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Review and Measurements of Matrix Audio Element X DAC/Streamer/Amp

Jimster480

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amirm

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Are you sure you weren't just measuring your Audio Precision?
Hehe. :) The thought occurred to me. For noise level, we are certainly at that limit. On distortion, we still have good bit of headroom. Here is the APx555 measuring itself:
APx555 Without AUX-0040.png


Distortion spikes are buried below 150 dB! APx555's total SINAD though is only 1 to 2 dB better than Element X so clearly that is dominated by noise.

There is a Rev B of my analyzer now that does 2 dB better. Cost to upgrade: $6,000! :eek:
 

JohnYang1997

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Hehe. :) The thought occurred to me. For noise level, we are certainly at that limit. On distortion, we still have good bit of headroom. Here is the APx555 measuring itself:
View attachment 27548

Distortion spikes are buried below 150 dB! APx555's total SINAD though is only 1 to 2 dB better than Element X so clearly that is dominated by noise.

There is a Rev B of my analyzer now that does 2 dB better. Cost to upgrade: $6,000! :eek:
How about the two test tones I posted? thanks
:(
which are 30hz 1khz 4:1 two tones and
Pink spectrum no interharmonic distortion multitone.
 
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amirm

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How about the two test tones I posted? thanks
:(
Just finished cooking some nice steaks and eating them! Will go to testing later tonight....
 

Jimster480

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Hehe. :) The thought occurred to me. For noise level, we are certainly at that limit. On distortion, we still have good bit of headroom. Here is the APx555 measuring itself:
View attachment 27548

Distortion spikes are buried below 150 dB! APx555's total SINAD though is only 1 to 2 dB better than Element X so clearly that is dominated by noise.

There is a Rev B of my analyzer now that does 2 dB better. Cost to upgrade: $6,000! :eek:
it is quite amazing though how this DAC isn't "so far" off of the analyzers performance! Especially considering that your analyzer is ~$28k?
Obviously most of that price comes from the incredible ADC's for measurement... but still! The performance of this DAC is pretty close to the bottom of your graphs here (which I assume is the limit of measurement?).
 
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amirm

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That's correct. With respect to noise, we are basically at the limit. With respect to distortion though, we can go another 20 dB. Distortion is more audible/problematic so it is god that we can keep going.
 

maxxevv

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Very impressive, especially when all the functionality, connectivity are included ! Price may be a little out of reach to many but if one were to buy separate SOTA performing sub-functioning units that's close to this, it wouldn't be significantly cheaper, if at all. Not to mention the hassle of connecting many units together and the space it would take up.

As things are, without considering room DSP, one could get one of these with a solid performing/ well rated powered speakers or connect with a Benchmark AHB2 to a speaker of one's choice and be completely done with the audio setup.

No double guessing needed ! Fantastic stuff !
 

Jimster480

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That's correct. With respect to noise, we are basically at the limit. With respect to distortion though, we can go another 20 dB. Distortion is more audible/problematic so it is god that we can keep going.
At the rate we have been going in the past 2 years.... I wouldn't be surprised if alot of that 20db is made up in the next 2 years.

The amount of competition from performance-focused manufacturers is incredible to say the least.
 

maxxevv

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At the rate we have been going in the past 2 years.... I wouldn't be surprised if alot of that 20db is made up in the next 2 years.

The amount of competition from performance-focused manufacturers is incredible to say the least.

Well, at least we are seeing a handful of good manufacturers pushing the performance envelope of things. I hope the positive exposure from these measurements will bring purchase decisions in their direction and weed out the snake-oil peddlers in the longer term.

Or at the very least pressure others to work towards technical excellence too.
 

SoundsGood2Me

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My pleasure. I did some RF work when growing up with electronics and repaired RF gear while going to college.

I am always stunned when I see the dbm numbers on cell phones and data rates we are able to push through them. "Small" signal does not do justice to it!

PS - Amirm, I reread your review, and wanted to mention I'm diggin' the tests you have invented, especially the 32 tone IM sweep. That's true intermod, pushing the system to the limit. And I really appreciate that you try to replicate every test, most of the time. John Atkinson would be proud! Let's hope the Matrix isn't the limit?
 
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amirm

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In fact, I introduced ASR Froum to Matrix Audio(marketing) and suggested mailing Element to you;)
Ah, thank you very much. :)
 
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YMY

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I have not. Do you want to purchase it and drop ship it to me for testing?
Do you want me to mail the motherboard or the finished machine?
I live in Shanghai and have no experience in international mailing.:eek:o_O
 
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amirm

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Nango

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That's correct. The two in single-ended mode seems to have different drive as one had a tad better performance. Makes sense that they would use each half of the balanced drive that way.

My amp HD53N also uses that kind of combo plugs. One has 10Ω and the other 120Ω, old school gear .........
 
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