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

 

[welder911]

Hello,Mini i pro 4, APPLE Is it the weight of lossless audio? At least as far as AIRPLAY, V1 16/44 is portable but here pro 4 APPLE AIRPLAY V2. @MatrixAudio

 

[welder911]

Hi @amirm
The dev team have addressed the issue of PCM filter, is this device still on your hand? Possible to let me know the serial number of the device? We can enable a beta firmware for the device so that you can verify if the issue has been fixed.

If the issue has been fixed, we will apply the fixes to the future firmware update which are available for all the users.

@amirm @MatrixAudio
Hello,
Has there been any development regarding this issue?

 

[MatrixAudio]

Hello,Mini i pro 4, APPLE Is it the weight of lossless audio? At least as far as AIRPLAY, V1 16/44 is portable but here pro 4 APPLE AIRPLAY V2. @MatrixAudio

Hi friend. AirPlay 2 is not lossless.

 

[ohmywatt]

@MatrixAudio Can the XLR and RCA outputs be used simultaneously? As an example, my powered sub uses RCA cables. Is it possible to connect my sub to the RCA outputs while I'm using the XLR outputs to feed two mono-blocks which drive my left and right speakers?

 

[MatrixAudio]

@MatrixAudio Can the XLR and RCA outputs be used simultaneously? As an example, my powered sub uses RCA cables. Is it possible to connect my sub to the RCA outputs while I'm using the XLR outputs to feed two mono-blocks which drive my left and right speakers?

Yes, you can do that without any problems.

 

[ohmywatt]

Yes, you can do that without any problems.

This is wonderful news! Thanks so much for confirming. The Mini-i 4 checks all my boxes. Happy to be placing my order for one.

 

[PenguinMusic]

Hi,

Got the mini-i Pro 4. The one with a headphone amplifier included.

The device is really nice and sounds incredibly well. So measurements are quite confirmed at listening to the device.

If you're looking for an "All-in-one" that just sounds good, go for it.

But if you want something that will adapt to your needs, then this is not it... It just lacks too many BASIC features.

Regards.

 

[ohmywatt]

Hi,

Got the mini-i Pro 4. The one with a headphone amplifier included.

The device is really nice and sounds incredibly well. So measurements are quite confirmed at listening to the device.

If you're looking for an "All-in-one" that just sounds good, go for it.

But if you want something that will adapt to your needs, then this is not it... It just lacks too many BASIC features.

Regards.

I'm the process of getting mine dialed in as I'm writing this. Two complaints... the lack of a 12V trigger and the HDMI ARC feature seems wonky. I can't complain about the audio input selection as it covers pretty much everything in a home audio setup. What are the basic features you think it lacks?

 

[PenguinMusic]

I'm the process of getting mine dialed in as I'm writing this. Two complaints... the lack of a 12V trigger and the HDMI ARC feature seems wonky. I can't complain about the audio input selection as it covers pretty much everything in a home audio setup. What are the basic features you think it lacks?

Hi,

To make it perfectly clear, what I am looking for is a device that you can use in total closed circuit.
In other words : I can use it with a USB Stick and do not need anything else to run it to my needs.

Well, I can't do that :
- no support for the "Album Artist" tag ;
- no support for the "Disk" tag ;
- no support for the "Date" tag.

OK, now let's assume I accept to use it with an external media server.
So just as renderer... using the Matrix App.
As a result :
- no support for Plex (or only super limited though, when it even works) ;
- no support for Emby media server ;
- no support for UAPP UPnP server ;
- no support for Neutron UPnP/DLNA server...
- no support for Bubble UPnP media server...

Which looks like their claim that you can retrieve your music from any local NAS or UPnP/DLNA server is somewhat deceptive.

Of course, several times as it is not compatible it tries to find a track and so the whole app is "frozen".

Also, if I disconnect everything : no USB stick and no "Media server" selected.
Then I end up with the "Library" thumb showing thousands of tracks... that of course can not be played.
I am sure that there is a way to clean up those files.
But I am yet to find where that setting is...

Also, I can not understand why Matrix provides a 1Gbps Ethernet port.
It is nice to have it...
But for what purpose ?
I naively thought that there would be a way to make the device appear on the network.
So it would be possible to add tracks to a USB stick or SSD hard drive directly.
But no way to do this it seems :-(
So if you want to add a track to your library, you'll have to unplug the storage attached, plug it into your computrer, copy the desired music, unplug it from computer, plug it back into the Mini-i and let it index your whole library again. Good point : indexing the library is blazing fast.

At this point oine thing is clear : this is JUST A RENDERER.
Nothing more.
If you want to use it as such, it will work perfectly.
All the rest is just for the birds and the tourists.
Unless you have really basic needs.

I can compare this directly to other device that sereve the same purpose.
I hoped this to be the ultimate device.
It is REALLY far from it...

Regards.

 

[lealoureiro]

Hello,

I'm planning to buy a 2nd hand Matrix Audio Mini-i 4, with main goal to use it as Roon Endpoint. I'm not sure if this unit was bought before the Roon Ready certification or not.
Did someone here has this model that was not working with Roon and started working with firmware update? Do "older" units get retro fixed with firmware update?

Regards,
Leandro

 

[mash]

Hello,

I'm planning to buy a 2nd hand Matrix Audio Mini-i 4, with main goal to use it as Roon Endpoint. I'm not sure if this unit was bought before the Roon Ready certification or not.
Did someone here has this model that was not working with Roon and started working with firmware update? Do "older" units get retro fixed with firmware update?

Regards,
Leandro

I have a mini-i 3 that I use as a roon endpoint. It originally was purchased pre-certification and then updated via firmware for full support. Has worked perfectly ever since. It was more expensive than some of my RPi endpoints (several running Ropieee and one running Moode) but way less hassle updating the software.

 

[MatrixAudio]

Hello,

I'm planning to buy a 2nd hand Matrix Audio Mini-i 4, with main goal to use it as Roon Endpoint. I'm not sure if this unit was bought before the Roon Ready certification or not.
Did someone here has this model that was not working with Roon and started working with firmware update? Do "older" units get retro fixed with firmware update?

Regards,
Leandro

Hi,
Rest assured. Every mini-i 4 will get the latest firmware which is Roon Ready. Best regards.