I am sure you will here a difference with the Melco. I tend to thing CAT7s sound livelier. I did forget I modded my DS transformers. Near same time I got HDPLEX. I highly recommend doing both. I do like to play with the tweaks. It is helpful to listen to live music to suss them out. It has been too long with the pandemic restrictions itching to get back to symphony. I am spoiled now only orchestra seats work well for comparison since most recorded pieces are center miked. I tried balcony box side seats and they were a yawn for audio level but great for visual.
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Stumbled on this thread and here is my 2 cents FWIW.
I have a Matrix with an active Tripp lite USB cable running into it from a Win 10 laptop.
Files acessed from local SSD network drive. OneConvey 8K HDMI Cable to the DS SR. i2S input.
I had a Pardot 7v/2A LPS powering the Matrix.
I now have a Uptone LPS 1.2 powering it at 7V.
Both sounded good, but the Uptone sounds a little better FWIW to me.
BUT (and possibly a relevant disclaimer), the PS Audio DS Sr has the Bridge II pulled out now.
I do think that having it out of the DS SR. box possibly does make a difference.
The Matrix is an interesting piece of gear. It seems to make a meaningful difference.
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Yes indeed.
I tested Matrix with both 5V and 7.5V from HDPLEX 300. In my system, 7.5V makes everything more pronounced. I will give it time for proper assessment of fatigue and harshness.
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Okay, I read through all the comments (some more closely than others) but I don’t think I’ve seen this question. The Matrix manual says it pulls power from the power supply, if connected, but how can I test this, besides trying to hear a sound difference. I have so many wall warts and found one that matches the iFi 5V, 2,5A spec so decided to see if makes a difference for me to warrant spending more money on a super cap LPS. When I plug in the power (Wall Wart) by itself to the Matrix, the light doesn’t turn on or anything. The light only turns on when I connect the USB.
There is no visual sign that an external power supply is being used. Many, many of us are certain quality power supplies make a solid appreciable difference in sound. We all can’t be wrong.
The IFI, while nicely inexpensive, is not likely to make a significant difference and is unlikely to sway you that the power supply upgrade is worthwhile. Its a leap of faith you either have to accept or reject.
My advice to you is to skip to the Sbooster and choose a 9 volt output. If that pleases you then you can perhaps spend the $99 on the upgrade thing they hang off the end of it. I did, I like it. Many others have gone with more expensive options and are pleased with the results.
And then there are the cables…
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A leap of faith is usually free… lol
I had just watched the Sbooster video/ad and it does sound promising. How come you recommended that one over the other ones mentioned like the Small Green Computer, uptone, etc…?
To be sure you are running on an external power supply you may isolate the DC-contacts in the USB plug. It is the the two outer contacts in the type A plug. Or you use a split cable with dedicated lines for power and signal (like this) and only connect the signal line. It is by far my favorite USB cable between Aurender and Matrix.
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For starters, 5V in is out of spec, 6V min is required
The Uptone LPS 1.2 (I own two of them) cost more than the Sbooster (I own two of them as well) and doesn’t perform as well. It doesn’t put out as much juice so when you try to use it on something else it comes up short. The Sbooster is just plain better.
The Small Green Computer power supplies are nice. I own six of them. They are inexpensive and well made. I just have never tried one with a Matrix. (I own two of those as well)
I have also used and am quite impressed with a Keces P8 which is more expensive still but can drive two devices with separate power outputs and voltages. Its a grand piece IMHO.
There are a lot of us who have spent a lot of time and money on the Matrix issue. It’s all here for you to slog through as you wish. I was just trying to give you a quick answer that you might find useful.
The Farad supplies rank very high in this crowd and they usually buy them with extra bells and whistles that get the price well over $1000. They can tell you about that. I did not go that route, I chose a new and absurdly expensive DAC that doesn’t need or benefit from Matrix.
Enjoy your hobby!
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I’m aware it is below the the 6-9V spec in the manual. Thanks
I appreciate the responses! There are definitely a lot of responses, and a lot of recommendations. That Keces P8 sounds great. My headphone amp requires 24V and it looks like they have a 9V12 + 20V/24V option, so this can power my Matrix and my Headphone amp. But maybe I should be looking at a power conditioner or something for my DS DAC. I’ll just read for a bit longer… planning on buying a CDT first. All these cables and power supplies, I’ll just think of it as icing on the cake… and ever increasing expensive cake.
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One thing with 9V is that although 9V sounds best (general consensus), it is a strain on the matrix innards (heat from internal regulator affecting nearby capacitor) 7V is the recommended level if you don’t want to shorten the lifespan of the matrix. By how much it shortens it I don’t know.
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If the LPS and a live USB cable are connected to the Matrix, and the LPS is switched off, the green light on the Matrix disappears for a few seconds before the device recognizes the 5v USB power and lights back up. Anyway, that my experience using a 9v SGC LPS.
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I’ve tried the 5v Sbooster didn’t seem to do anything. Sent it back for the 9v and it made the Matrix sound the best! IMO
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I have run the one in my computer lab 24/7 for years now at 9v.
It does not get warm.
It does not die.
9v is in spec.
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I came across a FARAD 7v for my Matrix and never looked back, after a Teddy Pardo and a Sbooster. I’m actively using 4 FARAD’s. Most interestingly for a phono tube section, but also the external analog power for the DSD, Matrix, and a fanless Roon box…just for good measure. All FARAD’s are powered by PSA regen power. Good nuf for my middle class ass.
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I ended up getting the Triode Wire Labs Split Power & Data USB cable and I don’t have the power leg connected, so my Matrix is definitely running off the 9V power supply now. So far, it sounds good to me, and that’s all that matters =). I also upgraded to the Platinum Silver Starlight 7 cable, thanks to the marketplace here. I know there were other recommendations, but it was hard to wrap my head around even spending this much for cables, so you’ll have to excuse me. Also, I have now locked in an upgrade path. haha
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I went for 2 Hypsos LPS. Fantastic. One for my EtherRegen, one for my Matrix
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I’ve been using the HDPlex 300W LPS in various forms for years. A few months ago my “B” rail died. This rail was powering my Matrix. Technically I was just out of warranty. Larry, the owner of the. Company has a different business model that involves receiving a shipment of LPS’s selling them and starting all over. To repair the rail, I needed a motherboard to be shipped to me. The receipt of which depended on his receipt of motherboards. The process probably took 3 months. He had emailed detailed instructions that made the process straight forward. At first glance, I expected this to be extremely complicated. The components are modular and if you follow a specific order it’s not terribly difficult. The hardest part was finding a non standard hex for the front screws. 1 hour later I’m back in business. Better than shipping a 25 pound device to California from Toronto. I’m listening to Halie Loren and smiling again.
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I got 24-192 working with the Matrix and Chord Dave. Using the Lifatech optical cable. Zero issues.