I currently own this and a Chord Qutest. I used to own an RME ADI-2 FS v2. This is one of the smoothest SABRE 9038Q2M DACs I have heard. It sounds a lot more like an AKM or BB based DAC. It's very good and both it and the RME trade blows with the Qutest. EDIT: I use the Fast Linear and Slow Linear and Apodizing filters exclusively.
There are other case scenarios but ROON. Actually I found it because it does something very specific I need in my setup and that has to do with that one analog input. Gonna use it to hook up a phono pre amp phono apart from the usual. Pc>usb (not just ROON, any audio to headphones for instance) and cd>coax. Just works as a dac/pre-amp/headphone amp.. that's a lot!! There are other dac/pre-amps out there, but without that one analog input which makes my vinyl accessible.. and a bug volume knob.. (and for later the balanced output to the active crossover and the unbalanced output to my stax, it just has all I need)
I've made some of my worst decisions with Jameson, so I should probably go with coffee today. Nice review, nothing that fits my spectrum, but it is always great to hear about other things out there. I always thought Major Bludd was just a cheap plug on Cobra's part to give the illusion of international diversity. Bad guys have to come from Australia too, right? He had about as much screen time as Dr. Mindbender, and always seemed to get schooled by the Joes.
I just ordered a mini i (the pro 2015 model with the ES9016 Ultra DAC chip). This version was the same as the first but had different DAC chips. Only $520 back then (I paid $230) too compared to $850 for the new ones. It was a bargain second hand. Hoping it will beat my Topping DX3 Pro+
Randy, $500 is a conservative figure for a balanced DAC. But I think $200 is way low for a quality desktop headphone amp. Also did I see an I2S input on the back? That plus Roon makes it a reasonable value. So I think $850 shipped out the door would be fair. I am very into Roon. I think Roon is one of the most valuable things an audiophile can have. It is awesome for music discovery and enjoyment.
Actually the one I had is $1025. I was trying to be conservative with my comparisons to show the value. Like I said, if someone is into Roon and needs a headphone amp this is a high value product.
Great review for a great device - I love mine! I use it as both a headphone amp and a preamp for my desk stereo system. I can also definitively day I've never had issues with the WiFi on mine, so I'm wondering if yours is defective?
Scott, my office where I do most of my testing is on the edge of my wifi and I've had to use the travel routers before to get a better signal for whatever reason. I'm sure it would have worked if I was closer to my main routers. Probably should have mentioned it in the review. I got it to connect to my wifi, I just never got it to show up in Roon over wifi.
Sadly, from what I read, the analog input does get digitized. I only use it as a Roon endpoint streamer and send balanced out to my preamp. Sounds fantastic.
I am using Airplay as a wireless "streamer". I open whatever music app I want on my phone, and then just swipe up and airplay to any Airplay device. Is there a downside of using Airplay as that seems like a very capable way of streaming without having to use a dedicated app? For example, I have a Marantz 1711, thanks to you :) and I don't even bother with the HEOS app, as I just use the AirPlay feature in whatever app I choose to stream to. Am I better off doing it another way. The simplicity is just so easy with AirPLay and it seems very high quality (a step above Bluetooth probably as it can do hi-res audio, and Bluetooth cannot.
There are a few limitations with airplay when it comes to bit and sample rates. If you are enjoying it then stick with what works. Airplay is still better than Bluetooth in most cases so keep on keeping on.
@@cheapaudioman What are the limitations? Are there any reasons I should use the HEOS app or a dedicated streamer instead of AirPlay? I just find it so easy to open whatever music app I want and then send via airplay 2, bypassing any other app.
Sounds like you're paying a lot for features with this matrix mini. Maybe a better value would be to purchase a good DAC and Slap a raspberry pie onto it to use Roon.
and a pre-amp if you play vinyl and a separate display if you like seeing album art, bit rate etc. I own this and actually feel it represents a really good value for my needs and preferences. It’s a very “tidy” solution for me and this review is spot on in the sense that’s it’s price/value ratio will largely depend on anyone’s use case scenario.
Love the recent streamer reviews you've been doing. Can you please recommend a GREAT streamer that I would be using ONLY as a streamer to a separate DAC. The Aurylic s50 Pro, the Andover Songbird you just did? I have about a $200 budget. Thank you soo much brother!
Good day Randy. Is there a way you can one day explain in some detail how to use a DAC with DSD, aptx and other codec. I have a la audio ds600 and it has all these codec but I'm clueless because I read other reviews and people say you lose feature using toslink or you don't get the high bandwidth with USB or different things happen if you use Bluetooth connect. I also just got the small streamer you reviewed and I would like to know the place way to connect it to the DS600. Thanks in advance.
