This is a review and detailed measurements of the Matrix Audio mini-i 4 streamer, balanced DAC and preamplifier. It was sent to me by Shenzehenaudio and costs US $649.
I am neutral on the look of the unit. The only button for power is on top. The front panel is touch sensitive in different areas. It is not discoverable as the up and down indicators for volume and input flanking the display go off after you use them. Likewise, to go into settings, you have to swipe left and right on the main display -- something I had to look up to find out. Fortunately touch sensitivity is very good and the processor behind it and the display is quite responsive. Older streamers from Matrix were not so situated.
Back panel shows clear differentiation:
Notice the inclusion of HDMI ARC and RCA for analog input. This completely eliminated the need for a pre-amp for just about audiophile.
I was sad to find out that the remote was optional and not included. I downloaded the Matrix control app. It however was not able to discover the unit by itself. I had to manually configure it using a QR code that it shows under the settings. Upon doing so, the app noted that there was an update. I told it to download and while it started, it just hung with its hour glass showing forever. So I resorted to using the front panel to do the upgrade. That went OK except for it getting stuck for a long time in one point, making me think it is hung. Fortunately I waited a while longer and it eventually finished.
Matrix mini-i 4 DAC Measurements
Let's start with USB input and XLR output with level adjusted one notch to get closer to nominal 4 volts:
Distortion is very low at less than 130 dB, landing the unit squarely in our "Excellent" category (red) and inline with other Matrix products (pink):
Performance naturally drops a bit with RCA:
I wanted to test the streaming functionality using Roon. Alas, Roon complained that the implementation was not certified and it would not let me use it.
I also don't have HDMI ARC test source so couldn't test that as well. Previous Matrix streamers have had similar performance with network vs USB so I am not too worried about that.
I expected noise to be the limiting factor for SINAD but for reasons I can't explain, that performance is much better:
Multitone test shows the very low distortion again:
Combination of noise and distortion in IMD is excellent:
Here is the reference 50 Hz distortion test for comparison to reviews elsewhere:
I did run into a bug with linearity test though:
When the test starts -120 dB, there is huge deviation which is likely due to the unit muting. I discovered a second bug when I ran the filter tests:
The unit ships with "Minimum Phase" as the default. That response was surprisingly slow (in red). But after I went through all the filters, it showed the more correct response (in dark blue #9). I have seen this once or twice in other DACs. It seems the DAC filter is not setup correctly. At any rate, I like fast linear filter better anyway so set it to that:
Using that filter, wideband THD+N vs frequency response is quite good:
While not an audible concern, I expect better from Matrix engineering than what I saw in the Jitter test:
These could be interference patterns from onboard streaming processor.
Matrix Mini-i 4 Analog Preamplifier Measurements
It is super useful to be able to route the output of a turntable or Reel to Reel deck through the streamer so let's see how that does with RCA in and out:
Distortion is kind high resulting in unexciting SINAD of 89 dB. This is inline with the last streamer I tested from Matrix although the approach is different due to use of an ADC (see below). Using XLR balanced out gives similar performance:
You do get nice format conversion though with output being a proper 4 volts now.
As noted, the implementation here is with digitization of input signal:
Fortunately sample rate is quite high so not a worry.
Noise performance is better than distortion:
At nearly 17 bits, it is certainly a lot cleaner than any analog source you through at it.
Finally, here is a comparison of IMD distortion relative to Matrix Element X2 streamer:
The X2 has lower noise but somewhat higher distortion.
Conclusions
The measured performance is in excellent category which is nice for a streamer at this price. Alas, there seems to be a few bugs that need to be resolved. On functionality front, the feature set is excellent with inclusion of HDMI ARC and analog input -- something I wished more DACs would support.
Prices for Matrix products have really climbed since their inception so it is very good to see products in this price range.
Personally I wouldn't buy the mini-i 4 due to lack of certified Roon support and bugs observed. Your situation may vary.
Digital Input
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As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/
I am neutral on the look of the unit. The only button for power is on top. The front panel is touch sensitive in different areas. It is not discoverable as the up and down indicators for volume and input flanking the display go off after you use them. Likewise, to go into settings, you have to swipe left and right on the main display -- something I had to look up to find out. Fortunately touch sensitivity is very good and the processor behind it and the display is quite responsive. Older streamers from Matrix were not so situated.
Back panel shows clear differentiation:
Notice the inclusion of HDMI ARC and RCA for analog input. This completely eliminated the need for a pre-amp for just about audiophile.
I was sad to find out that the remote was optional and not included. I downloaded the Matrix control app. It however was not able to discover the unit by itself. I had to manually configure it using a QR code that it shows under the settings. Upon doing so, the app noted that there was an update. I told it to download and while it started, it just hung with its hour glass showing forever. So I resorted to using the front panel to do the upgrade. That went OK except for it getting stuck for a long time in one point, making me think it is hung. Fortunately I waited a while longer and it eventually finished.
Matrix mini-i 4 DAC Measurements
Let's start with USB input and XLR output with level adjusted one notch to get closer to nominal 4 volts:
Distortion is very low at less than 130 dB, landing the unit squarely in our "Excellent" category (red) and inline with other Matrix products (pink):
Performance naturally drops a bit with RCA:
I wanted to test the streaming functionality using Roon. Alas, Roon complained that the implementation was not certified and it would not let me use it.
