Aloha - am wondering if I should get the Bridge 2 and add it to my system (running innuos zen mk3, so no DSD and no Bridge so no MQA) or just add the matrix x-sdif 3 to be able to get the better sound using hmdi into i2s?
I have a McIntosh amp, but am obsessing over the BHK amp close-out sale so wondering if I will be able to save money before they run out! Also, I almost feel like a heretic or I’m cheating on my wife, but am not even using my McIntosh preamp anymore, instead just running everything through my PS Audio DSD and it does sound ‘better’ I think depending on the input. Wow, so glad I stepped out of my analogue universe and gave PS Audio a try. You know how hard it is to get a Dead Head McIntosh Analogue lover to do that AND admit it might be just as good or better?! Kudos to PS Audio.
P.S. would i need an external power supply if I ran a USB form the Zen to the matrix and then from the matrix to the DSD?
I have a bridge that I used in my DS MKI with ROON. Worked great. I up graded to MKII is no longer need. I can sell it to you for a reasonable price. let me know if interested
I did both the Matrix 2 route and the Bridge 2 route. I, unlike a weird number of others always thought listening through the Bridge 2 was like being wrapped in a warm blanket. I could do it endlessly. But the Matrix route required so many cables and a power supply and blah blah blah. It sounds good though.
In my opinion you can save a lot of fuss and bother with the Bridge 2. They are usually available for under $500 and all you need is an inexpensive Ethernet cable. Say in the range of $200 to $300.
At what volume do you run the dac directly to the McIntosh amp ? Assuming you have the Zen set at 100. Btw I have the same unit. Excellent unit and Sense app is super.