# 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:** 275
**Author:** ![chris5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f19dbf/32.png) [@chris5](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/chris5)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2022, 8:50pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/5577 "2022-02-21T20:50:19Z")
The problem is the clock signal in the usb cable induces into the 5v line. ---
**Author:** ![brian.fitterman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bbce88/32.png) [@brian.fitterman](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/brian.fitterman)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2022, 9:01pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/5578 "2022-02-21T21:01:12Z")
Not sure I follow. I am not an engineer, but what does that mean? I have to hook up that USB cable no matter what. So how does using the power off that line change when I use an LPS? I may be missing something, but not sure. ---
**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:** [February 21, 2022, 9:09pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/5579 "2022-02-21T21:09:03Z")
The Matrix made a considerable improvement in my system going from USB to I2s in my DS. I have tried various external power supplies from the IFi, Sbooster, and Farad. They all improved the sound making the signal less noise and greater clarity, the Farad being the most resolution of them all. Then I put in the Nordost Valhalla 2 USB and the AQ Dragon 48 HDMI and the sound is simply magical!! Every little thing makes quite a difference. But if you’re happy with just the Matrix, then don’t bother and save your money. Even the power cord powering the Farad LPS made a nice difference in sound, can you believe that? ---
**Author:** ![chris5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f19dbf/32.png) [@chris5](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/chris5)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2022, 9:22pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/5580 "2022-02-21T21:22:17Z")
When you plug in an external psu then the matrix disconnects the 5v supply from the usb cable (which is noisy due to other signal cables running along side the 5v line within the usb cable) any noise passes through the dac into your preamp and power amp, reducing resolution and affecting tonal balance. ---
**Author:** ![brian.fitterman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bbce88/32.png) [@brian.fitterman](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/brian.fitterman)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 12:59am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/5581 "2022-02-22T00:59:35Z")
Interesting point. I have a small green computer LPS. I may try that. ---
**Author:** ![aangen](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/aangen/32/295709_2.png) [@aangen](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/aangen)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 1:46am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/5582 "2022-02-22T01:46:43Z")
Some people get carried away and things get kind of expensive. Ask me how I know. ---
**Author:** ![brian.fitterman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bbce88/32.png) [@brian.fitterman](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/brian.fitterman)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 1:55am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/5583 "2022-02-22T01:55:07Z")
Dont have to ask, I have read many of your posts… you are deep in the rabbit hole with the rest of us. ---
**Author:** ![vkennedy61](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/vkennedy61/32/41241_2.png) [@vkennedy61](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/vkennedy61)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 5:21am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/5584 "2022-02-22T05:21:33Z")
5489 comments since February 2019. I’m gonna guess that the Matrix went from design to production faster with less conversation. My point? None at all. Carry on! ---
**Author:** ![Maniac](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/maniac/32/216_2.png) [@Maniac](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Maniac)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2022, 8:29am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/5585 "2022-02-22T08:29:04Z")
I agree Farad3 is exceptional - i have tried Cheap chinese LPS, Uptone LPS1.2 and Sbooster . Farad is offering best SQ and also is least polluting surrounding components. ---
**Author:** ![timm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8e8cbc/32.png) [@timm](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/timm)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2022, 9:49pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/5586 "2022-02-27T21:49:30Z")
Has anyone had their matrix driver stop working between it and jriver? ---
**Author:** ![tak1313](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@tak1313](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/tak1313)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2022, 3:17pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/5587 "2022-03-16T15:17:09Z")
FYI - the Mercury Streamer (at least according to the manual which is available on the webpage) is reversed from the PS “standard” (I know the term “standard” is pretty non sequitur). ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/psaudio/original/3X/2/8/280e8ea1bb54ec0df0ed1bbbf9c30626a9c67841.png) ---
**Author:** ![brian.fitterman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bbce88/32.png) [@brian.fitterman](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/brian.fitterman)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2022, 5:30pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/5588 "2022-03-16T17:30:43Z")
I had mine stop between Sonore and DS DAC. I had to unplug both at same time even though the streamer read ok from web. it was very strange. but good since. ---
**Author:** ![2muchgear](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/2muchgear/32/94340_2.png) [@2muchgear](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/2muchgear)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2022, 7:55pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/5589 "2022-03-16T19:55:35Z")
I think that is outdated. It is not same layout as [https://www.pi2design.com/uploads/4/8/5/3/48531975/mercury\_streamer\_hw\_reference\_manual\_p8.pdf](https://www.pi2design.com/uploads/4/8/5/3/48531975/mercury_streamer_hw_reference_manual_p8.pdf) ---
**Author:** ![tak1313](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@tak1313](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/tak1313)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2022, 8:43pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/5590 "2022-03-16T20:43:12Z")
That’s interesting. The snip I looked at was from their own page: > **[cm4aes\_hw\_ref\_manual\_p1\_0.pdf](https://www.pi2design.com/uploads/4/8/5/3/48531975/cm4aes_hw_ref_manual_p1_0.pdf)** > > 952.94 KB They apparently have two version of the manual on their website? ---
**Author:** ![2muchgear](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/2muchgear/32/94340_2.png) [@2muchgear](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/2muchgear)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2022, 9:08pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/5591 "2022-03-16T21:08:40Z")
It seems that way, maybe @mkelly6505 can give a definite answer on the Mercury and whether it would switch L/R channels when connect by I2S to a DSD. ---
**Author:** ![mkelly6505](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/mkelly6505/32/33525_2.png) [@mkelly6505](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/mkelly6505)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2022, 9:18pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/5592 "2022-03-16T21:18:38Z")
Mercury underwent several stages of development and has now settled. There is a new Reference manual for mercury (no longer called CM4AES) that has the correct info. And the port does match the ps audio pinout. ---
**Author:** ![les-pako](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/898d66/32.png) [@les-pako](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/les-pako)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2022, 4:23pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/5593 "2022-04-01T16:23:21Z")
I’ve been using the Matrix for a while between my ultraRendu and DS Sr via Roon . I ordinarily have the Matrix out of sight so I don’t watch the LED light on the front. As per Ted Smith suggestion I have the URendu set to deal with DSD via DoP. The matrix switches on the bottom of the unit are all in the off position. When nothing is playing on my system the Matrix lights up green. I now notice that when playing either PCM or DSD the Matrix lights up blue. Shouldn’t the Matrix stay green when playing PCM? Roon shows the source as PCM but the DS input is showing DoP. I’m afraid PCM is being converted to DSD before getting into the DS Sr. Can anyone advise/help me? ---
**Author:** ![WATChad](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/watchad/32/47483_2.png) [@WATChad](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/WATChad)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2022, 4:46pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/5594 "2022-04-01T16:46:43Z")
Mine stays green. What’s your roon signal path look like (supposing roon). ---
**Author:** ![les-pako](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/898d66/32.png) [@les-pako](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/les-pako)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2022, 4:56pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/5595 "2022-04-01T16:56:24Z")
In Roon the source shows up as PCM (see screenshot). ![Screen Shot 2022-04-01 at 12.54.18 PM](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/psaudio/original/3X/0/7/07cb93f88742a0ddf8df5238ebcd6e478c9c9e81.png) ---
**Author:** ![WATChad](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/watchad/32/47483_2.png) [@WATChad](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/WATChad)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2022, 4:59pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116/5596 "2022-04-01T16:59:42Z")
That’s what’s happening, I think. The conversions and modulation don’t need to be there. Signal path “Enhanced” indicates that you’re using DSP. [Previous page](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116.md?page=274) [Next page](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/matrix-x-spdif-2/9116.md?page=276)