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Matrix Audio Mini-i Pro 3 Review (Streamer & DAC)

dan_uk

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Expensive is relative. Rasberry pi solutions that work with tidal and qobuz cost money as well. Audirvana is subscription based and not much cheaper.

Free software that comes with streamers just covers the basics.

But Roon is not even 10$ a month. If you pay already for Qobuz , Tidal, Netflix, Disney , apple TV it's not such a big deal
FYI for anyone that doesn't know - Roon do a lifetime membership too for $699. I paid it in 2017 when it was $499 so very happy :)
 

Jimbob54

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FYI for anyone that doesn't know - Roon do a lifetime membership too for $699. I paid it in 2017 when it was $499 so very happy :)
at $500 I almost went for it (I didnt, figuring the actual lifespan of the service or my need for it might tap out at less than 5 years from then anyway) but to basically commit for 7+ years to that now is bonkers.
 

Bow_Wazoo

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My Pro 3 has arrived.
The device feels very valuable.
USB connection to my smartphone works without problems.
The sound is unobtrusive, in a good way.
This is what a DAC/amp should sound like.
So far I am very satisfied.

IMG_3897-Bearbeitet-Bearbeitet-Bearbeitet-Bearbeitet.jpg
 

Dealux

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This thing seems to have a lot of noise when driven at low voltages for IEMs for instance. I saw a reviewer complain that most IEMs produced hissing on the amp of this unit. That's kind of unfortunate.
 

Bow_Wazoo

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Why are hes doing this?
The technical specs are known...
 

dan_uk

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Oh, I am fully aware that the Matrix mini i3 models are geared toward Room users, which fits my needs as I am a Roon subscriber. I wasn’t reading the other thread in hopes for direct Spotify or Tidal streaming support.

Ordered the pro version last weekend to compare to the Cambridge CXN v2. No real issues with the Cambridge but only need a dedicated Roon end point. The Cambridge may be for sale soon...
Hi - I see you bought the Mini i pro and had a CXN v2 - any info on how they compare? I've got a MA already and thinking of buying a second but just want to make sure there's nothing else to consider.
 

JRiggs

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Hi - I see you bought the Mini i pro and had a CXN v2 - any info on how they compare? I've got a MA already and thinking of buying a second but just want to make sure there's nothing else to consider.
Both are great units. No complaints or issues with either. I sold the Cambridge and kept the Matrix. If all you need is a Roon endpoint, flip a coin.
 

lordearl

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If the Pro 3 is used as an unbalanced analogue preamp (ie connected the RCA input to a cd player or other fixed output source), what is the gain on the RCA output? Is it a unity gain buffer?

The specifications don't provide any comments on this part of the circuit.
 

VintageFlanker

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If the Pro 3 is used as an unbalanced analogue preamp (ie connected the RCA input to a cd player or other fixed output source), what is the gain on the RCA output? Is it a unity gain buffer?
Speaking about the devil... I just plan to post my measurements of this "analog" line-in, and... long story short: don't use it.

By the way, there is no "analogue preamp". It works that way : Line in->ADC->DAC volume->outputs.

You should really plug the S/PDIF out of your CD player.
 
Last edited:

lordearl

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Speaking about the devil... I just plan to post my measurements of this "analog" line-in, and... long story short: don't use it.

By the way, there is no "analogue preamp". It works that way : Line in->ADC->DAC volume->outputs.

You should really plug the S/PDIF out of your CD player.
Wow! That is bizarre! Thanks!!
No DLNA in this unit either...
 

Nikan

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Hi all!
Does the manufacturer of this DAC plan to add support for Google Chromecast? Is it possible to do this by updating the firmware of the device?
 

