Matrix Element X2 Streamer Review

[Arnas]

Apples and oranges, again...
Is the X26PRO a streamer and headphones amp? Does it have a touchscreen?

Features like that doesnt cost much to be honest.

 

[subframe]

Those amp specs seems weird. 230W in 2-channel but 850W in mono? Is that a typo I wonder.

 

[Audiophonics]

Matrix integrated amps used to integrate ICEPower modules. What about this one, @MatrixAudio ?

The MATRIX ELEMENT P2 uses the ICEpower 250ASX2 module (information collected from Matrix).

 

[enricoclaudio]

Those amp specs seems weird. 230W in 2-channel but 850W in mono? Is that a typo I wonder.

It's not a typo:

element P2 | Audio Power Amplifier

www.matrix-digi.com

 

[Tangband]

Why does this product cost 5 times more than the Eversolo streamer ?

 

[staticV3]

Why does this product cost 5 times more than the Eversolo streamer ?

-less known brand
-fewer input types
-no built-in headphone amp
-no trigger in/out
-more noise on analog outputs

 

[xrqp]

These are stereo components so it’s logical that the HDMI eARC input only handles and process what it can reproduce which is stereo.

Do we agree that makes the HDMI very unimportant. A very teeny tiny positive.

 

[tk21]

Do we agree that makes the HDMI very unimportant. A very teeny tiny positive.

I don't quite agree. For me, HDMI eARC might be worth a couple hundred dollars, if that were the net cost to upgrade from my Element X to the X2.

I don't own an AVR and am not too interested in surround sound. Watching movies with HiFi stereo sound is ok. For that, an HDMI eARC connection would be better than Toslink, not so much for SQ as for the improved command and control functionality.

However, to me, the price jump from the Element X (~$3K new in 2020) to the X2 (~$4.5K in 2023) is too much just for that feature. The improved remote control might be worth another couple hundred bucks, along with the touchscreen (for the album info display, not so much for the "touch" controls.)

 

[Snoopy]

Do we agree that makes the HDMI very unimportant. A very teeny tiny positive.

Why ? I imagine plenty people are fine with Stereo setups because they use their loudspeakers mainly for music and netflix where stereo is absolutely fine.

I like movies and TV shows but 2.1 is fine for me. Wouldn't even have the space for a proper 5.1 or more setup.

 

[EJ3]

Why ? I imagine plenty people are fine with Stereo setups because they use their loudspeakers mainly for music and netflix where stereo is absolutely fine.

I like movies and TV shows but 2.1 is fine for me. Wouldn't even have the space for a proper 5.1 or more setup.

The only thing that I am doing different than you is 2.2 (instead of 2.1) For stereo & DVD, 4K etc. I don't stream. It's either one of the 36 channels I get over the air or FM (75 mile radius [but it's 1/a radius because about 180 degrees of it is Atlantic Ocean]). Or the silver discs in whatever format.

 

[Shultzee]

Anyone that has a ELEMENT X2 pure streamer can explain the three settings, High, Ultra, Flac? I understand Flac but can't find info anywhere on the other two. You would think Ultra is the highest but it's the middle setting. The performance of the X2 pure dac is pretty amazing. I just spent two years with a Rockne Wavedream and I don't feel I am missing a thing.

 

[Doodski]

Rockne Wavedream

As nice looking and as esoteric as the Wavedream is if a DAC is doing it's job properly it will have no sound of it's own. So in todays DACs there are now DAC(s) that are priced at less than $100 and they output transparent sound that is uncolored and exceeds the human hearing abilities.

 

[Shultzee]

I am not going down that road. Just trying to get an answer to above question. I have owned a Pagoda, Bifrost, Cutest, Yggdrasil, Wavedream and now X2 pure. None of them have sounded the same to me but I digress.

 

[Doodski]

I am not going down that road. Just trying to get an answer to above question. I have owned a Pagoda, Bifrost, Cutest, Yggdrasil, Wavedream and now X2 pure. None of them have sounded the same to me but I digress.

You drop names like they mean something here and lend credibility to your commentary and then don't want to go there. DACs are a solved problem and have been for years. Searching for a DAC to color your sound is not scientific and not true to electronics theory. I ask if you at least level matched them when you compared them or if you listen for weeks and then claim sound coloration is occurring in a DAC?

 

[jayapple]

A few years ago, such high-priced DAC decoders seemed to have a small market, but with the birth of super-integrated chips such as ESS, affordable HIFI became the dominant product. These high-priced machines of the same quality or even low quality will be eliminated.

 

[Jimster480]

A few years ago, such high-priced DAC decoders seemed to have a small market, but with the birth of super-integrated chips such as ESS, affordable HIFI became the dominant product. These high-priced machines of the same quality or even low quality will be eliminated.

I agree that honestly with such performance available at a low price point I just don't see the purpose of these high priced units existing any longer.