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

[VintageFlanker]

I bought a used Matrix Audio X Sabre Pro (non MQA) and received it today. I was thinking the unit is totally black, but it's somehow golden .

@MatrixAudio: Is there something wrong or was the non MQA version like that? What about the MQA version, is it really black?

View attachment 503632

I second @gvl : looks like a Black version, that has been very exposed to sunlight for a certain amount of time... You can look at the pic and see that the teint is absolutely not from factory.

 

[Roland68]

I bought a used Matrix Audio X Sabre Pro (non MQA) and received it today. I was thinking the unit is totally black, but it's somehow golden .

@MatrixAudio: Is there something wrong or was the non MQA version like that? What about the MQA version, is it really black?

View attachment 503632

Wow, someone's really messed up their anodizing process.

I've only ever seen this kind of thing on anodized bicycle parts, or other anodized items that have been exposed to sun and weather for years, but not on indoor devices.
Is the color uniform all around, including on the underside?

 

[seyl3r]

I second @gvl : looks like a Black version, that has been very exposed to sunlight for a certain amount of time... You can look at the pic and see that the teint is absolutely from factory.

Huh? What do you think now exposed to sunlight or is it from factory?

The color is uniform on the whole upper aluminum body. The lower lid is perfectly black, so is the remote control. So I guess the unit is really a messed up anodized surface and B-grade goods - if Matrix-Audio really sells something like this which I honestly think does not make any sense in this price range.

Hopefully they reply to me.

 

[VintageFlanker]

Huh? What do you think now exposed to sunlight or is it from factory?

Edited : absolutely not from factory.

 

[Roland68]

Huh? What do you think now exposed to sunlight or is it from factory?

The color is uniform on the whole upper aluminum body. The lower lid is perfectly black, so is the remote control. So I guess the unit is really a messed up anodized surface and B-grade goods - if Matrix-Audio really sells something like this which I honestly think does not make any sense in this price range.

Hopefully they reply to me.

Anodizing is a colored oxide layer created from aluminum.
Anodized aluminum can fade significantly over years due to strong UV/sunlight exposure. This can be exacerbated by the use of harsh cleaning agents.
In both cases, the color particles are attacked and thus removed and/or faded.

It is best to simply dust or, at most, use dish soap.

 

[gvl]

I have Emotiva monoblocks that faded in a similar way. I also tend to think it’s due to an inferior anodizing process. Sure all anodizing will fade at some point, but these are relatively new devices, and there should be reduced UV exposure inside as regular window glass blocks UV.