Matrix Element X2 Streamer Review

[piaseczek]

X-SABRE3 performs equally or better than X-SABRE Pro MQA

No chance that performs better, even the official spec is the same.

I hope Amir will measure x sabre 3 in the future.

 

[enricoclaudio]

No chance that performs better, even the official spec is the same.

I hope Amir will measure x sabre 3 in the future.

Thanks to @VintageFlanker we have measurements already. In fat, @amirm promoted it to home page.

Matrix Audio X-SABRE 3 Measurements (DAC & Streamer)

Matrix Audio X-SABRE 3 Measurements Hi folks, Here is another review, measurements-based, of the Matrix Audio X-SABRE 3 DAC and streamer. This unit has been kindly loaned to me by @Audiophonics for the purpose of this review. This is the third version since the original X-SABRE Pro, which...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[ExUnoPlura]

Hello, curently I own

• a Raspbeery PI '(around 130 € these days, if you can find one) with RoopieeeXL (free of charge) as a streamer (RopieeeXL which is fed by HQPlayer which by it self is fed by Roon and Spotify)
• a RMI ADI DAC 2FS (around 1200 € -as far as I can see)
• a Topping A90D as my headphone amplifier (600 €)

I find the sound superb although this is just my impression - I do not have any measurements like AMIR to prove my point.
Nevertheless, I consider this a really serious rig for less than 2000€. As with many other contributors to this forum, I do have the impression that Matrix seem to be overplaying their hand - pricewise.

I used a PI solution with display combined with a Topping D90 but maintaining the PI was too onerous: regular failures that required re-imaging, complex setup, etc. I moved to the X-Sabre 3 and strongly prefer the simplicity/reliability (and to be clear, I installed Linux on laptops in the early/mid 90s, so not shy in these matters). The integrated streamer/DAC approach is worth the price for me insofar as it stays bulletproof.

 

[thunderchicken]

I think if the preamp functionality has similar SOTA performance, it'd be a good buy at $2500. As is, I couldn't justify the purchase either on performance or value. It's just not a competitive product.

 

[Hipster Doofus]

But… then there is the Zidoo Neo X for $1500. Mqa, hdmi, oh yeah meters.and 1/3 the price of the matrix

 

[JSmith]

hdmi

It's a HDMI out, being a 4K media player... not in with ARC like the Matrix Element X2 under review;

ZIDOO NEO X-Specs

www.zidoo.tv

No optical in either, however looks like an interesting product worth further consideration for sure.


JSmith

 

[muslhead]

Apples and banana's, sorry
The neo s should be compared to the element i2 not the element x2
Do some more research and you will see why
I own both

 

[beefkabob]

This price? What? You'd have to love this exact feature set and not care about the mediocre preamp section. Seems contradictory.

Honestly, I'm not sure why I still come here. I have all that I need gear wise.

 

[Jimster480]

I listened to this today with the stealth and my Aeon and while it sounded fine; the power was a bit lacking with the Aeon.
It worked with the stealth and @amirm is right; I used 55-65 volume level.
It did work directly with my Sony Xperia directly from USB.

 

[frki16]

I have a new test where I show the distortion level at various levels by adjusting the volume control (instead of input digital levels in the past):
View attachment 265495

thanks for this!
15% difference is pretty significant IMO
looking forward to see how other preamps behave...

 

[Trell]

Are you sure you're not reading too much into Amir's graph? It shows the X2 having 103.7dB SINAD at -30dB.

For reference, the D90SE using regular old digital attenuation will have 102.8dB SINAD at the same -30dB (you can extrapolate that from the DR measurement).

Is that +0.9dB SINAD boost really of any value? It's certainly not a game-changer.

I don't understand your calculation for the D90SE as it has a SINAD of 124.68 dB at 5.114 V, so at -30 dB the SINAD should be 124.68-30=94.68? This from the cursor position in Amir's review of the D90SE:

 

[staticV3]

I don't understand your calculation for the D90SE as it has a SINAD of 124.68 dB at 5.114 V, so at -30 dB the SINAD should be 124.68-30=94.68?

No. From the Dynamic Range test we know the D90SE has 72.85dB SINAD at -60dB input (132.85-60)


Since -60, -30dB are levels at which noise dominates, we know the DAC will react linearly to increases in level. Add one dB to the output, gain one dB SINAD.
Therefore, at -30dB input, the D90SE will show SINAD of 72.85+30=102.85dB.

Edit: as for the D90SE's SINAD at full output, the 124.x dB that you've quoted is actually the SINAD of the APx555 analyzer. The DAC's actual SINAD is closer to 127dB, which is only measurable if you add a notch filter to the APx.

 

[Sokel]

Is that +0.9dB SINAD boost really of any value? It's certainly not a game-changer.

The .9db is literally meaningless,what is the game changer from my perspective is the peace of mind that no digital glitch will present the full output to an amp.

 

[PeteL]

Topping / SMSL would probably make serious money if they could integrate a raspberry pi 4 in their DACs. People could put a streamer software of their choice on it or use it as Roon endpoint. Sell that bundled with a matching headphone amp and XLR cables.

Should be possible for 1000 USD to get a seriously good stack with a small footprint.

With the money that's left over you could buy a pair of Kef LS50II and a iPad Pro! As display
(Ridiculous really how much this thing costs)

The problem with Raspberry Pi is that 7 or 8 years from now, It will likely be fully obsolete and not compatible with the updates from the various streaming services. Dedicated hardware platform don't normally suffer that if the manufacturer is serious.

 

[PeteL]

So is it the first time that a network streamer is ranked and compared and competing in the same charts as pure DACs, and being competitive at it? In the past Amir was putting them in the AVR category. Just that says a lot.

 

[enricoclaudio]

I haven't tested it yet, but a new functionality was added with the latest firmware released on Feb 15th. Now the X2, M2 and i2 can play CDs when you attach an USB CD Drive to the USB-C port on the back of the unit.

 

[Jimster480]

The problem with Raspberry Pi is that 7 or 8 years from now, It will likely be fully obsolete and not compatible with the updates from the various streaming services. Dedicated hardware platform don't normally suffer that if the manufacturer is serious.

I see it the other way around. If a software solution is built it would run on all pi forever!
There is software from the first Pi's running on the latest ones like a decade later.

 

[PeteL]

I see it the other way around. If a software solution is built it would run on all pi forever!
There is software from the first Pi's running on the latest ones like a decade later.

Can you install volumio and such on a Pi model B from 2012? does it takes all updates from Tidal and such? I highly doubt it. My Bluesound streamer is from 2007, and it still receive firmware updates and all apps updates. In the end a PI is a computer. All of them becomes obsolete.

 

[SuicideSquid]

A question regarding the slight difference in SINAD between this and the X model -

Is that 2dB variation more likely attributable to unit-to-unit variation, to a margin of error of the tests, or to an actual difference in the devices?

 

[Jimster480]

A question regarding the slight difference in SINAD between this and the X model -

Is that 2dB variation more likely attributable to unit-to-unit variation, to a margin of error of the tests, or to an actual difference in the devices?

Actual difference. Not that it would matter. No music comes this close in SINAD and certainly no headphone does.