• Welcome to ASR. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!

Matrix Audio mini-i 4 Streamer Review

Rate this streamer/DAC:

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 11 5.5%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 51 25.5%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 110 55.0%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 28 14.0%

  • Total voters
    200
Hi,
And what about all the limitations given a little earlier ?
Any plan to fix those ?
Regards.
 
Dear PenguinMusic,
We are still working on the requirements you mentioned. But I don't have a expected time of improving it yet.
Hi,

Cool. Thanks a lot.
I'd be glad to help to test out but I gave the unit back :-(
Anyways, if you can post a message here once you have ironed out what the post above said to be limitations, I'd gladly get another one to see if it fits :-)

Regards.
 
Just got a used copy in house. Tried out with minidlna (UPnp server) and works ok with Matrix Audio app.
Tried using BubbleUPnP app, this also worked ok.

Is there a way to "factory reset" the Mini-i 4 in the Matrix Audio app?

UPDATE!!

MA app cannot play gapless, and it does not sort tracklist correct. I have only tested UPnP (minidlna). The app also claims to have an update, but appstore (iOS) does not have any updates.

My recommendation is to use BubbleUPnP app, the it lists as should, and it plays gapless.

I also found the "load default" -> reset......, so my question is answered ;-)
 
Last edited:
Can anyone comment on the MATRIX MINI-I PRO 4 - in particular regarding the issues Amir found while testing the none PRO version? And whether it works well as a pre-amp, even without a volume knob?
 
Can anyone comment on the MATRIX MINI-I PRO 4 - in particular regarding the issues Amir found while testing the none PRO version? And whether it works well as a pre-amp, even without a volume knob?
Hi Ralph,

I have the Mini i-4 Pro and have found it to be a well performing and very versatile unit. I bypassed the pre-amp/volume control function and used my dedicated preamp for volume control with great success. I think measurements tell one side of the story but in my experience, this is an overall great streamer/DAC for everyday use.
 
Can anyone comment on the MATRIX MINI-I PRO 4 - in particular regarding the issues Amir found while testing the none PRO version? And whether it works well as a pre-amp, even without a volume knob?
Hi,

I had the mini-i 4 Pro for some time.
I did not keep it.
Does it sound good ? No. It sounds SPECTACULAR ! Really.
Does it have numerous features ? Well it had most of those I am looking for.

So why not keep it ?
Because of the super crappy software that you have to use to drive that thing.
After 10 days of use I was still fighting to be able to use to my needs.

I then switched to something else where everyuthing... well, just works.
CAUTION : it wqorks for MY needs. It may work less good for YOUR needs.
Same goes for the mini-i 4 PRO : it did not work for MY needs, but it may well suit YOUR needs...
 
I’ve had a Mini-i4 Pro for a while now, using it in a second system for a mix of TV viewing and streaming via Roon. For streaming, no issues as my primary interface is Roon. It’s worked well for TV watching as well - no sync issues or anything like that.

My only complaint with it is Matrix software turns on my TV whenever you switch inputs. For example, if I switch from HDMI Arc (with the TV off) to streaming, the TV will turn on, even though it’s not needed for streaming purposes. It’s an annoyance vs a dealbreaker, but it would be nice if Matrix would make the HDMI Arc signal one direction vs bi-directional.

Edited to include: I use an Apple TV for TV viewing, which turns the TV on when needed.
 
Can anyone confirm if via the menu you can set the XLR output to fixed?

The manual doesn't show the menu options, AI says it does (but I need to verify) and I have looked at numerous reviews but no one bothers to cover this off.

Thanks,

Peter
 
Can anyone confirm if via the menu you can set the XLR output to fixed?

The manual doesn't show the menu options, AI says it does (but I need to verify) and I have looked at numerous reviews but no one bothers to cover this off.

Thanks,

Peter

Yeah, it appears to do so. The MA Remote app has an option that appears to set it for both RCA and XLR. There is a popup reminding you of the consequences. I only use mine for headphone duties, so I can’t quite get full confirmation, but it’s likely true:
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0426.jpeg
    IMG_0426.jpeg
    103.9 KB · Views: 21
Can anyone confirm if via the menu you can set the XLR output to fixed?

The manual doesn't show the menu options, AI says it does (but I need to verify) and I have looked at numerous reviews but no one bothers to cover this off.

Thanks,

Peter
Hi Peter,

Yes you can. I had mine connected to my dedicated preamp and used only the volume control on the preamp.

Deon
 
Back
Top Bottom