Стримеры — Matrix Audio element M2S

The element M2S from Matrix Audio combines network streaming and digital to analogue conversion in one box and belongs to the second-generation element series. Matrix Audio presents it together with the element M2 on one product page and in one manual, and the difference is on the front panel - the 6.35 mm and 4.4 mm headphone jacks are listed in the manual for the element M2 only.

Key specs that matter

An ESS ES9028PRO chip performs the conversion, clocked by a Crystek CCHD-950 femtosecond oscillator, and an NXP i.MX 6Quad Cortex-A9 processor runs the streaming software. At 4 Vrms the balanced XLR output reaches 128 dB A-weighted SNR, THD+N below 0.00020 percent at 1 kHz and below 0.00022 percent across 20 Hz to 20 kHz, and crosstalk better than -145 dB. The RCA output gives 2 Vrms, 125 dB and below 0.00023 percent across the band. Response is flat within 0.05 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz and 3 dB down at 85 kHz. The case is 280 mm wide, 259 mm deep and 58 mm high and weighs 3.5 kg, with power draw below 50 W.

Engineering and use context

Inputs include coaxial and optical at up to 24 bit and 192 kHz, IIS-LVDS over an HDMI connector at up to 768 kHz and native DSD 22.4 MHz, a USB audio port for computers with identical limits, and HDMI ARC from a television at up to 192 kHz. The IIS-LVDS input can be set to four pin definitions in the app. MQA files are fully decoded. In asynchronous mode the DAC takes its master clock from the internal oscillator and ignores the clock of the source, while the synchronous setting shuts that oscillator down and lets the converter run from the clock of the source. The ARM processor and the audio section sit in separate circuit blocks with their own supplies, linked by optocouplers for electrical isolation, and the audio part runs from a linear supply. A 3.46 inch LCD touch screen shows track data and the active filter, and an RM4 aluminium and plastic remote with two programmable buttons is supplied. The network connection is either a Gigabit wired port or Wi-Fi on the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, and MA Player handles USB drives, NAS shares, Roon Ready and AirPlay 2.

Pairing

The volume knob sets the analogue level unless line output is switched to fixed in the MA Remote App, so the M2S can run straight into power amplifiers or active speakers, or into an integrated amplifier at a fixed level. Trigger connections on 3.5 mm mono plugs send a 12 V DC signal to switch linked equipment, and HDMI CEC lets a television remote control playback.

Alternatives

The Matrix Audio element i2 is the entry-level streamer of the same series, built around an ES9038Q2M converter in a narrower 240 mm chassis.