I have finally found audio nirvana. Innuos Server running Roon with Squeeze Box LMS option —-> Matrix with iFi linear power —-> iS2 —-> DS Senior. Remainder of the system: Accustic Arts preamp, Bryston 7B ST monoblocks, Maggie 3.7i. All cabled balanced with Wireworld 7 interconnects and Morton speaker cables. Add a pair of Rel R328 subs. Power is handled by two Torus isolation transformers with amps/pre segregated from sources. I totally recommend the Torus to anyone living in an apartment building. Andrew
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It’s good to hear someone else running isolation transformers ,I have four huge transformers in my system, it’s dead quiet extremely dynamic no problems whatsoever love it. It seems like you are enjoying your system as much as me .
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Are you guys running the transformers in lieu (for want of a better word) of a power regenerator such as a Power Plant?
The two Torus transformers eliminated all the electrical noise and opened up the dynamic range of my amps. It was expensive, but my equipment is now safe and dead quiet.
I am, yes. I use a Bryston BIT20 Power Conditioner/Isolation Transformer. No fancy meters or Internet connectivity, but this bad boy weighs @ 93 pounds.
Hi ,yes I am that is the only form of power conditioning I use other than 20 noise harvesters I always wondered if I was missing something but every time I listen to my system it just sounds so good and I keep reminding myself it ain’t broke don’t fix it you can shove your ear into the tweeter and it’s dead quiet. I don’t think I am missing anything?
Bryston recommends Isolation transformers for their mono blocks. Otherwise they tell you to stick them in the wall. The transformers provide an energy reservoir that is low impedance giving the amps sufficient current at their peak draws. I went with Bryston’s advice. A regenerator would have been a different route.
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Identical to the Torus RM20
You got that right - if you like it - don’t change it. 
My 2 cents on the Matrix X-SPDIF in the context of the DirectStream.
I got the X-SPDIF on a loan from a friend.
Context: I’m using as a source a custom made and heavily tweaked server, where I run Roon + HQPlayer. In the USB chain I have the SoTM tx-USBUltra powered by a linear PSU. USB cables are custom built by the very same friend who built the server and DO NOT carry the 5V from the BUS while the ground is wired to the system common ground.
The DS benefits sonically either from the pre-processing of the HQPlayer and from the SoTM in the USB chain. The sound is good to the point of forgetting about the system and caring only abut the music 
So the Matrix challenge was so see (hear) how it would do replacing the (more expensive) SoTM.
Result: I’ve let the Matrix X-SPDIF settle for a couple of days and I’ve used it with a Wireworld HDMI cable connected to the I2S input of DS. I’ve used the very same linear PSU that I use with the SoTM. Listening, it falls short of the SoTM performance. Less nuanced, with a more diffuse soundstage, less organic. The price difference of the SoTM is, IMO, justified. Please mind that I can hear its benefits comparing to an “untreated” USB connection, but they are not at the same level of SoTM’s …
I’m not sure if the two devices have been previously compared here, so I thought that this could be interesting to some of you 
Cheers!
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The SoTM tx-USBUltra is a USB hub. The Matrix is a DDC.
The SoTM tx-USBUltra was the most overrated USB regenerator I ever listened to.
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I will have to take your word for it. I am not switching.
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I’ve only heard good things about the SoTM - maybe I need to expand my horizons.
@speed-racer: it’s curious that you didn’t like the SoTM … I’ve tried many USB devices and this is the finest one in my opinion and experience. But well … life would be too boring if we all agreed 
To be completely fair, the Matrix is a fine device and I could hear its improvements over an “untreated” USB connection. The thing is that I had a different baseline …
Did you try running the SoTM into the Matrix?
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I run my SOTM-SMS-200 into my Matrix, then into my SGCD via I2S, and it absolutely sounds better than the SOtM by itself.
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Did you try the Matrix with the 9v setting? Pretty big difference IMO.
@bootzilla, that’s a smart suggestion actually. I once lived for a while with the Intona in series with the iFi micro USB. It was not a very elegant solution but, sonically, it was quite good (the improvement was cumulative). I have to return the Matrix tomorrow, so let’s see if I have the time to try it!
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I must check this out, then!
thanks!