Matrix Audio X-SABRE Pro MQA: Best Audio DAC in the World?

[suttondesign]

At a time when leaders promote nationalism, this shows the beauty of internationalism and global commerce. Nice going, Matrix! Let the race begin!

 

[g29]

@amirm , Does this mean it is about time for new measuring equipment ???

 

[digicidal]

@amirm , Does this mean it is about time for new measuring equipment ???

LOL. Give the current equipment time to get a little dust on it before writing it off as inadequate.

 

[helloworld]

@amirm , Does this mean it is about time for new measuring equipment ???

apx has a new model of apx555

 

[Noob]

I seriously think these Matrix products need their own color bracket on the DAC SINAD chart. This kind of effort deserves that small level of recognition. I vote for purple as the 120dB+ top-tier color.

 

[Willem]

This is impressive indeed. Does it also have typincal classic pre amp features like balance, tone and loudness controls etc? Those were what made the RME ADI-2 the best DAC for me.

 

[Bamyasi]

Thank you @amirm, excellent work as usual! This makes me feel much more confident with placing my order. I just hope Matrix had stockpiled on X-Sabre Pro in advance and would be able to ship my unit soon I expect them running out of stock pretty fast now that ASR has spread the word (and plots).

 

[Bamyasi]

A quick question for @MatrixAudio: Can you please confirm that Power Holdings Inc. storefront on Amazon.com is your official vendor? Thank you.

 

[maxxevv]

This is impressive indeed. Does it also have typincal classic pre amp features like balance, tone and loudness controls etc? Those were what made the RME ADI-2 the best DAC for me.

They have the complete manual on their website for reference:

https://www.matrix-digi.com/pdf/X-SABRE_Pro_MQA_Manual_EN.pdf

 

[gvl]

A quick question for @MatrixAudio: Can you please confirm that Power Holdings Inc. storefront on Amazon.com is your official vendor? Thank you.

Afaik they are the official US distributor of Matrix products: https://power-holdings-inc.com/Matrix-c34633358

 

[Bamyasi]

Afaik they are the official US distributor of Matrix products: https://power-holdings-inc.com/Matrix-c34633358

I see, great. Thank you @gvl !

 

[gags11]

Wow, just wow!!!
I did kind of expect these results given how Element X measured, and the published specs for this DAC were better.

Having personally experienced this product, I can say the build quality is top notch. As some may have read my comparison thread to Mytek, I couldn’t tell the difference between them. But my ears are not as sensitive as Amir’s analyzer, lol.

Few things I have not mentioned in my comparison thread, and if anyone from Matrix reads this, I hope they have an answer.

Matrix is recognized by Roon and plays fine, but the volume cannot be adjusted through the Roon app. Did I miss something or is this because it is not Roon certified? I also had a glitch with few dsd 64 files, it would play static noise instead of music.

 

[maty]

BIG picture from: https://www.suono.it/Hi-Fi/Articoli/Matrix-Audio-X-Sabre-Pro

Optimized

More: https://www.matrix-digi.com/en/products/319.html

Built-in Pre-AMP

The line output of X-SABRE Pro can be configured with a +18dB digital gain. It's not necessary to add an additional pre-amplifier for low-gain active speakers. X-SABRE Pro also can work with power amplifier more conveniently and flexibly.

 

[Bamyasi]

My main concern at this point is that my Allo USBridge file transport won't recognize X-Sabre Pro since the chip Matrix has chosen to use for this particular model's USB interface is not very common. But we will see soon.

 

[soundwave76]

Wow. Kudos to Matrix! ADI-2 is still my prefered choice due to it's EQ and smart loudness capabilities, smaller form factor and... the spectrum visualizer!

 

[Willem]

I looked at the manual: unless it is incomplete, there are no controls for balance, tone, loudness, or parametric filtering. So even though I admire the measured results, at least for me the ADI-2 remains the practical winner, and in my country for a third of the price. After all, it too measures very well, and way beyond human hearing acuity. At that elevated level, response shaping controls are far more relevant. I am using each and every one of them, with measurable and audible results.

 

[Willing]

I just heard another MQA DAC has been released: SMSL M500, Price only 399.99 US dollars.
https://www.smsl-topping.com/SMSL-M...S9038PRO-AUDIO-Decoding-USB-DAC-p2239900.html

 

[maty]

Yes, if you live in the EU the best option is the RME ADI-2 DAC, € 948 (now € 989 ) at Spanish home from Thomann. I LOVE the very good RME ADCs to make vinyl rips from many years! And the technical service is incredible good too.

 

[filo97s]

Would be interesting to see if the multi dac architecture from Esoteric or the fpga/discrete dac from dCS are on the same level...
Still, I definitely LOVE the design of the element series. For sure they are the best dacs from a technical and aesthetical point of view.

 

[Willem]

Aestheticaly I am not too impressed. There is still nothng to beat Dieter Rams' audio designs for Braun, decades ago.