For those who have removed the Bridge card, did you have a cover replacement for the slot or leave it open?
Thanks
Shaun
I emailed PS Audio for a replacement cover and they kindly mailed me one for free.
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Great thanks!
You’ll have to ask Brownsf that question…
I never had an LPS on my Matrix. The whole point of the Matrix for me was to have AES3 capability WITHOUT having to plug something else in!! I had an IFI Ipurifier and an Igalvanic first, but of course, it was MUCH more gorgeous sounding when running the power from the Phoenix.
PC > IFI Isilencer > Curious Evolved > Phoenix > Curious Regular > Matrix > Triode Wire Labs AES/EBU > DSD
Flip-Excuse my ignorance. I haven’t paid attention to aes/ebu input…only used usb and iislvds. I’m assuming you can use a standard xlr cable between the matrix and Xlr input on the ds(?) and then select the appropriate ds input. Another thing to try!
I2s from the Matrix to the DS is fine, but I can’t seem to get DSD from the Matrix to the DS using XLR. Is there a way to get DSD with XLR? Most of my music is DSD. Actually PCM music sounds better from I2s than XLR anyway. I tried both, so why bother with XLR when you can use the better I2s interface?
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Hi, good memory! I had forgotten about this one . . .
No, it does need to be a 110 ohm AES3 (AES/EBU). It is a single XLR, but made for digital.
I do prefer the the AES3 sound in my system to I2s and definitely USB.
This is the one I am using now.
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DS Sr goes to DSD64 on AES/EBU. i2s and USB go to DSD128
Same. Thanks PSA!
Flip, Thanks again for all the good advice. I’ve been using the Phoenix with the Matrix unplugged through the iis input on the DS. I still plan to compare the Phoenix without the Matrix using the USB input but it sounds so great right now that I’ve been reluctant to change anything. I also ordered a relatively inexpensive Audioquest AES-Ebu cable to try that configuration. I didn’t want to buy an expensive cable in case I don’t like that setup as well. I also didn’t want to get too cheap a cable figuring it wouldn’t be a very good test so I ordered something in between. It arrives in a week.
Xmas was early this year and I am enjoying my Lumin mini now. After three weeks of burning in it beats all of the above solutions by a wide margin. Soundstage, voices, bass, attack! all improve. I use a coax to the DS, which was better than the usb/matrix solution at the start of burning in. Hope that aes is still better, but I am waiting for cable to arrive. Still use the uptone lps2 for one of the tplink optical ethernet. My conclusion is that you should give the ds a chance to have an optimum input system. Leave the bridge behind and move up!
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I also have LUMIN Mini and hope I can get rid of Matrix, LPS and an IIS cable, so I just tried to disconnect DC power from LPS 1.2 to Matrix, or direct USB to DS Sr, both no good, the sound was 2 dimensional no separation of instrument. I think each system setup is different and very much dependent on what USB and IIS cable you use, upstream Ethernet vs fiber connections. My USB is WW PS and my IIS cable is RAL. I have not tried AES since it can’t handle DSD128., and my SQ is great now.
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To clarify, I do not use the matrix anymore. Use direct coax from lumin mini to ds. Needed 500+ hours to burn in, still improving. Better than any config with matrix.
I have had Lumin for several months now and in my system i like matrix/iis better than direct USB/AES, but it was a cheaper AES cable though.
Glad that worked out for you!
Happy listening!
Hello again Comrades.
Got my Matrix today and have it connected and making sound after pulling my bridge out. I’m using a roon/qobuz combo that also includes a fanless linux box for my roon core. Anyway, looking for some feedback. The light on the Matrix started off green, and I was able to get it to blue by fiddling with roon. I think I’ve potentially mislabled a few things, but here is a quick look at my signal path below. Thanks for the past and any future pointers! I like what I’m hearing.
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I prefer letting the DirectStream convert PCM to DSD over what Roon does. In other words, have Roon send the native PCM or DSD unmolested to the DirectStream.
If you were using HQPlayer I would have a different opinion.
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