Your DAC, like many other budget and non-budget DAC's are simply doing DSD over PCM (DoP). While there's nothing wrong with doing this (works only over USB BTW). It's essentially a wrapper kinda like DTS-HD-MA. Where DTS takes a PCM stream of data and wraps it in their proprietary DTS encoding, DoP takes the DSD stream and wraps it inside a PCM stream thus fooling your DAC into thinking it's PCM but the chip inside your DAC takes that "PCM" stream and decodes it's DSD and then the chip does it's thing and sends it out the Analog outputs. DSD Gurugee Ted Smith has an excellent explanation on this and I2S DSD playback (the real deal IMHO). ua-cam.com/video/5a4RVaAVqOQ/v-deo.html A killer budget setup is this DAC Randy reviewed plus a Sony UBP-X800 and the HDMI Video to I2S HDMI Audio adapters from China. (www.ebay.com/i/393230022301?rt=nc&_trkparms=www.ebay.com/itm/393230022301?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D20160908110712%26meid%3D79ba5c0fbc7d46138fc9223a00f168e7%26pid%3D100677%26rk%3D8%26rkt%3D30%26sd%3D392894431556%26itm%3D393230022301%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2386202%26algv%3DDefaultOrganic%26brand%3DUnbranded&_trksid=p2386202.c100677.m4598)
I have been using a MATRIX Mini-i Pro bought in 2014. Have worked well, although some of the LED segments have failed. Seriously considered upgrading to the Mini-i Pro 3, 4th Gen. But was disappointed to note that: 1. LAN and WiFi does not with PC or Android. Only with iPhone, iPad or macOS computer over AirPlay. 2. No direct connection to HD or SSD So I am looking elsewhere.
There are people who don't use Roon ? Why, Randy, why ? Roon is great. It's like a cult. Once you try it you will never want to leave. In fact you're probably not allowed to and that's fine by me. It reminds me of a line by The National: "I dreamt of you for 25 years before I met you". Roon. The audiophiles dream. And I'm only kidding a bit.
Does anyone know what actually is a Roon Endpoint? It’s brought up a lot so it must be pretty important. Are there others non-Roon endpoints? Is “Endpoint” a Roon branded component and other components can emulate them and therefore become sort of a Roon Endpoint clone? I’ve tried searching the web and UA-cam for “What is a Roon Endpoint” and get nothing. I tried searching for “What is an endpoint” and mostly got comments on program coding. Any ideas?
So there is roon ready and roon tested. Roon tested means that roon can be used over airplay and is much less desirable. Roon ready means that the signal is passed natively and therefore MQA decoding can take place if the internal DAC supports it on the device. Roon ready is synonymous with being an end point.
I stated in the video that the price of the I3 Pro is $850. The pro version is actually $1025 and the I3 is $850. Sorry if there was any confusion.
Price jumped up markedly from just 6 months ago on both versions. I wonder if that's happening across other brands as well?
Thanks Randy I enjoyed the review. I like seeing what is available out there even if those things don't fit what I need. Keep them coming.
could not agree more!
I currently own this and a Chord Qutest. I used to own an RME ADI-2 FS v2. This is one of the smoothest SABRE 9038Q2M DACs I have heard. It sounds a lot more like an AKM or BB based DAC. It's very good and both it and the RME trade blows with the Qutest. EDIT: I use the Fast Linear and Slow Linear and Apodizing filters exclusively.
Glad you like it. I've had mine a few months now. Being Roon Ready (and pretty artwork) were my main selling points.
I really for a kick out of the artwork showing up. Made me feel fancy
Finally a Matrix Audio review =)
Thank you. So much new info out there for us older folks(me, not you) to wade through. It helps.
Love your channel. You have helped me navigate the audio world quite a few times!
Thanks. Appreciate that.
Love getting the whole cow. It is so nice not having to run down to the store
There are other case scenarios but ROON. Actually I found it because it does something very specific I need in my setup and that has to do with that one analog input. Gonna use it to hook up a phono pre amp phono apart from the usual. Pc>usb (not just ROON, any audio to headphones for instance) and cd>coax. Just works as a dac/pre-amp/headphone amp.. that's a lot!! There are other dac/pre-amps out there, but without that one analog input which makes my vinyl accessible.. and a bug volume knob.. (and for later the balanced output to the active crossover and the unbalanced output to my stax, it just has all I need)
I've made some of my worst decisions with Jameson, so I should probably go with coffee today. Nice review, nothing that fits my spectrum, but it is always great to hear about other things out there. I always thought Major Bludd was just a cheap plug on Cobra's part to give the illusion of international diversity. Bad guys have to come from Australia too, right? He had about as much screen time as Dr. Mindbender, and always seemed to get schooled by the Joes.
