(H)
• Weight: 3.4 kg
• Colors: Black and Silver

This is the fourth generation of the mini-i series from Matrix Audio. The mini-i 3 and mini-i Pro 3 series have a two-colored aluminum housing (gray and black), with a 3.3 inch LCD screen and new user interface. This shows the input channels, streaming methods and configuration of the device such as the filter curves.

The Mini-i 3 series audio DACs are ROON Ready (endpoint) and can therefore play bit-perfect streaming music via the LAN port. Or you can play music via your IPhone, IPad or MAC computer with Airplay2 or Bleutooth (V5) through other devices.

The mini-i 3 series can be operated by means of a supplied remote control and the rotary knob on the front.

The DAC section is based on the ESS Saber ES9038Q2M DAC chip. Together with the Crystek CCHD-950 femto clock (in MINI-I PRO 3) this makes for an excellent DAC section. The USB (type C) input supports the highest bitrates and MQA (MQA only on MINI-PRO 3).

The balanced headphone amplifier consists of almost perfectly symmetrical amplifier circuits for the left and right channels. They provide ample output power with low distortion and low noise.

Some features:

• MQA full decoder, supports up to 24bit/384kHz MQA audio via USB port (MINI-I PRO 3).
• Roon Ready.
• Next to USB (type C), COAX, Glass Fibre,  there is also an I2S (HDMI formaat) digital input present.
• 1 analog stereo rca input
• Balanced headphones output.
• Supports up to DSD512 en PCM 768kHz/32bit.
• Crystek CCHD-950 femto clock (in MINI-I PRO 3).
• Powerful linear power supply with toroidal transformer.
• 5 different PCM filters for fine tuning the sound.
• Airplay2 and Bluetooth v5 (aptX HD).
• Clear display with information about input, audio format, volume, etc.
• Can be controlled via rotary knob on the front and remote control.

Specifications:

• Size: 223mm(W) x205mm(D) x48mm(H)
• LAN: 10/100Mbit/sec.
• WLAN: 2.4GHz/5GHz, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (MINI-I PRO 3)
• Weight: 1,7 kg
• Color: Grey/Black

The X-SPDIF 2 is a newly designed high quality asynchronous USB signal converter. The input USB signal is converted to an AES, coaxial, optical or even I2S (or IIS) output. If your DAC does not have a good USB input or no USB input at all, you can convert the signal to a jitter free and stable signal via one of the four outputs.

Some features:

• USB input
• COAX, Optical, AES/EBU and I2S digital outputs.
• Can decode up to DSD512 and PCM 768kHz/32bit.
• XMOS XU208 USB Audio chip (Asynchronous).
• XILINX Spartan FPGA supports XMOS with jitter reduction and DSD DoP conversion.
• ACCUSILICON femto clocks for 44.1kHz en 48kHz (and multiples thereof) signals.
• External power supply, can optionally be replaced for high end power supply.
• USB bus power is disconnected when external power supply is connected for even better performance.
• CNC machined Aluminum chassis for best electromagnetic shielding performance and to minimize the impact of mechanical vibration.

Specifications:

• Size: 142mm(B) x133mm(D) x38mm(H)
• Weight: 1.1 kg

The Element H USB card is developed to increase the USB audio quality of your computer to the maximum level. The PCIe card is an improved version of the, now discontinued, X-Hi card.  It is a plug-in card for the motherboard of your computer. It improves the USB data transport and reduces noise. This makes your computer sound much better as an audio source. A very precise femto clock (Crystek CCHD-575) and a USB 3.0 bridge chip from Texas Instruments provide an independent stable USB audio stream with very low jitter values. The USB ports of your computer are avoided and the sensitive audio stream does not have to share data channels with other USB devices.

The Element H card has excellent filters to eliminate the high frequency noise coming from the computer components. However its performance and the quality of the USB audio stream can be further improved by feeding the Element H USB card with an high quality external power supply (9 to 12 Volts).

Some features:

• High quality USB 3.0 output
• PCIe x1 Gen2
• USB power supply to DAC can be switched off
• CNC machined Aluminum chassis

Specifications

• Size: 114mm x 64mm x 23 mm