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- Jul 20, 2019
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Ok, so it turns out Matrix Element X's volume control is a relay/digital attenuation combo. Every 20 dB, a relay clicks in to enable analog attenuation (simply a resistor?), So between 0 and 19.5 dB of attenuation, the attenuation is digital, at 20 dB of attenuation, the relay clicks in and gives you 20 dB of analog attenuation and no digital. At 20.5 dB of attenuation, you have 20 dB of analog and 0.5 db of digital attenuation, etc.
I'm not sure if I like this. How does the SNR and harmonics levels vary as you change the volume?
I'm trying to decide between this and a Benchmark DAC3 L, and trying to compare their volume controls. I could go nuclear and get a Benchmark Line Preamp, but I wan't to avoid that for now.
I can tell you that I've owned a Benchmark DAC1, DAC2 HGC, and even auditioned the DAC3 HGC over many years to great satisfaction, but sonically for my tastes and to my ears the Matrix Element X is simply better sounding to me at any level of volume attenuation. I enjoyed the volume control of the Benchmark just fine, but I enjoy the overall sound quality of the Matrix much more irrespective of their hybrid attenuation scheme. It's as detailed and resolute as the Benchmark, but there's a minor upper-midrange glare or harshness in the Benchmark that I attribute to their house sound that is simply missing in the Element X. Let me be clear, we are splitting hairs here. I just know the gestalt I get listening to the Matrix Element X is ever so slightly more neutral or a touch smoother with no sense of a loss in detail. In fact I tend to think that this smoother neutral presentation allows one to hear even more detail. Of course this is all just subjective, but I ultimately chose the Matrix over the Benchmark based on what I remember intimately over nearly 2 decades of listening to Benchmark product offerings. Maybe there's some system synergy between my speakers, amps, and the Matrix DAC or maybe it's all in my head, but ultimately I chose the Element X over the Benchmark DAC HGC and I am very satisfied with the sound quality of the piece for what it's worth. FYI, you can purchase it through Amazon, presumably that will give you 30 days to audition it and decide. Hope that helps a little.