Стримеры — Matrix Audio element M2

The element M2 is a second-generation music streamer, which Matrix Audio calls the most compact full-featured stand-alone source in its range. It plays local files or online services, accepts external digital sources and can drive headphones directly or connect to active speakers or power amplifiers. An 88 mm LCD touch screen with playback keys shows track information during network and local playback.

Key specs that matter

An ESS ES9028PRO DAC is paired with a Crystek CCHD-950 femtosecond oscillator, and processing runs on an NXP i.MX 6Quad Cortex-A9. Inputs are coaxial, optical, IIS-LVDS, USB Audio and HDMI ARC, with USB taking PCM up to 768 kHz, native DSD to 22.4 MHz and MQA. The XLR line output gives 4 V RMS with an A-weighted 128 dB SNR and distortion plus noise below 0.00020% at 1 kHz, and the RCA output 2 V RMS with 125 dB. Line response is flat within 0.05 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz and 3 dB down at 85 kHz. The 4.4 mm balanced headphone output is rated at 1800 mW into 33 ohm and 540 mW into 600 ohm, the 6.35 mm jack at 1200 mW into 33 ohm, both with +18 dB gain. The case measures 280 x 259 x 58 mm and weighs 3.5 kg, drawing under 50 W.

Engineering and use context

The headphone amplifier uses a four-channel fully balanced architecture with a symmetrical circuit for left and right. The digital audio circuitry and the ARM CPU are powered separately and built as distinct circuit units linked by optocouplers for full electrical isolation, while the audio circuitry has its own linear supply. In Async mode the onboard oscillator acts as master and the DAC ignores the source clock, and Sync mode switches that oscillator off to follow the front-end device. The HDMI ARC input carries TV or projector audio at up to 192 kHz, and with HDMI CEC the display can control playback. Library sources include USB drives and NAS, plus Spotify, TIDAL, Qobuz, HIGHRESAUDIO and internet radio, with Roon Ready, Spotify Connect, AirPlay 2, DLNA/UPnP, QPlay and Audirvana for streaming from other devices. Gigabit Ethernet and dual-band 2.4/5 GHz Wi-Fi handle networking.

Pairing

Trigger in and a 12 V trigger out let the element M2 switch an amplifier together with itself. The RM4 remote adds transport keys and two buttons that can be assigned through the MA Remote app, and a USB port provides up to 5 V/1 A for storage drives.

Alternatives

Matrix Audio's element X2 is another music streamer in the same element series.