That’s very unusual. The Matrix should help noise and jitter reduction and make cleaner and clearer sound. If your system is on the bright side already, the Matrix can augment that effect. Have you tried a warmer sounding HDMI cable? The RAL cable might not work for you since it is also more on the clear and brighter side. The good news is If the RAL cable doesn’t sound good for you, you can easily resell this cable as a lot of people would love not having to wait for this cable.
Tekton DIs with silk dome tweeters, BHk250 and BHK PRE. Cerious Cables. Nothing here really screams bright.
Oh yes, I bet I can sell the Matrix and RAL combo and get back basically the retail value. But I’m still optimistic, perhaps with a better LPS things will improve?
My only other thought is that the Sonore Signature Rendu SE is THAT good where there isn’t much jitter at all.
You have an outstanding system. The rest of your system is definitely not the problem. Maybe the better LPS and RAL cable will make your system all come together and blow you away. The Sonore Signature Rendu SE is what @aangen uses. Maybe he can shed some light on that component.
Update on my experiments with USB cables. The main contender is the Shunyata Omega, which easily beats the Sigma (and it should, given the price difference).
I am currently auditioning a Jorma reference. Jorma is the sister company of Marten, the Swedish loudspeakers. So far I prefer the Shunyata.
I am still waiting for the Chord Sarum T and ChordMusic.
With Covid and Brexit, crossing the channel seems to take forever.
Hmmm, patient, I must remain, if musical nirvana I want to reach .
Just added the LPS-1.2 into my Matrix - DS DAC - headphone system earlier today. Wow what an unexpected improvement in sound quality! Years ago I had an Iso-Regen and LPS-1 with my speaker system. While I “thought” I could hear an improvement with the Iso-Regen, I could never discern a sound difference using the LPS-1 or the stock wall wart. But the LPS-1.2 into the Matrix has really transformed the sound to the upside. Using the WWPS (1M) HDMI for a couple days now, the sound is definitely cleaner with a bit more extension at the extremes without any high-end graininess. The LPS-1.2 has added weight to the music but has not decreased the clarity. In fact, it may have polished the notes a bit. The bottom end has really improved too. I don’t know the technical reasons why, but I am enjoying it immensely.
My analogy to describe the changes I have heard is this. Imagine a page of the conductor’s score from a complex symphonic passage, maybe a full orchestra allegro movement of Wagner’s. Originally what I was hearing was equivalent to that page of many individual notes looking like a high-quality, hand-scribed copy in black ink (seemed great to me at the time!). Add the Matrix and I now see a 300 dpi printout on 20 lb / 92 brightness printer paper – much better compared to the original. Add the WWPS HDMI and it changes to a 600 dpi printout on 24 lb / 96 brightness paper. Noticeably better! Finally, with the LPS-2.1, its 1200 dpi on 28 lb / 100 brightness photo-quality paper. Itchy-Owee what a beautiful presentation. Irrational exuberance? Maybe. But I’ve gone from being Happy (H) with the sound to being H^3. Thanks for all your helpful guidance and suggestions.
I could not find any comments in regard to keeping an LPS-1.2 on all the time. I am wondering if your experience is that it sounds best always powered on and warmed up. Or if powering it on/off daily would be better to maximize component life. I currently have my LPS-1.2 positioned on its side and it is quite warm to the touch but nowhere near what I would consider hot. The temperature appears to remain constant whether I am listening to music or not. Thanks.
Powering it on and off will probably shorten it’s life instead. It’s like a light bulb. When you shock it with a sudden surge of current by turning it on and off, it doesn’t last as long as if you just leave it on all the time.
I always leave my two Farad’s on all the time. One is 7v which is cool to the touch and the other is 9v which is slightly warm to the touch. They are meant to be on all the time with no power switches. When they fail, it’s time to upgrade anyway. Always looking for something better. Bad habit.
Went ahead and got the Hypsos for the Matrix. I Figured it would help me choose the best voltage. So far so good. Will see what exact V the matrix likes.
Hi guys, can you point me the best configuration to assemble a NUC/ROCK/TIDAL MQA to connect a Matrix interface I2S to the DS SR?
Should I keep the bridge II card to full MQA files from Tidal?
Can I use Matrix with a NUC/Linux ?
How do I configure Matrix to match the I2S of DS Sr.?
Can I use the IfI 5V power supply to connect to the mini USB of Matrix.
I want to use a NUC with external HDs and ROCK/TIDAL MQA as a source to DS Sr.
I want to avoid using a notebook/Mac Mini or similar
Today my brother came over to do a couple of cable shootouts.
(1) Audience FrontRow USB cable vs Nordost Valhalla2 USB cable from streamer to Matrix.
(2) SR Galileo SE power cord vs Tara Labs Colbalt power cord powering the power amp.
With the USB cables, It wasn’t much of a shootout since the differences was so apparent and obvious. The Valhalla2 is easily in another league. The resolution and transparency is much better than the FrontRow. Only in comparison though, since by no means is the FrontRow dull or veil sounding. In fact the FrontRow outperforms the WW Platinum USB.
The power cables were closer but the Galileo still gives you more detail, texture, and upper frequency air and sound space than the Cobalt.
We did compare both of these premium power cords with a lesser Acoustic Zen Gargantua II and the Acoustic Zen sounded leaner and more veil. Also the Zen is not a veil or lean sounding cable either but only in comparison. I find most of the time, the more expensive cables do indeed perform better than lower line ones, unfortunate for my pocket book.
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