Thanks for the tip. I found it. Give me a week and I should be able to absorb its 5733 posts. Obviously a lot of information there for the mining, especially given that people are saying that the Matrix-3 is supposed to be so much better.
If anyone has compared the 2 vs 3 that would be interesting. I have had the 2 for years. …
No need to read all of that. Order a Matrix.
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Great advice from Al - you don’t need to pore over nearly 6000 posts to come to the conclusion that a Matrix DDC will significantly improve your sound by allowing use of a DirectStream Sr’s superior (relative to its USB input) I2S input with USB-based streamers. That point becomes evident quite early.
The next series of questions many of us had (and that represents the majority of the threads discussion) include: “What USB cable should I use to connect to the Matrix?”, “What ‘HDMI cable’ should I use to connect to the Sr.? “What are the differences between A/V HDMI cables and I2S ‘HDMI’ cables? “Should I power the Matrix with an LPS?” “If so, which one?” “What’s the best LPS voltage for powering the Matrix?” “How should I set the Matrix switches for use with a DirectStream Sr.?”
I’ve read the thread and it is both informative and entertaining. Note that answers and recommendations to the previous questions swing like a pendulum as increasing numbers of users weigh in with their experiences so don’t hit the ‘buy it now’ button until you’re comfortable you have the big picture.
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I use a Denafris Hermes DDC and it definitely makes a difference with my DSD MkII. Sound improves significantly.
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Thanks all, it’s definitely clear that it makes a difference vis a vis the USB input. I was more curious about how it compares to the BHC/Coaxial one.
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I don’t recall if the Bridge II input on the DS Sr. DAC is an option for you.
If it is, you might find it to be superior to the USB input on the DS Sr.
I don’t have the Bridge. I use a Hifi Rose RS 250 as my streamer. At the moment it’s connected using a coaxial cable.
For the purposes of narrative closure, here’s what I ended up doing:
The more I read about the Matrix, and the power supply, and the cables, the more I realized that the $449 purchase (yes, the code above still works) was closer to an $800 purchase, and that was buying used, not top of the line, cables. So, instead, I decided to upgrade my coax cable from a Cardas Parsec to a Wireworld Gold Starlight 7 ($275, used) and we’ll just see how that works out. I can always sell the cable and put the money toward the Matrix and its retinue. Thanks for all your help.
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That should work just fine. But sadly, you miss out on a lot of expensive cables and power supplies. Hopefully you are okay with that.
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I know! What am I going to obsess on?
Apparently there are some new guys out east who way too many of my friends are obsessing about. I am ignoring them. (The out east guys, and my friends who prattle on so much about them). I’d much rather listen to me Devo records.
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I had the Matrix 2 and upgraded to the 3. With the DSD MK II, I thought I could sell the Matrix (and the associated cable that cost twice as much as the Matrix itself) and use the USB input, but when I compared USB input (with Cardas Clear Hi-Speed cable) to I2S with the Matrix 3 (Audioquest Dragon HDMI), I thought the sound via the Matrix was a tad more dynamic with better bass, but not a big enough difference to hyperventilate about.
That said, the Cardas USB cable isn’t too shabby, but there are better ones. Also, I’m not using an outboard LPS with the Matrix. So because there are more variables to explore when I get bored, I hung on to the Matrix.
Im just running a Matrix 2 usb to I2S. Right now, AQ carbon usb and hdmi. No LPS. All sounds great. Especially compared to straight usb. Which is probably the Jrs fault.
I have an opportunity to test a super duper top of line usb this week. Ill see how that changes things into matrix or straight to Jr.
Im going to try and compare Aq to Kimber to Super Duper.
The usb into Jr is compromised so not sure how that will play. Will try to get my hands on a better dac and test as well.
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Okay, I’m back. Still looking at DDC converters. Two questions:
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Does the resolution of the files (hi-res v. low-res) make a difference in terms of the impact of a converter like the Matrix 3?
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Has anyone used the Wyred 4 Sound µLINK-2? If so, how is it?
Thanks for your continued patience.
The code still works.
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So, I spent a month comparing the Matrix 3 with the Wyred 4 Sound µLINK-2 and ended up by the latter. You can see my notes here (scroll down).
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Interesting and detailed review/comparison. It is clear that you made great efforts to be as objective as you could. Thank you for contributing this thoughtful and helpful info!
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After 4+ years of feeding 9 volts into my Matrix V2 (24/7/365), I took it out and replaced it with a Matrix V3. I feed it with a 12 volt Farad supply. It seems nice. Ima leave it be. It feeds my DSD Jr. on my computer desk system. None of my other DACs need or have i2s.
Loved your review though!
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Thanks!