I also don't have HDMI ARC test source so couldn't test that as well. Previous Matrix streamers have had similar performance with network vs USB so I am not too worried about that.I expected noise to be the limiting factor for SINAD but for reasons I can't explain, that performance is much better:
Multitone test shows the very low distortion again:
Combination of noise and distortion in IMD is excellent:
Here is the reference 50 Hz distortion test for comparison to reviews elsewhere:
I did run into a bug with linearity test though:
When the test starts -120 dB, there is huge deviation which is likely due to the unit muting. I discovered a second bug when I ran the filter tests:
The unit ships with "Minimum Phase" as the default. That response was surprisingly slow (in red). But after I went through all the filters, it showed the more correct response (in dark blue #9). I have seen this once or twice in other DACs. It seems the DAC filter is not setup correctly. At any rate, I like fast linear filter better anyway so set it to that:
Using that filter, wideband THD+N vs frequency response is quite good:
While not an audible concern, I expect better from Matrix engineering than what I saw in the Jitter test:
These could be interference patterns from onboard streaming processor.
Matrix Mini-i 4 Analog Preamplifier Measurements
It is super useful to be able to route the output of a turntable or Reel to Reel deck through the streamer so let's see how that does with RCA in and out:
Distortion is kind high resulting in unexciting SINAD of 89 dB. This is inline with the last streamer I tested from Matrix although the approach is different due to use of an ADC (see below). Using XLR balanced out gives similar performance:
You do get nice format conversion though with output being a proper 4 volts now.
As noted, the implementation here is with digitization of input signal:
Fortunately sample rate is quite high so not a worry.
Noise performance is better than distortion:
At nearly 17 bits, it is certainly a lot cleaner than any analog source you through at it.
Finally, here is a comparison of IMD distortion relative to Matrix Element X2 streamer:
The X2 has lower noise but somewhat higher distortion.
Conclusions
The measured performance is in excellent category which is nice for a streamer at this price. Alas, there seems to be a few bugs that need to be resolved. On functionality front, the feature set is excellent with inclusion of HDMI ARC and analog input -- something I wished more DACs would support.
Prices for Matrix products have really climbed since their inception so it is very good to see products in this price range.
Personally I wouldn't buy the mini-i 4 due to lack of certified Roon support and bugs observed. Your situation may vary.
Manufacturer Specifications:
Hardware Platform
| CPU | Quad Cortex-A55 2.0GHz |
| D/A Chip | ES9039Q2M |
Digital Input
| COAXIAL & OPTICAL | PCM 16-24Bit /44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz DSD 2.8MHz (DoP) |
| HDMI ARC | PCM 16-24Bit /44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz |
| USB Audio | PCM 16-24Bit /44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz, 705.6kHz, 768kHz MQA 16-24Bit /44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz MQA or MQA Studio stream DSD 2.8MHz, 5.6MHz, 11.2MHz (DoP) DSD 2.8MHz, 5.6MHz, 11.2MHz, 22.4MHz (Native) |
Aux Input
| SNR | 100dB A-weighting |
| THD+N | <0.0035%@1k, <0.0035%@20Hz-20kHz |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz-20kHz ±0.1 -3dB@46kHz |
| Channel Crosstalk | >-105dB |
| Input Level | 2.1VRMS Maximum |
Line Output
| XLR | SNR: 127dB A-weighting THD+N:<0.00015%@1k, <0.00018%@20Hz-20kHz Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz ±0.1 -3dB@90kHz Channel Crosstalk: >-146dB Output Level: 4.4VRMS@0dB |
| RCA | SNR: 121dB A-weighting THD+N:<0.00015%@1k, <0.00030%@20Hz-20kHz Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz ±0.1 -3dB@90kHz Channel Crosstalk: >-133dB Output Level: 2.2VRMS@0dB |
Network
| LAN | 10/100/1000 Mbps |
USB Type C
| The USB Type C port provides a maximum power of 5V/1A. |
| The USB Type C port works with devices which conform to the USB mass storage standard and supports FAT, FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS file formats, but is not guaranteed to be compatible with all storage devices. |
MA player
| Controller app： | MA Remote App |
| Local Playback | |
| Format Supported： | MP3 , WMA , WAV , AIF, AIFC, AIFF, AAC, FLAC, OGG, APE, ALAC, M4A, DSF, DFF, CUE |
| PCM Sampling Rate: | PCM 16-24Bit 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz, 705.6kHz, 768kHz |
| MQA 16-24Bit /44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz MQA or MQA Studio stream | |
| DSD Sampling Rate: | 2.8MHz, 5.6MHz, 11.2MHz, 22.4MHz |
| AirPlay 2 | The audio specs depend on the service provider |
| DLNA/UPnP | The audio specs depend on the service provider |
| TIDAL Connect | The audio specs depend on the service provider |
| Spotify Connect | The audio specs depend on the service provider |
| vTuner | The audio specs depend on the service provider |
| Radio Paradise | The audio specs depend on the service provider |
| HIGHRESAUDIO | The audio specs depend on the service provider |
Power Specs
| Power Voltage | AC 100V-240V 50/60Hz |
| Standby Power Consumption | < 5W |
| Maximum Power Consumption | < 20W |
Weight & Size
| Weight | 1.3 kg (2.87 pounds) |
| Size | Width: 224 mm (8.80 inches) |
| Depth: 186 mm (7.32 inches) | |
| Height: 53 mm (2.07 inches) |
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As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/
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