Hey all … I know some of you have this unit… and I have yet to see any negative review on it… For those unaware - this is essentially a USB to I2S converter that seems to mate well with the DS. All reports give it a thumbs up… These reports have been in multiple threads - and I was hoping all cou…

Just to confirm matrix have confirmed external 5v psu is outside of spec and may not work. 7-9v is the spec.

As far as the rest of it, when it comes to technical DS things, best to defer to Ted. And you will absolutely have much better sound getting away from iTunes and BitPerfect. After a long journey of trying just about everything Mac based, I settled on Roon with HQPlayer. Granted, it’s pricey ($950…

@dancingsea Thanks for the heads up. I’m still getting into this hobby, but really like it…I started out with ‘DSD Master’, ‘Bitperfect’ and Itunes because they were cheap and easy. I have actually been reading more about Roon and really like what it can offer…that will most likely be my next upg…

I’m a happy Roon user on Mac. I tried HQP, but found no advantage with it - one can make Roon sound slightly different using HQP, but I wouldn’t particularly call it “better”. Ted’s algorithms and filters in the DSD are about as good as it gets, AFAIC.

I find HQPlayer with Roon to easily beat Roon by itself. I use HQPlayer to upsample everything (PCM and DSD) to DSD128. That setup feeds an ultraRendu acting as an NAA which goes to a Matrix SPDIF 2 which feeds the DirectStream via I2S. Ted’s filters are great. HQPlayer’s sound a bit better to me.

Matrix -2/Sonore on hold. Just got the PCM I2S output working on the Green Board (Blue Board is for DSD). [image] Getting Oppo DSD Output to the Direct Stream Dac DACs Looks a little better, Eh nazo2771 ? I wont need to USB ——> I2S since I access all my PC Music Server f…

I’ve been following this thread for a while - now I am stuck in the house so F…it. I just ordered a U1 Mini and Matrix. The plan is U1 -> USB -> Matrix -> I2S -> DSD. I have a CI Audio 7V LPS kicking around so I might as well hook that up to the Matrix. Just hoping I can hear the difference compar…

Congratulations. My setup is identical with the one you‘ll get. Looking forward to learning about your result / conclusion.

Congrats on your purchases (and thanks for supporting the world economy during the current crisis). I would expect the Lumin/Matrix combo to beat the Bridge II by a country mile. Do you have a DS Sr. or DSJ? If the former, for maximum sound quality I recommend removing the Bridge II network card …

By a country mile? Good grief. I love the sound of each setup and my favorite is the one I am listening to at whatever moment.

Matrix X-SPDIF 2

Accessories and Tweaks

rajugsw March 20, 2020, 4:37am 2929

Matrix -2/Sonore on hold. Just got the PCM I2S output working on the Green Board (Blue Board is for DSD).

Topic		Replies	Views
Matrix vs coax w/high end interconnects Cables	86	2143	January 23, 2021
General consensus USB/AES/Coax to DS for best SQ DACs	68	4922	December 8, 2019
New Matrix X-SPDIF-3 Audio Components	41	2607	August 5, 2025
Observations between the Matrix SPDIF 2 and Douk (Nobsound) U2 Pro Network Audio	27	2541	June 2, 2024
Is it really of sonic benefit to put something before usb into DSS? DACs	43	3317	June 11, 2020

Matrix X-SPDIF 2

Related topics