# Matrix X-SPDIF 2 **URL:** \ **Category:** Accessories and Tweaks\ **Created:** [February 4, 2019, 6:43pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116 "2019-02-04T18:43:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 234
**Author:** ![Serhan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/serhan/32/192329_2.png) [@Serhan](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Serhan)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2021, 7:32pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/4725 "2021-03-07T19:32:51Z")
Esoteric seems to recognise the full package. But I cannot confirm it is unfolding. Which connection do you use into the DAC? ---
**Author:** ![waymanchen11](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/waymanchen11/32/253241_2.png) [@waymanchen11](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/waymanchen11)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2021, 7:35pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/4726 "2021-03-07T19:35:28Z")
USB out from Esoteric\>Matrix\>I2S \>DS. ---
**Author:** ![Serhan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/serhan/32/192329_2.png) [@Serhan](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Serhan)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2021, 7:43pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/4727 "2021-03-07T19:43:36Z")
May be a quick test without matrix could confirm the final rate out of N-03. Also, I noticed that bridge and DS DAC support up-to 352.8. So 48 unfolds to 192 max. As 384 is not supported. In my view first unfold is quite good as you noted,. ---
**Author:** ![waymanchen11](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/waymanchen11/32/253241_2.png) [@waymanchen11](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/waymanchen11)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2021, 7:54pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/4728 "2021-03-07T19:54:40Z")
going straight into DAC with USB is the same. PCM 88.2k 24 bits on DS screen. ---
**Author:** ![paul172](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/paul172/32/308402_2.png) [@paul172](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/paul172)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2021, 8:20pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/4729 "2021-03-07T20:20:10Z")
I haven’t had enough time for a fair evaluation yet but I wanted to let you know I will post as soon as I get a chance. ---
**Author:** ![tech-hifi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/48db29/32.png) [@tech-hifi](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/tech-hifi)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2021, 10:15pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/4730 "2021-03-07T22:15:59Z")
I have a Lumin U1 Mini, Teddy Pardo dual power supply, Matrix SPDIF-2 and AQ cables for $2950 in the Marketplace if anyone is interested. ---
**Author:** ![Serhan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/serhan/32/192329_2.png) [@Serhan](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Serhan)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2021, 4:17am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/4731 "2021-03-08T04:17:46Z")
This confirms what you said earlier. You are getting the first unfold only. But if you like the sound, who cares about the additional layers! ---
**Author:** ![John\_Dubya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@John\_Dubya](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/John_Dubya)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2021, 12:25pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/4732 "2021-03-08T12:25:25Z")
FYI: [ wklie](https://community.roonlabs.com/u/wklie) Peter Lie Firmware Lead of LUMIN Network Music Players March 8 Only MQA Core decoding (first unfold) to digital output. No certified MQA device with digital output can render MQA. If you want MQA rendering or full decoding, you will have to use a MQA DAC with analog output, including our Lumin products with analog outputs. ---
**Author:** ![chris5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f19dbf/32.png) [@chris5](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/chris5)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2021, 12:38pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/4733 "2021-03-08T12:38:51Z")
That’s an interesting one. Is the final unfolding done by the psa bridge card, or the dac itself. If it is the bridge card, then that would break that rule as it has digital out and in theory could be hardware hacked to think it’s connected the psa dac when it’s not. ---
**Author:** ![RobH](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/robh/32/2585_2.png) [@RobH](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/RobH)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2021, 12:43pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/4734 "2021-03-08T12:43:44Z")
Back to cables for a minute… Testimonials here seem to suggest that RAL cables are superior to the Wireworld Platinum Starlight 7. I’m willing to dip my toes (without holding my breath) into an RAL cable, but would it be better to replace the USB cable that runs from my OpticalRendu to the Matrix, or to replace the HDMI/I2S cable that goes from the Matrix to the DirectStream? Ummm, or both? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Dubya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@John\_Dubya](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/John_Dubya)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2021, 12:55pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/4735 "2021-03-08T12:55:27Z")
