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

[Harmonie]

As we are slowly but surely drifting away from the main topic, just a last question to all you specialists about streaming:
Would it be possible to make a streamer with the stock Internet's supplier's ADSL box ?
I mean it has RJ45 input, USB, HDMI, Toslink aso ....

 

[Novak]

1) I have asked matrix audio about the streamer and they said rolled out is shifted to next year (due to covid 19)
2) in order to get back to the topic, and more precisely about the last firmware version v3.30 of XSP, MA says: "Fixed the issue that the filter settings is invalid under USB connection" - does it mean that filters were not working using USB interface? I am not sure to get it right.

 

[virtuovice]

1) I have asked matrix audio about the streamer and they said rolled out is shifted to next year (due to covid 19)
2) in order to get back to the topic, and more precisely about the last firmware version v3.30 of XSP, MA says: "Fixed the issue that the filter settings is invalid under USB connection" - does it mean that filters were not working using USB interface? I am not sure to get it right.

Assuming the streamer you've asked them about is the Mini-i 3/Mini-i Pro 3?

As per your second question; that's my understanding. In the previous firmware, there was an issue where MQA filters were not loading correctly (via USB).

 

[Novak]

Assuming the streamer you've asked them about is the Mini-i 3/Mini-i Pro 3?

No pure streamer

 

[virtuovice]

No pure streamer

Nice, excited again.

 

[tripitz]

Is there an RPI streamer build from Aloo and/or others that would be a good complement to this? I'm on the fence about ordering an Element X or this. Prefer this because I like separates and believe I can get a front end for half the incremental cost of the X over this. I'm a bit lost as to which RPI I should go with. I've played around with a standard 4 with the cheap PSU and it worked "fine". I want something to match the level of quality that this unit can handle. Thanks in advance.

 

[Novak]

Is there an RPI streamer build from Aloo and/or others that would be a good complement to this? I'm on the fence about ordering an Element X or this. Prefer this because I like separates and believe I can get a front end for half the incremental cost of the X over this. I'm a bit lost as to which RPI I should go with. I've played around with a standard 4 with the cheap PSU and it worked "fine". I want something to match the level of quality that this unit can handle. Thanks in advance.

Here I use allo usbridge signature + matrix audio XSP. It works very well. It should be very similar with rpi4

 

[Naumm]

allo usbridge signature with Shanti LPS is much, much better than with stock PS..

 

[Veri]

allo usbridge signature with Shanti LPS is much, much better than with stock PS..

Uh-huh.. Better how, anything behind the claim? Or just 'because I say so'

 

[Deleted member 17887]

Really interesting discussion about the intersample clipping.
It's a bit unclear to me how big a problem this is for the "at home audiophile". In other words, should a non-pro user worry about this at all?

Should we:
a) attenuate in the OS / playback software
b) run the DAC in PRE mode and change the DAC's volume to -3 dB
c) keep everything at full volume in the OS, playback software and DAC since this is not that big of a deal for non-pro users

If a) is chosen, would it be better to attenuate 3dB in Foobar or in the ASIO software? Or would both results be identical?

 

[Naumm]

Uh-huh.. Better how, anything behind the claim? Or just 'because I say so'

Simply because I hear so. I forgot to emphasize that I did not take any measurements, sorry. If you’re wondering what I think is better, no problem, I’ll say.

 

[Novak]

I also have the Shanty and I am not sure I could distinguish if it is used or not in a blind test.

It would be interesting if our Amir could test this allo usbridge sig with and without shanty.

In any case, the usbridge sig works very well, very responsive, I never have any bug (no need to reboot). Almost all audio formats are supported. Here, it is being used with Ropieee.

 

[Hemi-Demon]

allo usbridge signature with Shanti LPS is much, much better than with stock PS..

What exactly does the usbridge do? For the life of me I don't get why you need a separate device to go from a streamer into a dac, especially a $200 device.

 

[Veri]

What exactly does the usbridge do? For the life of me I don't get why you need a separate device to go from a streamer into a dac, especially a $200 device.

Some kind of ultra isolated and regulated USB connection.. for whatever nervosa you have about USB lol. Would be funny to have amir measure it to see if it does anything at all on the analyser.

 

[Novak]

Would be funny to have amir measure it to see if it does anything at all on the analyser.

Agreed,
Comparison versus rpi 4 would be interested with and without shanty

 

[sq225917]

Id like to see the numbers to support what I heard but usb bridge sig plus shanti was clearly better than a pig. That said, a £170 nuc sounded identical and runs better.

 

[20396]

RCA ?
XLR ?

 

[Roadsterlover]

Is the Matrix's "M-Link" connection functional only with other Matrix products, as is implied in the manual, or will it work as a standard 12-volt trigger with other brands of amps so equipped? Anyone have any experience with this? I'd like to try the Matrix as a preamp to my McIntosh tube amps which have a 12-volt trigger. Thx.

 

[virtuovice]

Is the Matrix's "M-Link" connection functional only with other Matrix products, as is implied in the manual, or will it work as a standard 12-volt trigger with other brands of amps so equipped? Anyone have any experience with this? I'd like to try the Matrix as a preamp to my McIntosh tube amps which have a 12-volt trigger. Thx.

It is *not* compatible with standard 12-volt trigger ports.

 

[20396]

Audirvana ? This software can upsampling to maximum kHz