Matrix Audio Element X Hi-Res Streaming DAC

Matrix Audio Element X Hi-Res Streaming Audio DAC

Our brand-new element series has a simplified visual design removing unnecessary elements. It features simple visual lines with a precision CNC anodizing aluminum case.

We spent more than a year incorporating a quad-core ARM processor (Freescale i.MX6) into Matrix products. Then we developed a high-quality audio system based on Linux. The element series is our first product that transforms into a full-featured audio source with built-in music playback for streaming media over your network or files from a local disk.

The element series runs a powerful audio playback system that supports all the popular formats. Simply connect a USB drive or configure a NAS storage device to browse your music library and enjoy up to 768kHz PCM and 22.4MHz DSD.

We have developed an Android app for the element series so users can browse and play their music from any smart device connected to the same local area network (LAN). We will continue to improve our app with updates and also develop a similar app for iOS users in the near future.

AirPlay & DLNA

Listening to network streaming media has become a normal part of life today. The element series also enables you to play music from your smartphone or other mobile devices via AirPlay & DLNA for convenient wireless streaming.

MQA

MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) is an award-winning British technology that delivers the sound of the original master recording. The master MQA file is fully authenticated and is small enough to stream or download. The element series include MQA technology, which enables you to play back MQA audio files and streams, delivering the sound of the original master recording. Visit How it works for more information.

ES9038PRO/ES9311/Femtosecond Clock

The element X is the series flagship model using the industry leading ESS ES9038PRO D/A converter along with the professional grade ultra-low noise LDO ES9311 and the Crystek CCHD-950 femtosecond clock. By combining our years of development and tuning experience with ESS best chip to date we have achieved the full potential of this hardware.

Brand New USB Interface

With the rapid development and release of high-quality music formats, the processing requirements are also higher than ever before. The element X is equipped with the brand-new XU216 XMOS processor which can easily handle decoding and unfolding of the highest bit rate MQA format.

Hyper-Control

We wanted to eliminate the weaknesses of traditional analog potentiometer based volume controls and digital based volume controls. So we designed a hybrid digital volume control for the element X which uses an array of relays along with the built in DAC chips internal digital volume unit. This enabled us to combine the audio quality advantages of an analog volume control along with the precision of a digital volume control.

Pre-amplifier

When using active speakers, there is no need to add a pre-amplifier since the element X has a built-in very high-quality analog pre-amplifier section that is configurable with up to +10 dB of analog gain.

Full Balanced Headphone Amplifier

The element X is also a dual-mode headphone amplifier based on the LME49600 and consisting of four independent amplifier units. In balanced mode it can drive a pair of balanced headphones or in single-ended mode, it can drive two single-ended pairs of headphones each having its own independent stereo amplifier.

High Performance Power Supply System

Our linear power supply is the foundation of our excellent sound quality. We use a customized Noratel toroidal transformer along with Nichicon audio grade capacitors. The element X also has multiple levels of isolation LDO, with a well-designed four-layer PCB to help reproduce the original sound as accurately as possible by removing interference of the separate internal systems.

Double-shell Structure

Different materials have their own resonant frequency. The element X is designed as double-shell structure. The inner shell uses stamp galvanized steel with multi-strip reinforcing ribs to ensure excellent strength and the external shell is made of 4mm aluminum. The combination of the two metals eliminates the fixed resonant frequency of each material and greatly reduces the negative impact that case resonance can have on the sound quality.

Technical

Digital Input

COAXIAL & OPTICAL:
PCM 16-24Bit /44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz DSD 2.8MHz (DoP)

IIS LVDS:
PCM 16-32Bit /44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz, 705.6kHz, 768kHz
DSD 2.8MHz, 5.6MHz, 11.2MHz (DoP)
DSD 2.8MHz, 5.6 MHz, 11.2 MHz, 22.4MHz, 45MHz (Native)

USB Audio: 
PCM 16-24Bit /44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz, 705.6kHz, 768kHz
DSD 2.8MHz, 5.6MHz, 11.2MHz (DoP)
DSD 2.8MHz, 5.6MHz, 11.2MHz, 22.4MHz (Native)

Line Output

XLR: 
SNR: > -131dB
THD+N: <0.00012%@1k, <0.00025%@20Hz-20kHz
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz ±0.05 -3dB@120kHz
Crosstalk : >-145dB
Output Level: 4.5VRMS@0dB ,15.8VRMS@+10dB

RCA: 

SNR: > -124dB
THD+N: <0.00012%@1k, <0.00025%@20Hz-20kHz
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz ±0.05 -3dB@105kHz
Channel Crosstalk : >-137db
Output Level: 2.3VRMS@0dB , 8VRMS@+10dB

Headphone Output

XLR4 and Dual XLR3: 
SNR: >-117dB
THD+N: <0.00055%@20Hz-20kHz 1VRMS
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz ±0.05 -3dB@50kHz
Output Impedance: <1.5Ω
Output Power: 1700mw@33Ω, 1180mw@300Ω, 650mw@600Ω, 1%THD
Gain: +18dB@Low Gain, +28dB@High Gain

TRS 6.35mm: 
SNR: >-112dB
THD+N: <0.00055%@20Hz-20kHz 1VRMS
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz ±0.1 -3dB@50kHz
Output Impedance: <1.5Ω

Network: 
LAN: 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX
WLAN: 2.4GHz/5GHz, IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac standard
Output Power: 1150mW@33Ω, 308mW@300Ω, 152mW@600Ω, 1%THD

MA.PALYER

Format Supported: 
MP3 , WMA , WAV , AIF, AIFC, AIFF, AAC, FLAC, OGG, APE, ALAC, M4A, DSF, DFF

PCM Sampling rate
PCM 16/24/32Bit 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz, 705.6kHz, 768kHz

DSD Sampling rate
DSD 2.8MHz, 5.6MHz, 11.2MHz, 22.4MHz

USB Storage Device
element X can use the devices which conform to the USB mass storage standard and supports FAT, FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS file formats, but is not guaranteed to be compatible with all storage devices or memory cards.

Power

Power Voltage
230V position is fit for AC220V-240V 50/60Hz 115V position is fit for AC100V-120V 50/60Hz

Stand-by Power Consumption
＜1W

Sleep Power Consumption
＜4W

Max Power Consumption
＜25W

Others

Dimension: 340×281×60mm (L×W×H, including protruding parts)
Weight: 4.2kg

Accessories:
RM3 remote control
Power cable
USB cable
WiFi antenna x2

UK Delivery

• FREE delivery via DPD Local By 12pm on orders to value over £300, including one hour delivery window service 'Predict & Follow My Parcel'.
• Royal Mail Special Delivery By 1pm costs between £5.00 - £10.00 on orders to value under £300, dependent on weight.
• Saturday or Sunday delivery available upon request for supplemental charge.

EU Delivery

• £25 delivery charge 'Flat Fee' via DHL Europe by Road service (3-5 days) which provides comprehensive tracking of shipments online.
• £60 delivery charge 'Flat Fee' via DHL Europe by Air service  (1-2 days) which provides comprehensive tracking of shipments online.

USA & Canada Delivery

• Services based on your order being shipped to the U.S. and Canada are calculated as follows:
  £100 delivery charge 'Flat Fee' via DHL international 'Day Definite' service per parcel.
  Receiver is responsible for the payment of local Duties and Taxes.

Exceptions

• Not all products are available for order into Europe, USA & Canada

WARRANTY

• Full manufacturer's warranty on all new purchases. Standard warranty is typically 2 years with some goods coming with 6 years manufacturer's warranty.
• Goods purchased in UK and EU are covered by the Consumer Contracts Regulations.