Matrix X-SPDIF 2

[eldrick]

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.

[speed-racer]

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.

[aangen]

I too am happy.

[rajugsw]

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

Getting Oppo DSD Output to the Direct Stream Dac

Looks a little better, Eh nazo2771 ? I wont need to USB ——> I2S since I access all my PC Music Server files PCM via my Sony Ethernet connected UBP-X1000ES. The DSD files are on USB memory sticks plugged into both my Sony AVR & Sony Transport and are accessible via DLNA (Ethernet). As you mentioned. The Blue Boards I2S Out is DSD only and the Green Boards I2S Out is for PCM only. Coax S/PDIF still need for 5.1 PCM files. [image] [image] [image]

[Fifteeninch]

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 compared to the Bridge II when using Roon.

[Philipp_Schaefer]

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

[bootzilla]

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 from the DAC.

[aangen]

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.

[FirstCircle]

Congrats.
Make sure you go through the LUMIN app and switch off unused digital outputs etc. Likewise, the Matrix sounds best with only one output used at a time. I2S sounds best but you might be surprised at the quality of the AES output from the Matrix.

[bootzilla]

@aangen

By a country mile? Good grief.

What can I say, I am not a Bridge II fan (the mere act of removing the Bridge II from my former DS was a sonic revelation).

Al, as a guy who posts about hearing material sonic differences between various HDMI / USB cables, I am surprised you would not expect there to be a meaningful sonic improvement going from a Bridge II to a Lumin/Matrix combo. No need for you and I to argue about it, though. Let’s wait and see what @Fifteeninch thinks after he gets his new gear.

[Fifteeninch]

Thanks for the tips (remove Bridge II & turn off unused U1 ports).

Have anyone swapped out the U1 mini switching power supply with the Sbooster?

The Lumin should arrive next week, the Matrix the week after. I will report back once everything is hooked up.

[RobH]

What?

No “Welcome to the Club?”

These are tough times, man, c’mon!

[mr-ryan-eickmeyer]

Welcome to the club!!

[bootzilla]

I know, but since I am no longer a Matrix Club member, I do not think it would be right for me to welcome anyone.

In case you missed it:

AURALiC Aries G1 Anyone?

True, I was an early member of the PS Audio Forum’s Matrix Owners Club. But, as Groucho Marx wrote in his letter of resignation to the Friars’ Club, "I don’t want to belong to any club that would accept me as one of its members.” In all seriousness, the Matrix is tremendous and I found it to be essential for getting the most out of the DS Sr. DAC in my system. But with my plan to sell the DS Sr., the Matrix and UpTone PSU became expendable. I wanted them to go to someone who would put…

Okay, last one, for old times’ sake . . . @Fifteeninch:

[mr-ryan-eickmeyer]

@bootzilla

Wait, you sold your DS Sr??

What did you buy to replace it?

[bootzilla]

AURALiC Aries G1 Anyone?

I bought an AURALiC Aries G2 to pair with my DirectStream Sr. DAC and liked it and the AURALiC Lightning DS iPad app so much that I picked up a AURALiC Vega G2 DAC to go with the Aries G2. I sold my Matrix X-SPDIF 2 and UpTone UltraCap LPS-1.2 recently, and I plan to list my DS Sr. for sale at some point soon. I greatly enjoyed the DS Sr./Matrix/UpTone combo, but I wanted to try something different. And that is how I think of the Vega G2 DAC – not better or worse than the DirectStream Sr., b…

[rajugsw]

When I traded in my SGCD for the DS Sr., I asked NOT to have the bridge installed since I use my Sony UBP-X1000ES to access my DSD files/SACD’s via USB ports/Disc Tray on both my Sony’s (AVR & Universal “Transport”). As I I’ve described already, the “Transport” now has I2S via the “hot mess” of Boards attached to the “Audio Only” HDMI Out of the UBP.

PCM is handled by my Ethernet connected HTPC and is accessible by my Sony UBP via DLNA (Windows Media). It works and sounds great.

[eldrick]

You will be amazed at how much hash and distortion you have been listening to. I went from Bridge with Roon and now the Matrix, and it’s a whole new dimension of realistic sound.

[hpfish]

I have the U1 mini USB to DS sr, SQ is fantastic, but just ordered the Matrix to see if SQ can be further improved or not.

[aangen]

@eldrick

You will be amazed at how much hash and distortion you have been listening to. I went from Bridge with Roon and now the Matrix, and it’s a whole new dimension of realistic sound.

My only point is yes, my preference is for the Matrix/I2S route, yes. But beating the bridge2 by a country mile and whole new dimension of realistic sound, I just don’t hear it. Better, yes, worth the money, yes. Could any of us identify the two in a double blind test reliably? Probably. But I believe you guys are overstating it. In my humble aw shucks opinion. Be aware that I have this setup on two system in my home. Maybe it’s me. Maybe the Bridge 2 has altered my consciousness in a silly way. Like CDs vs LPs. The LP still wins the battle, but digital is oh so very close.