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

[somy]

Any update from MA regarding the wrong wireless card?

 

[neukrisz]

Any update from MA regarding the wrong wireless card?

Still nothing...

 

[raykkho]

I'm happy to share with you that with the help of MA Audio I've been able to upgrade my X firmware to the latest version using iOS, not Android, which is my preferred OS. Anyway suggest those who are still having issue to contact MA support direct.

 

[Aibek]

Matrix Element X (MA Remote 2.2.3, firmfare B61601), files on the memory card. Plays a track and stops, that is, does not play all tracks on the album. What is the problem?

 

[chi2]

This issue, among others, has been brought to the attention of MA already five months ago. They used to be responsive but no longer are. While the hardware side of MA products is top shelf, the software development definitely is not, and, sadly, customer support isn't either.

 

[Aibek]

I may be wrong, but I think the problems started with version 2.1.5

 

[chi2]

Continous playback when directly starting from a song (on an album or in a playlist) has never worked with the MA Remote app.

 

[Aibek]

It doesn't work for me - it plays one song at a time. Maybe I'm doing something wrong?

 

[chi2]

It's a known bug/severe lack of functionality that should have been addressed by MA long time ago. You can't do anything about it other than to complain with MA's support.

 

[Aibek]

Is there another application ?, - analogue of MA

 

[chi2]

I'm streaming Tidal content with the Tidal app on an iPhone, iPad, Android phone and Android tablet with usb connection to the element x. This way there are no limitations to the bandwidth. When I need wireless I'm casting to a Google Chromecast Audio whose optical out is connected to the element x. This gives excellent quality but no support for high res content (above 16 bit 44.1 kHz).

 

[Casey Leedom]

(sigh) And this just goes to show that it isn't in fact all measurements: you need the company standing behind their products and services ...

Casey

 

[Vladimir_Kl]

Given my experience with various streamers, vendor specific player software is always limited and buggy - I think because audio manufacturers usually cannot invest into proper software development team. Solution is simple - use Roon. Element X is good enough Roon endpoint, I discovered only single issue - slightly lagging device volume control.

 

[Casey Leedom]

Yeah, I’ve experienced the sticky volume control issue as well — though, so far only when I first start up ...

I was thinking more along the lines of the rather weak responses to to issues like getting their remote IR codes into the Logitech Harmony database, and other specific feature requests (discrete Power On and Power Off IR Commands, etc,)

Casey

 

[Vladimir_Kl]

I agree that their support could do better - I reported Roon volume control issue, but MA answered that they cannot reproduce it. Trying with Roon support - at least they turned on diagnostics, gathered logs, and promised to answer...

 

[Glasvegas]

Given my experience with various streamers, vendor specific player software is always limited and buggy - I think because audio manufacturers usually cannot invest into proper software development team. Solution is simple - use Roon. Element X is good enough Roon endpoint, I discovered only single issue - slightly lagging device volume control.

I‘ve been following this thread with some interest. I think your statement sums up our attitude to vendor software - we seem to expect it to be limited and buggy. On a $2,999 device?

We should expect a lot better than that, even on a much cheaper device.

And the solution is simple. Just buy a $699 Roon subscription and additional server cost.

 

[Vladimir_Kl]

@Glasvegas I totally agree that this is not good situation, but nothing compared to Roon exists - yes, it's is not cheap (and not ideal also). My experience with vendors includes expensive Bryston BDP-2 - they had only single engineer working on firmware and it was full of bugs. Support was responsive, but fixing bugs very often created new.

 

[Glasvegas]

@Glasvegas I totally agree that this is not good situation, but nothing compared to Roon exists - yes, it's is not cheap (and not ideal also). My experience with vendors includes expensive Bryston BDP-2 - they had only single engineer working on firmware and it was full of bugs. Support was responsive, but fixing bugs very often created new.

I can only comment on Tidal streaming, but I tried Roon and found it doesn’t integrate very well with Tidal. I think the best option for vendors like Matrix is to implement Tidal Connect. Problem solved.

I noticed in an earlier post by chi2 that he just plugs in his phone or uses a CCA to stream Tidal through his Element X. So a $30 dongle can do what is beyond Matrix.

 

[raykkho]

I have been using Tidal/Roon/element X for the past 4 months or so, while it may not be perfect, I didn't notice any issue on Tidal integration with Roon to affect my listening pleasure or habit, perhaps it is a personal preference thing? Also I have tried on a few occasions using MA app to stream Tidal direct to element X, I didn't spend a lot of time on it to be honest, but it didn't occur to me there's any usage issue, may be I am just lucky?

Again I use my X exclusively as a Roon Endpoint for headphone, while also using Roon with another DAC for my speakers, I can simultaneously play different streams of music to different DAC, without any issues I can detect.

We might also note that, although this is not a very good reason, MA is focusing on getting their Mini-i 3 on Roon certification and Tidal Connect, perhaps their manpower is gearing toward that side at the moment? Again not a very good reason but a few of us have pointed out they probably have a very small team.

 

[Aibek]

MA Remote 2.2.3 crashes when trying to play the next track. Which version of MA Remote is the most working?