Matrix X-SPDIF 2

Accessories and Tweaks
4865

Folks- first post here as I’m not a PS Audio owner, but this thread is definitely the most active one anywhere on the Matrix. I know PSA fans aren’t exactly budget buyers, but wanted to share what I have found accessory-wise…

I recently purchased one to use with my DAC. For LPS, I’m a happy Sbooster owner for my streamer, but did not want to buy another one for a $400 component. I found one made by Aune (xp2) for $109 and figured it’d be worth a shot. Internals looked better than the SGC (a basic ZeroZone) option and I’m not an IFi iPower/iPowerX fan. Waiting on ordering an upgraded fuse, but I am using the stock Sbooster ceramic one for now.

I also made 2 DC cables to try - one with Canare, the other with Gotham, and am burning them in.

For HDMI cable, I have the Neotech 4200 1m (cryo from Audio Sensibility) and I just received a new .5m 24awg OCC cable from RiCable Italy. I’m fairly certain they are the only ones making a true OCC HDMI anymore.

USB cable - I also received the RiCable OCC USB and will be comparing it to my Oyaide Class A OCC USB. Previously, I found the Oyaide to be superior to the Neotech (the Audio Sensibility version).

I’ll report back and add my thoughts after a few weeks. Many thanks for all the info posted previously!

4866

Welcome @funkur! The matrix spdif is a hot thread here for sure! Enjoy the forums and your Matrix!

4867

What did you end up with for power? USB power from Sonore Reference Optical? or a power supply?

Im getting my SRO next week and was going to use a LPS for my matrix. But what are your recommendations on this?

4868

I use Sboosters to power my two matrixes.

4869

9v Sbooster’s Right Al? :+1:t2:

4870

I’m just curious, never having heard of this brand, I was reading Gramophone this morning and there was a fantastic review of their top end product, the Matrix Audio Element X. Their products seem to have garnered great comments. Distributed in the UK by the same chap who distributes PS Audio. Wondering if anyone has used their streamers etc. Their DACs also have an I2S input.

4871

Andrew Everard & Paul Miller rated it well.

4872

Today I wanted to see if I can eliminate the Matrix, Farad, and RAL HDMI from the chain and go directly from server to DS with a premium USB cable . It sounded so good with the Vahalla2 USB cable that I thought it I can just go straight to DS with it.
Nope, no dice. The music is much more live and engaging with the Matrix and associated parts in. It does’t matter how good your server or cable is, this Matrix can still make your system sound even better.

4873

Funny that I’ve tried that too and decided going direct is better for my taste. With the matrix my system sounded a bit too harsh and is just right going direct. Much more musical.

4874

In my system, the Matrix makes the sound more lucid with more clearer three dimensional images. No harshness at all. If anything it is less harsh. I can turn up the music a bit more without irritation. Works fine in my system.

4875

What a hobby :slight_smile:

4876

Yes, I usually am a “simpler is better” kind of guy. But, the I2S inputs of the DirectStream DAC just sound much better than the USB input no matter what I try.

4877

So close…

PWT>AC12 I2s>DS has always been my optimal setup. It still trumps my modest matrix setup Cardas Clear USB>Matrix>AC12 I2s>DS but this is the closest I have ever come to the King. If I poured more money into the Matrix setup I would likely come closer, but not worth it to me going down that rabbit hole

4878

@fallig_leaves what transport are you using directly to DAC (without Matrix) please?

4879

My PC is the source, going through an USB over Ethernet adapter, similar to PS Audio LanRover.

4880

so it is the ETH->USB adapter which is connected to DAC and not the PC itself? What model of adapter are you using? Maybe it has high-end clocks and isolation inside similar to matrix?

4881

Hehe nothing high end here… just this:
https://www.amazon.com/AV-Access-Extender-Operating-Synchronously/dp/B01EV33R8S/ref=sr_1_14?dchild=1&keywords=usb+over+ethernet&qid=1616689434&sr=8-14

It’s basically Computer → USB cable → Adapter → Ethernet cable → Adapter → USB cable → DSD Sr.

My computer is placed far away that’s why I used it. Matrix was doing good until I reconfigured my system recently and added Audio Envy cable, this cable open the system up but introduced a bit of edginess… returning to USB “direct” and skipping the Matrix did the trick for me. I plan to get an Intel NUC to serve as my source later and skip the Ethernet adapter entirely. Don’t like dedicated streamers as I watch a lot of music videos (pleasing both sight and sound senses :smiley: ), so I need a real PC.

4882

Hi guys,

Just want to report a very positive feedback on the RAL i2S HDMI cable, and about Brad itself.

Long-time follower of the Matrix SPDIF topic, with a pretty optimized digital rig: Roon Core (ROCK custom machine) > Curious Evolved USB > Matrix > WW Ultraviolet 7 > DS Dac.

I wanted to upgrade the connection between Matrix and DS, so I have read about all the thrill with the RAL cable but also about the “issues” with Brad, and the purchase process.

Well…

Brad it’s outstanding! Communication, purchase process, ability to customize the cable for my needs, quickness, were absolutely outstanding!

My initial contact with Brad was on 9th March. The cable was shipped on 15th March (after custom build – plugs orientation and length). I received it (one day delay due to exporting issues on U.S.) on 19th March.

Important note, I’m in Portugal.

About the cable itself, replacing the WW Ultraviolet 7, at first notes, it was an obvious upgrade… After 80hours, didn’t notice much more changes. The rollback (just to confirm what I already knew), let me thinking: was I listening to this system before?!

Usually, I’m very conservative describing a change / upgrade, more and more when we are talking about cables. The ones I have more experience and that give the most evident change were power cables.

RAL i2S HDMI cable, between Matrix and DS Dac, in my system, represented the most dramatic (for better) upgrade any signal cable ever made. Period! It’s that good!

Increased resolution, increased instrument texture, time accuracy, and the bass… the bass!!! Everything is more real and “palpable”, with more sense of being with the band on the same physical venue.

I can only highly recommend RAL i2S HDMI cable for the Matrix > DS Dac config, and making business with Brad.

Thanks Brad!

PS: I didn’t compare it to WW Platinum HDMI or similar, as other folks did, and all the testing and observations were based only in my system and experience.

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4883

Not all of us is as fortunate as you with getting this cable. Some has to wait a long time while others gets it almost right away. It’s like the luck of the draw. The RAL HDMI is really a bargain. It is about as good as it comes. That and a really good lps can significantly increase the SQ of the Matrix. I find the Farad Super 3 make a difference almost as much as the RAL HDMI. It is a bit better than the Sbooster I had before. The Farad is also just about as good as it gets for a lps.

4884

Lucky me. :grin:

I agree on the upgrade with a LPS.
I use a Keces P3 for the Matrix (and hopefuly for the DS analogue board, soon).

But I think the RAL improvement was even bigger (in my system).