Info. on new Matrix Audio mini-i

[Jimbob54]

Yeah- the element i is a nicer looking bit of kit for the money they ask. Not sure why 2 similar functioning items at same price

 

[somy]

@MatrixAudio the product looks interesting and I have a few questions:
1) Is it only in colour black/dark grey? I like the silver mini-i pro 2s, will you also produce in silver (not sure why dark grey as it won't be a good fit to traditional hifi rack)?
2) Like what has been asked, can it fully decode/render MQA stream from Tidal?
3) What kind of CPU is it? It mentions single core so only 25% performance of Element M?
4) The spec says "MA Player Lite" instead of "MA Player" as Element M. What are the differences in the "lite" version?

Thanks in advance

 

[Patrick1958]

What's the price?

If I hit "Buy Now" nothing loads.

MATRIX MINI-I 3
MATRIX MINI-I 3 Pro

 

[watchnerd]

MATRIX MINI-I 3
MATRIX MINI-I 3 Pro

At those price points, I would want to be more impressed than I am.

 

[MatrixAudio]

Hi @MatrixAudio


Can Mini-i Pro fully render/decode MQA via ETHERNET and NOT using Roon?

Yes.

 

[MatrixAudio]

@MatrixAudio the product looks interesting and I have a few questions:

1) Is it only in colour black/dark grey? I like the silver mini-i pro 2s, will you also produce in silver (not sure why dark grey as it won't be a good fit to traditional hifi rack)?
No, only black/dark grey.
2) Like what has been asked, can it fully decode/render MQA stream from Tidal?
Mini-i Pro 3, Yes.
3) What kind of CPU is it? It mentions single core so only 25% performance of Element M?
As we listed in the specs, it uses NXP iMX6 sigle core CPU for the new mini-i series, and the CPU of element M is iMX6 quad-core.
4) The spec says "MA Player Lite" instead of "MA Player" as Element M. What are the differences in the "lite" version?
The MA player Lite cannot manage music in local storage devices, including USB storage, NAS, SD cards. So the mini-i 3 is no need a companion app.

 

[somy]

The MA player Lite cannot manage music in local storage devices, including USB storage, NAS, SD cards. So the mini-i 3 is no need a companion app.

Thank you for your reply! If there is no companion app how to control playback for Tidal?

 

[MatrixAudio]

Thank you for your reply! If there is no companion app how to control playback for Tidal?

Install Tidal app.

 

[somy]

core

Install Tidal app.

Ok, now I'm confused. How does Tidal app play on your device? Via airplay? If so how can it support MQA?

 

[Grandzoltar]

If you want your bit perfect music from tidal, you should be using roon with the matrix audio device.

 

[somy]

If you want your bit perfect music from tidal, you should be using roon with the matrix audio device.

Ok that’s different from Element which supports direct stream from tidal. Roon is too expensive for my need ;-)

 

[MJG]

Is it still on track to be released on the 1st?

 

[MatrixAudio]

If you want your bit perfect music from tidal, you should be using roon with the matrix audio device.

Correct.

Ok, now I'm confused. How does Tidal app play on your device? Via airplay? If so how can it support MQA?

That's the difference between mini-i 3 and element series.

 

[somy]

Correct.

That's the difference between mini-i 3 and element series.

Thanks! A very good choice for Roon users.

 

[Qba_76]

Hi,
@MatrixAudio I already pre-ordered the Pro version, but now I'm a bit confused about the MQA decoding...
I would like to connect the LAN cable and get full MQA decoding from Tidal Masters - without using a USB port or Roon.
And your answer below confirms this functionality:

Hi @MatrixAudio


Somehow still don't know the answer to my question, which is: Can Mini-i Pro fully render/decode MQA via ETHERNET and NOT using Roon?

Yes.

But the information below confuses me. So I can get a full MQA decoding, but it won't be bit perfect without Roon? What is the difference between full MQA and full MQA bit perfect?

If you want your bit perfect music from tidal, you should be using roon with the matrix audio device.

Correct.

 

[MatrixAudio]

Hi,
@MatrixAudio I already pre-ordered the Pro version, but now I'm a bit confused about the MQA decoding...
I would like to connect the LAN cable and get full MQA decoding from Tidal Masters - without using a USB port or Roon.
And your answer below confirms this functionality:



But the information below confuses me. So I can get a full MQA decoding, but it won't be bit perfect without Roon? What is the difference between full MQA and full MQA bit perfect?

Sorry I'm afraid I did not noticed "NOT using Roon".
MQA full decoder only works under USB connection or via Roon.

 

[Jeriko]

@MatrixAudio
Is the mini-I 3 available by any German reseller (or general in Germany)
Thanks

 

[sonusfaberx]

Does this have capability to render MQA via optical?

 

[MatrixAudio]

Does this have capability to render MQA via optical?

No, only via USB port.

 

[GDK]

Although it is being advertised as Roon Ready, it doesn’t appear on Roon‘s website as being certified. Given they shut down all non-certified devices yesterday, does anyone know what the situation is?