Jimbob54

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I doubt it if it doesnt ship with it enabled
 

VintageFlanker

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I just finished my testings of the Line Input... :rolleyes:
PXL_20220330_164233810.MP.jpg


Manufacturer's specs:

SNR: >-102dB A-weighting
THD+N: <0.0025%@1k, <0.0030%@20Hz-20kHz
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz ±0.2 -3dB@46kHz
Channel Crosstalk: >-97dB
Input Level: 2.0VRMS Maximum


As a reminder, the Mini-i Pro 3 with USB-in / XLR-outs measures as such:​

RMAA summary​

Test
Results
RMAA rating
Frequency response (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB
+0.02, -0.02​
Excellent
Noise level, dB (A)
-123.2​
Excellent
Dynamic range, dB (A)
123.1​
Excellent
THD, %
0.00028​
Excellent
THD + Noise, dB (A)
-107.0​
Excellent
IMD + Noise, %
0.00046​
Excellent
Stereo crosstalk, dB
-123.2​
Excellent
IMD at 10 kHz, %
0.00038​
Excellent

Now, when using Line-in / XLR-outs. By the way, what I plugged to RCA inputs is the Topping D90SE (4V mode, the half as that SE)
Frequency response (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB
+0.33, -0.36​
Good
Noise level, dB (A)
-124.2​
Excellent
Dynamic range, dB (A)
91.9​
Very good
THD, %
0.00317​
Very good
THD + Noise, dB (A)
-84.0​
Good
IMD + Noise, %
0.010​
Very good
Stereo crosstalk, dB
-122.8​
Excellent
IMD at 10 kHz, %
155.267 (???)
Very poor

These are the results at fixed output (0dB). Quite a significant drop in performance and one major concern being the IMD. I measured different levels (attenuation by volume control), which still showed quite unremarkable performance....
TestLine In 0dBLine In -3dBLine In -6dBLine In -9dBLine In -12dB
Frequency response (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB
+0.33, -0.36+0.33, -0.37+0.15, -0.28+0.03, -0.11+0.03, -0.11
Noise level, dB (A)
-124.2-124.3-123.2-120.4-117.7
Dynamic range, dB (A)
91.992.490.692.092.1
THD, %
0.003170.002770.003090.003120.00332
IMD + Noise, %
0.0100.0110.0110.009140.00838
Stereo crosstalk, dB
-122.8-121.6-119.0-116.8-113.6

This tab does not tell you everything. Yet, graphs do :

Frequency response
fr.png


Noise level
ns.png



THD + Noise (at -3 dB FS)
thd.png

Dynamic range
dr.png

Intermodulation distortion (swept tones)
IMD+N Sw.png
IMD+N Sw max.png

Intermodulation distortion
imd.png

Stereo crosstalk
ct.png


...Overall, there are plenty of issues. Worst ones happening from -6 to 0dB levels. IMD is simply unacceptable, with clipping that just breach the roof of audibility, even at -12dB level.

What's your thoughts, @MatrixAudio ? Please don't tell me it comes from the DAC I paired with. I have a complete picture of both D90SE and Mini-i Pro 3 regular performance. The only reason I could consider is the 2.1Vrms output of the D90SE being a touch too high and brings some clipping as such. Yet if 2.1Vrms is "too much", it will be quite a concern for many, many gears with regular 1.8-2.3Vrms RCA outputs...

Until further explanations, I give it a failing grade...​
 
Last edited:

ra990

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The line in is likely going through an ADC and then DAC, leading to bad performance. This is the issue with most of these units that don't pass the analog line-in straight to the amplifier section.
 

lordearl

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What a pity they implemented a line-in like this! Totally wasted opportunity to release a fully functional streaming pre-amp.

I can't find any other streaming devices which have an analogue input - can anyone suggest another device, as I was just about to pull the trigger on this unit when @VintageFlanker ran the test!!!
 

MatrixAudio

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Jun 5, 2019
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Dear @VintageFlanker ,
Thanks for your detailed measurements and feedback.
According to our speculation, it may because the 2.1vrms is a little bit higher, which causes the ADC produced a significant distortion. If you reduce it to 1.8vrms, would it be better?
We will do more tests regarding this issue, if it is a bug, we will make some improvement by a future firmware update.
Anyway, really appreciated to your feedback!
 
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