Matrix Element S & alternatives

[dscottj]

Matrix Audio announced its first pure streamer recently (April, I think). I'm quite happy with my Element M, but I do miss having a screen that displays what's playing at any one time. $1500 seems quite a lot to pay for a screen, but I'm having trouble getting google/amazon/whatevs to cough up a lower-cost alternative. If I were to go down this road, I'd likely pair it with a Topping DAC.

I know that there are vastly cheaper options with high measured performance, but none of them have a screen. Anyone know of alternatives? Thanks!

 

[enricoclaudio]

Pi 4 Touchscreen Display running RopieeeXL would work with any external DAC via USB. It’s also Roon Bridge so it would work as Roon End Point. A Pi 4 with Display cost no more than $250. RopieeeXL is free.

 

[Xellence]

Maybe EverSolo DMP-A6? It measured well, and the UI is quite friendly.
Not a pure streamer though, but you can still use it as a digital transport since it has a digital output.

reviewed by Amir here:

Eversolo DMP-A6 Streamer Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Eversolo DMP-A6 Streamer and balanced DAC. It was sent to me by the company. I don't have the price but see it on sale for US $850. The DMP-A6 design is absolutely gorgeous. A large, high contrast LCD allows it to show realistic visualizations...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Ranton]

Go big or go home! If you use Roon, for under $500, you can set up a large touchscreen monitor running off a small, cheap fanless PC as a control point (only works with Windows). Darko did a video on this a few years ago. In my case, I use a Dell P2418HT touchscreen and a MeLE Quieter 3Q Fanless Mini. I think you can get cheaper monitors by Chinese brands, but the Dell has performed well. The experience of running your Roon setup off of a 24" touchscreen is sublime! Works great for displaying cover art across the room, too.

 

[Snoopy]

Go big or go home! If you use Roon, for under $500, you can set up a large touchscreen monitor running off a small, cheap fanless PC as a control point (only works with Windows). Darko did a video on this a few years ago. In my case, I use a Dell P2418HT touchscreen and a MeLE Quieter 3Q Fanless Mini. I think you can get cheaper monitors by Chinese brands, but the Dell has performed well. The experience of running your Roon setup off of a 24" touchscreen is sublime! Works great for displaying cover art across the room, too.
View attachment 292580

makes much more sense to use a Rpi4 as Roon endpoint (or NAA endpoint for HQplayer) and a iPad as display / remote.