Matrix Audio mini-i 4 Streamer Review

[Chrisnew]

Hello, sorry for the delayed response. Your answer somewhat helps but not entirely.

I was not familiar with UPnP so I had to look into it, I’m unsure how this would be different than if I were to stream off my NAS through its app. For some reason I’ve had problems streaming (either from the NAS or to Chromecast) and I believe it has to do with my building as all my hardware is fairly new. Even my phone reception is poor to non-existent depending on where I stand in my unit though the provider says there is a tower very close to me. As convenient as sending music wirelessly would be, I don’t have great confidence that it would work well where I live.

On top of that - and more importantly - my desire to run a hard drive off the back of the Matrix unit is for redundancy purposes. I have confidence in my NAS but want the added protection of files on an additional piece of hardware.

The matrix will allow you to plug in USB storage for music playback.

I'm more curious to your wireless streaming issue. How old is your NAS or your router?

You should be using WiFi within the house so your phone signal shouldn't matter.

I recently replaced my router that's coming to 7 years with a new one, along with new Ethernet cables all round. It definitely made a difference for my boy when he's playing games and chatting at the same time!

 

[ABE43]

The matrix will allow you to plug in USB storage for music playback.

I'm more curious to your wireless streaming issue. How old is your NAS or your router?

You should be using WiFi within the house so your phone signal shouldn't matter.

I recently replaced my router that's coming to 7 years with a new one, along with new Ethernet cables all round. It definitely made a difference for my boy when he's playing games and chatting at the same time!

Yes, I understand the Matrix allows me to use USB storage, this is one of the main features that makes it attractive. The hardware checks all the boxes for me, it’s the software side that makes me hesitant to purchase this.

I also understand wifi is not related to the phone signal. My mention of the phone reception problem was only to show I suspect it’s not a NAS or router issue but that signals of any kind don’t travel well in my building.

My NAS was released in 2020, my router is only a couple years older than that. You bring up a good point about the router, it could be a little old as mine is only slightly newer than what you replaced. I’m glad your son’s games are running more smoothly now!

 

[Tedaz]

For those of you with the mini i-4/i-4 Pro, how functional is it using the remote and/or unit without the app? One of my chief concerns is if something with Matrix goes sideways and the app no longer works then it looks like the device could be quite cumbersome to use. I don’t need streaming so that isn’t a worry but navigating a large SSD-based music library without the app seems like it could be a chore or maybe even not possible. Any additional UI/UX thoughts would be appreciated be they for the unit, app or remote. I’m trying to get out of one product with a clunky interface and don’t want to dive into one with another.

On a side note, does anyone have any compatibility knowledge regarding SSDs? I have a couple Sandisk and Samsung 1 and 2 TB SSDs on hand.

Thank you.

The term "planned obsolescence" refers to the practice of designing products with a limited lifespan, ensuring they become obsolete or non-functional after a certain period. Similarly, without internet access or a mobile phone, all Matrix Audio devices would effectively become unusable, like a brick.

By the way, Matrix Audio devices can only flash/upgrade/downgrade firmware via internet, there is no offline method to flash the firmware. The process controlled via the MA central server.

 

[Chrisnew]

The term "planned obsolescence" refers to the practice of designing products with a limited lifespan, ensuring they become obsolete or non-functional after a certain period. Similarly, without internet access or a mobile phone, all Matrix Audio devices would effectively become unusable, like a brick.

By the way, Matrix Audio devices can only flash/upgrade/downgrade firmware via internet, there is no offline method to flash the firmware. The process controlled via the MA central server.

Granted, in today's context, not many design their products to last decades in the past.

I do disagree with your comment of like a brick. I use my matrix for HDMI. Without internet access, it will continue to work fine via xlr output to my amp.

Do also consider the primary purpose of the product. It was a streamer by design with additional features. How do you expect a streamer to work without internet access in today's context?

The continuity of updates can be questioned but isn't it the same for all companies? Most stop updates once a reasonable steady state is reached, usually within 2 years of the product being released.

Let's keep the comments constructive. I'm a matrix mini I 4 owner. It's not perfect, but it was the best option I could find at the point of time. Are you a matrix I 4 owner as well?

 

[Tedaz]

Granted, in today's context, not many design their products to last decades in the past.

I do disagree with your comment of like a brick. I use my matrix for HDMI. Without internet access, it will continue to work fine via xlr output to my amp.

Do also consider the primary purpose of the product. It was a streamer by design with additional features. How do you expect a streamer to work without internet access in today's context?

The continuity of updates can be questioned but isn't it the same for all companies? Most stop updates once a reasonable steady state is reached, usually within 2 years of the product being released.

Let's keep the comments constructive. I'm a matrix mini I 4 owner. It's not perfect, but it was the best option I could find at the point of time. Are you a matrix I 4 owner as well?

I'm a mini-i 4 Pro user too, I like it and still using it, but I just would like to indicate the points which can be improved by the producer.
Matrix Audio promotes it is not 'same' for all other companies, at least not the same for other China companies' products, thus it should be better than others.
I'm looking for a product, which can set up, and play back local network NAS flac music, upgrade/downgrade/flash firmware, and all other non-Internet radio functions, WITHOUT Matrix Audio's central server.

Rather than the current Matrix Audio products, just bind all functions to the Matrix Audio central server.
The key point is 'Matrix Audio's central server', not the internet.

 

[Chrisnew]

I'm a mini-i 4 Pro user too, I like it and still using it, but I just would like to indicate the points which can be improved by the producer.
Matrix Audio promotes it is not 'same' for all other companies, at least not the same for other China companies' products, thus it should be better than others.
I'm looking for a product, which can set up, and play back local network NAS flac music, upgrade/downgrade/flash firmware, and all other non-Internet radio functions, WITHOUT Matrix Audio's central server.

Rather than the current Matrix Audio products, just bind all functions to the Matrix Audio central server.
The key point is 'Matrix Audio's central server', not the internet.

I could be wrong but it seems like the only gap is around firmware tag to matrix central server. The rest works fine without.

I doubt matrix will change the way they operate. Having a central server push updates is the norm today.

 

[alemaosgp]

I saw many posts here saying the mini i4 pro is not roon certified, but if I go to Roon's website is mentioned it is roon tested and roon ready. And it seems it is coming with a remote control also. Can someone confirm it is correct?

 

[Chrisnew]

I saw many posts here saying the mini i4 pro is not roon certified, but if I go to Roon's website is mentioned it is roon tested and roon ready. And it seems it is coming with a remote control also. Can someone confirm it is correct?

Pro is roon ready. It was done after the product want on sale. My pro also came with a physical remote