These are supposed to come out in March at $499: Mercury Streamer - Pi2 Design.
I use a RPI with RoPieee and the PI2 Design PI2AES HAT with I2S HDMI output as a Roon Endpoint in my office setup, and it works very well.
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Very interesting. Easy way to get Roon I2S to the DS DAC.
Thanks @Vmax - I’m sure this option would be a significant step up from what I have at the moment. I am, however, intrigued with what @fdemello had to say in abandoning his USB chain which included the Sonore UR/Farad. Wish it was easy to arrange evaluations and returns, but it isn’t (especially from Australia).
Whichever way I go, I will report back. Happy listening, everyone.
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Well, I have bitten the bullet, @fdemello !! It’s cheaper than my AQ Dragon 48 HDMI cable! It’s all part of this audio addiction. I’ll report back my findings after it’s burned in.
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Congratulations Phil!! Agree. Cheap way to go I2S to your DAC especially when compared to other purchases. I’'m very confident you will like it.
I would used a good Audio specific HDMI cable. Magna will recommend it is not required or use a AQ Pearl 48K for an upgrade but you can squeeze much better performance out with a better cable. I bought the Pearl and did not like it. I am using a Harmonic Technology Magic HDMI $249 (which I may be selling soon) since I just ordered a Revelation Audio Prophecy cable $799. There are others as well.
The UltraRendu AB7050HF tweak is very easy. Take off two end screws for cover plate.
Next cut a small square of bsorber to mount directly behind USB port roof of case above 3 small ICs. Do not cover area above the two can capacitors.
Then a larger piece of absorber square large enough above all the ICs behind HDMI port.
You can trial absorber square placement and sizes on top of cover to get sound right. Before opening the unit and sick pieces on the lid.
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Very interested in hearing any reports you care to make; as I am starting to look around for a tried and true way to convert Ethernet to I2S for feeding my DS Sr. DAC that is demonstrably superior to the Bridge II Ethernet card interface – my preferred method of feeding the 1s and 0s from my iMac to the DAC, system to date.
Regards.
I have actually opened the Matrix to put EMI absorbers directly on the chips “with most legs”.
To open Matrix, just use force to unglue 4 rubber legs to get access to screws. Then there is few more screws to remove the board from case (need to unscrew the connectors from back plate).
I have forgot to take photos after EMI absorbers installation and did not even properly listened for SQ change as i was in rush… But what i am hearing now, about a 2 weeks after i did the tweak I really like. I have recently replaced cheapo LPS I was using for streamer and Matrix USB with Farad, which now allows me to hear more HF details - the original LPS somehow attenuated HF, made it pleasant but lacking air and masking HF deficiencies).
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Thanks for that update. . I do have some epoxy glue around to reattach feet I will try the modification. How much space is internal between the chips and top cover?
After re-assembling, the feets still does stick quite ok, now 2 weeks after, they stick enough for me (in case me/someone else is going to open the Matrix again, the epoxy might be problem if sticks too much)
There is enough clearance for 3M EMI absorbers, it might be something like 5mm of space from top and the same from bottom side. I can remember before I opened Matrix I was worried if it’s case is used as heatsink the absorbers might not fit in, but actually the casing is not protruded towards the chips to act as contact heatsink, so all ok 
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@fdemello - thanks! I have an AQ Dragon 48 HDMI, so that seems to be the “best” on this forum - and it out-performed my RAL HDMI as well in my system.
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All-
Just recently got a Matrix and am very happy with it. My question has to do with the power supply. I have a $35 LPS that i bought at time of purchase. Have been reading in this thread about the Uptone Audio Ultracap LPS-1 for the Matrix. Should I buy this if hoping for better sound quality? Despite being dubious about things like power cords playing into sound quality I have recently upgraded all my cords to better power cords but at same time i yearn for some impulse control when it comes to this stuff…but will shell out the $$$$ if most think the LPS-1 would be worth it to add…thank you
Yes they make a difference. I have not used uptones but four others. Suggest this read.
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I used to use one, when I was on that part of the buying cycle, but to be honest, I would not recommend one now, they seem to go down hill after a while. In my view, unless you buy a real psu like a Farad, I would not use any psu, just drive it off the usb cable.
Edit: some recommend sbooster as a half way house, but I’ve never tried one
I am using 3 sbooster’s and have had good results.
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I don’t us any power supply with the Matrix. My streamer USB output has enough power to run it. Why introduce another variable that is not needed.
You don’t know what you’re missing until you have heard better. If that suits your listening experience and enjoyment. I would not open Pandora’s box. A whole other world exists and it can be invigorating and interesting. Or if your system doesn’t has ability to distinguish different configurations, and your happy then that can be bliss too. No wrong answers if you are happy.
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To answer your question, the object of the exercise is to reduce as much electrical noise as possible. A high quality psu powering the matrix has a lot lower noise floor than the 5v coming from your device down the usb cable
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My usb streamer is a Sonore, which has an LPS built in, and uses optical input for internet. So I ask how would adding another LPS or any power supply help. I asked a few months back in this very forum, does anyone know if I am loosing functionality by powering the Matrix from the USB from the Sonore. Nobody said oh yes you are missing this and that.
Also just finished the upgrade of transformers and LPS for analog side of the DSD. So its not something I am not familiar with and would be willing to try. My logic side of brain just says whats the gain?
I recommend against the Uptone LPS 1.2. In my opinion it is just barely up to task. If money is an issue I reccomend using the Small Green Computer $160 supply. Or spend a bit more and get a 9V Sbooster. Not a 7v or lower.
Experience has proven 9V sounds better and the Sbooster is nicely priced. Others here have spent upwards of a thousand on even better supplies. I recommend against this as the Matrix will be less valuable when the MK2 DSD arrives.
Better still, forget about external power and spend the money on an Inakustik USB cable. Small Green Computer can supply this. And then there is the I2S (HDMI) cable issue. You could better spend money there as well.
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