Стримеры — Matrix Audio MS-1

The MS-1 is a network music streamer with built-in DAC from Matrix Audio and the source component of the M series, where it is joined by the MP-1 preamplifier and the MA-1 power amplifier to form the brand's complete top system. It was the company's first product built on an AKM conversion solution, and it also accepts analogue sources including a turntable.

Key specs that matter

Conversion uses dual AK4191 modulators and dual AK4499 DAC chips, with each set running in mono mode for one channel. USB audio accepts PCM from 16 to 24 bit up to 768 kHz, native DSD up to 24.58 MHz and MQA, the coaxial and optical ports are limited to 192 kHz PCM plus DoP DSD, and an IIS-LVDS input handles PCM from 16 to 32 bit up to 768 kHz and native DSD up to 49.15 MHz. The fixed XLR output delivers 5 V RMS at 20 ohm output impedance and reaches 131 dB SNR. All outputs share a THD+N figure below 0.00007 percent, a response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz within 0.05 dB and crosstalk better than -139 dB. The case measures 430 x 353 x 106 mm and weighs 14.6 kg.

Engineering and use context

Matrix Audio places the left and right channel boards on opposite sides of the chassis, making the layout fully dual mono. A DPLL clock synthesis circuit fed by an ultra low phase noise reference produces a clock with jitter as low as 45 fs, and an external 10 MHz reference can be connected through a 50 ohm input accepting sine or square waves. Besides the fixed output there is an adjustable XLR pre-out of 0 to 16 V RMS with 10 dB of gain and the same noise figure, and an RCA pre-out of 0 to 8 V RMS with 16 ohm impedance and 127 dB. Analogue inputs are XLR at 40 kOhm with 118 dB SNR, RCA at 20 kOhm with 110 dB, and a phono stage for MM at 47 kOhm with 45 dB of gain or MC at 100 ohm with 65 dB. An IIS-LVDS output passes the digital signal on at the same resolution as the input. The streamer joins the network by Gigabit Ethernet or by an SFP port for fibre optic cable, which isolates the streamer electrically from the switch.

Pairing

The unit runs Matrix Audio's own Linux based MA Player software and is Roon Ready, with TIDAL, Spotify and Qobuz Connect, AirPlay 2, DLNA/UPnP, vTuner and Radio Paradise. An M.2 2280 NVMe slot holds a local SSD library. Maximum consumption is below 60 W, and each unit is set at the factory for either 100 to 120 V or 220 to 240 V.

Alternatives

The Matrix Audio MS-1c is the entry model among the M series streamers, with a 430 x 315 x 96 mm case, a weight of 6.5 kg and CD ripping through an external USB drive.