I hope I’ve done the right thing. I just bought a Matrix on Audiomart. Just to be clear, and please excuse my ignorance, but the Matrix would fit this way: router-ethernet- Microrendu-USB- Matrix- to DSD via HDMI?
Anyway, I really appreciate all the good advice from everyone.
-John
Welcome to the club, and yes, that’s correct.
Thanks so much! Now I need to configure it. -Should be fun. I’ll report back.
Aloha,
I’d appreciate a summary from a variety of owners of specifically how the Matrix improved SQ.
And how you have the Matrix connected in your chain. Also, if you have a DS or DSJ.
I’ve read the entire thread and get there’s universal praise, no one has said it did nothing or made things worse, But less clear how it sounds better and to what degree.
Mahalo From Maui
I think the improvement depends on how poor the USB source is. I used the Matrix with a plain-jane 2013 era PC running Roon Rock into DS.
It was one of the more significant upgrades per $ I ever made.
My experience was similar to @brett66. The Matrix - in and of itself - brought a consequential improvement to my system. However, its purpose and use must be fully understood as all it may have done in my particular case is correct a deficit in my system, which was the coax IN from my Oppo 205 to my DS Sr.
The Matrix allowed my to circumvent the Oppo and coax connection by taking the USB OUT from my source and convert it to i2S. It is no magic box. What is does, it does extremely well! But, it is simply a means to convert USB to i2S and that is it. So, its splendor very well could merely be its ability to clean up a greater mess when it comes to connecting your components, rather than any “special sauce.”
My implementation of this device is likely different than others’ needs. Furthermore, there is probably a slim chance that other users can offer an “apples to apples” testimonial with this device due to its universal nature and the disparate equipment we all have and choose to configure/connect in unique (and often strange) ways.
I can say with absolutely certainty… If you want/need to convert any USB connection to i2S, then this is your device.
I’m not entirely sure what I need, only that I’m a moth to a flame when it comes to inexpensive tweaks.
I currently go MacBook Pro (w/ external HD and 4 TB of local music) —> Roon/ Tidal —> HQPlayer —> all via USB to a RUR —> Curious Link —> DSJ.
I prefer this arrangement SQ wise to Roon via the Bridge II.
Would the Matrix added between the Curious Link and the DSJ be of help? By help I mean organic, smooth, and full sound. I’m allergic to bright. Because there is no return policy, I’m trying to figure it out before ordering. Matrix is willing to honor the 10% sale price.
Thanks
My Melco N1ZS10 (the former flagship) does a very well job cleaning and reclocking signals before delivering to its dedicated ethernet player- and USB-ports, not quite a ‘poor’ USB source.
With the DSsr/BridgeII combo hooked up from Melco’s ethernet player port with Audioquest Diamond RJ/E as well as Audioquest Diamond USB, slightly preferring the latter, i was a happy camper.
However, bootzilla’s (Melco;-) reports and other reviews left me curious and after reading TS’s post i decided to pull the trigger.
Never thought there was that much to gain profit, cold out of the box the Matrix took the DSsr up to the next level 
My use of the Matrix is more humble than others here but very similar experience as others have noted. The Matrix is currently between an Alienware i7 PC with Shunyata Venom USB cable, and an Audioquest Mocha HDMI to DSD i2S. I compared it to the DSD Bridge to a Sonicorbiter i5 running Roon server with Audioquest Diamond Ethernet. Comparing Roon/Qobuz via Bridge is more digital and bright sounding than with Qobuz desktop app with the Matrix USB. It was instantly noticeable and has stayed that way. So much so, that I find myself using my PC to stream Qobuz and Tidal almost exclusively now than using Roon. I need to find a better way to utilize the USB connectivity. The Reference JCAT USB should be here soon and it would be a shame to use it on a modest PC.
That’s a lot of monthly subscription fees I’m paying now, Roon, Qobuz US, Qobuz UK, AND Tidal. Yikes! Luckily wife does not do finances.
How is Roon via the Bridge compared to Roon via the Matrix?
When I ordered my DSD new I didn’t get the BridgeII. I planned to run USB from my NUC running ROCK directly to the DAC with gadgets to purify the USB, mainly Ifi purifier. I pulled the trigger on the Matrix and now convert to I2S. I’ve found I now listen almost exclusively to DSD downloads. It’s a very simple chain, native DSD to the DAC. It sounds great.
I’ve not heard the Roon through the Matrix yet. I prefer the functionalities of the desktop apps of Qobuz and Tidal. Personally, I’ve not been a huge fan of Roon, though can’t deny the convenience of it, but the overall sound quality has left me a bit wanting.
I agree, Roon doesn’t sound very good. But I like it very much with HQPLAYER.
But it seems for Apple to Apple comparison, it would take testing using the same software with and without the Matrix.
Aloha Ted - what specific sound improvements have you found by adding the Matrix to your system and connecting to the DS/DSJ via I2S?
Mahalo Nui
Just tried 2 different optical cables powered & unpowered and surprisingly it did not work. No idea why!
I use Roon, but never tried HQPLAYER. Where would I find this?
Thanks
I while ago I would’ve agreed upon the statement that Roon doesn’t sound well. However: As a longtime fervent user of Squeezelite V1.8.6-957 (my own build in plain ol’ C) I recently signed up for a lifetime subscription to Roon which now is on V1.6…! It sounds at least as good as the Squeezelite and has almost no footprint on the Qubox (in the Totaldac server). I have dedicated 2 cores to the Roon threads, 1 core to everything else exept USB IRQ’s and 1 core dedicated for USB. It all sounds like a charm. The fact that they now also support Qobuz also helped.
https://www.signalyst.com/consumer.html (There’s a guy on Computer Audiophile who sells a license for about $100 vs the retail of $150. Its all legit, I can put you in touch with him if you’re serious about buying)
HQPlayer can be used as the back end for Roon. Roon handles the library, HQPlayer does the sound. HQP can be intimidating at first, but I’m no software expert and was able to figure it out with forum help. HQP provides endless filter combinations.
The HQPlayer creator is great with sound, not so good with UI. HQP is popular amongst audiophiles (many, not all of course) and there is an ongoing discussion thread on CA that’s years long with literally millions of views.
For me, Roon w/ HQP is significantly better than Roon by itself, Bridge II or not. HQP will not play over the Bridge II. I like the Roon/ HQP combo so much that I’m seriously considering buying a Roon lifetime license because of how well they work together, even though I think Roon is way overpriced. But there’s no library management scheme that comes close.
Check it out. There’s a free trial. And let me know if you have any questions.
I don’t usually answer questions like this: I don’t use my system the way most people do and these days I work off impressions and not usually anything very specific. What I care about is that after listening for a while to my modified system am I listening more or listening less. The Matrix X-SPDIF 2 allows me to use USB from my laptop to test I2S, AES3, S/PDIF and TOSLink inputs (and A/B them) in my DS, DS Jr and TSS prototype. I can do a lot of that with a PWT or DMP, but I find using my laptop to access my music collection easier to use with the Matrix than burning discs… Still the Matrix has an ease that works for me, it nukes a little noise haze that often comes with USB.
Good answer Ted, you stayed on track… Hahaha…