I’m pretty sure that Bridge II does the full unfold. That’s probably the main reason many use it, as it degrades the sound of the other inputs. ---
**Author:** ![Serhan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/serhan/32/192329_2.png) [@Serhan](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Serhan)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2021, 1:22pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/4736 "2021-03-08T13:22:39Z")
Thank you for your time John. Am not leaving my DS DAC because it allows me to enjoy my old CD collection and all the lovely memories they carry 😍 ---
**Author:** ![Serhan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/serhan/32/192329_2.png) [@Serhan](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Serhan)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2021, 4:23pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/4737 "2021-03-08T16:23:32Z")
Hi @John_Dubya, As I promised you and @waymanchen11, I have done the test using both 44.1 / 24 as well as 48 / 24. In Roon, I see the first unfold to 88.2 and 96 respectively. Then it says MQA studio next to Bridge stage. On the screen, I see 44.1 and a blue MQA, or 48 and green MQA. MQA playback via Bridge is spectacular and is obviously well implemented. However, my regular 44.1/16 playbacks lose some air and liveliness. Still in love with DS DAC + Matrix 😍 ---
**Author:** ![scotte1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/scotte1/32/147_2.png) [@scotte1](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/scotte1)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2021, 4:38pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/4738 "2021-03-08T16:38:54Z")
> [@Somppsa](#): > > and that MConnect app. A point of clarification: B-II is a MQA prerequisite with the DirectStream DAC. MConnect is not. A variety of rendering/RC software will work. ---
**Author:** ![NipperDog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/nipperdog/32/179189_2.png) [@NipperDog](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/NipperDog)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2021, 5:09pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/4739 "2021-03-08T17:09:15Z")
Perhaps this discussion about MQA could be moved to its own thread or merged with another MQA thread. ---
**Author:** ![waymanchen11](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/waymanchen11/32/253241_2.png) [@waymanchen11](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/waymanchen11)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2021, 5:25pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/4740 "2021-03-08T17:25:36Z")
Thanks for going through all the trouble. I am quite happy with the first unfold and don’t really want to mess around with getting a bridge so I’ll wait until I get my next DAC. I wonder if the DS Mk II will have this feature built in. As to the question impose by @RobH, the answer is absolutely both. Unfortunately the USB cable makes just as much difference as the HDMI. I have tried various USB cables and the sound quality varies considerably. It can get very expensive if you want the best like @aangen who got just about the best out there, the Shunyata Sigma USB. But for most, the WW platinum USB is good enough. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Dubya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@John\_Dubya](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/John_Dubya)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2021, 5:44pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/4741 "2021-03-08T17:44:38Z")
MConnect stinks. Roon controls bridge II very well as it’s Roon ready. All of the information on a recording is available on my Apple ipad whether I’m using the bridge or HDMI from Matrix. I haven’t looked at the DSD screen in a very long time while streaming. ---
**Author:** ![wijber](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/wijber/32/2164_2.png) [@wijber](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/wijber)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2021, 8:56pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/4742 "2021-03-08T20:56:27Z")
Bridge II is third party [Conversdigital](http://www.conversdigital.com/), it’s based upon their mconnect and CDMCM-210 modules fully unfolding MQA up to 24/192: ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/psaudio/original/3X/9/6/96f2c3ef44d186971b46f35bb6a6de1e0b516576.jpeg) Enough about mqa and back on topic (with Qobuz delivering the real thing anyways;-) ---
**Author:** ![chris5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f19dbf/32.png) [@chris5](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/chris5)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2021, 9:03pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/4743 "2021-03-08T21:03:16Z")
Yes, I only subscribe to qobuz ---
**Author:** ![NipperDog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/nipperdog/32/179189_2.png) [@NipperDog](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/NipperDog)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2021, 9:07pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/4744 "2021-03-08T21:07:24Z")
> [@wijber](#): > > Enough about [mqa](http://www.mqa.co.uk/) and back on topic (with [Qobuz](https://www.qobuz.com) delivering the real thing anyways;-) So much fuss over a lossy format. 🤷‍♂️ I’m so glad I switched to Qobuz when it became available here. [Previous page](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116.md?page=233) [Next page](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116.md?page=235)