I just ordered a mini i (the pro 2015 model with the ES9016 Ultra DAC chip). This version was the same as the first but had different DAC chips. Only $520 back then (I paid $230) too compared to $850 for the new ones. It was a bargain second hand. Hoping it will beat my Topping DX3 Pro+
The hardware inside this thing is insanely good for the price
Also, Firefly was always overshadowed by Storm Shadow (no pun intended).
Randy, $500 is a conservative figure for a balanced DAC. But I think $200 is way low for a quality desktop headphone amp. Also did I see an I2S input on the back? That plus Roon makes it a reasonable value. So I think $850 shipped out the door would be fair. I am very into Roon. I think Roon is one of the most valuable things an audiophile can have. It is awesome for music discovery and enjoyment.
Actually the one I had is $1025. I was trying to be conservative with my comparisons to show the value. Like I said, if someone is into Roon and needs a headphone amp this is a high value product.
I see you still have wifi issues 😀 it's a roon endpoint. Works great with my opticalrendu
Great review for a great device - I love mine! I use it as both a headphone amp and a preamp for my desk stereo system. I can also definitively day I've never had issues with the WiFi on mine, so I'm wondering if yours is defective?
Scott, my office where I do most of my testing is on the edge of my wifi and I've had to use the travel routers before to get a better signal for whatever reason. I'm sure it would have worked if I was closer to my main routers. Probably should have mentioned it in the review. I got it to connect to my wifi, I just never got it to show up in Roon over wifi.
Do you know if it digitises the RCA input? Good video Randy 🏴🙏
Sadly, from what I read, the analog input does get digitized. I only use it as a Roon endpoint streamer and send balanced out to my preamp. Sounds fantastic.
Fy RANDY. You should revisit the klpch660m at that 403 price point. And... I got the rb61ii on yo Rico, do you think the 600m is worth the up grade
?
Great review and interesting product.
Also glad I convinced my kids to get a cow 🐄 for the backyard instead of a dog 🐕.
Hi, can i stream apple lossless 24/196 through thr AirPlay?
Wish I had some Jameson on hand to wash down that price tag.
I am using Airplay as a wireless "streamer". I open whatever music app I want on my phone, and then just swipe up and airplay to any Airplay device. Is there a downside of using Airplay as that seems like a very capable way of streaming without having to use a dedicated app? For example, I have a Marantz 1711, thanks to you :) and I don't even bother with the HEOS app, as I just use the AirPlay feature in whatever app I choose to stream to. Am I better off doing it another way. The simplicity is just so easy with AirPLay and it seems very high quality (a step above Bluetooth probably as it can do hi-res audio, and Bluetooth cannot.
There are a few limitations with airplay when it comes to bit and sample rates. If you are enjoying it then stick with what works. Airplay is still better than Bluetooth in most cases so keep on keeping on.
@@cheapaudioman What are the limitations? Are there any reasons I should use the HEOS app or a dedicated streamer instead of AirPlay? I just find it so easy to open whatever music app I want and then send via airplay 2, bypassing any other app.
@@DJJASProductions It supports lossless, but only at 44,1(or 48 KHz) @ 24bit. It downsamples files to that resolution.
@@sazianasazi1182 well it (AirPlay) seems to sound a tab better than Bluetooth, but pretty hard to tell the differences.
Sounds like you're paying a lot for features with this matrix mini. Maybe a better value would be to purchase a good DAC and Slap a raspberry pie onto it to use Roon.
and a pre-amp if you play vinyl and a separate display if you like seeing album art, bit rate etc. I own this and actually feel it represents a really good value for my needs and preferences. It’s a very “tidy” solution for me and this review is spot on in the sense that’s it’s price/value ratio will largely depend on anyone’s use case scenario.
Love the recent streamer reviews you've been doing. Can you please recommend a GREAT streamer that I would be using ONLY as a streamer to a separate DAC. The Aurylic s50 Pro, the Andover Songbird you just did? I have about a $200 budget. Thank you soo much brother!
Those are the two I’d recommend
@@cheapaudioman which one has the better software? sounds better? pic one for me brother!!!!! haha!
@@ramondelgado6778 ha. Their software is built on the same platform. I’d get the songbird if it were me because it handles Amazon hd.
@@cheapaudioman I like the way you went through using the software on you own phone. Fantastic tutorial! Thank you again.
Good day Randy. Is there a way you can one day explain in some detail how to use a DAC with DSD, aptx and other codec. I have a la audio ds600 and it has all these codec but I'm clueless because I read other reviews and people say you lose feature using toslink or you don't get the high bandwidth with USB or different things happen if you use Bluetooth connect. I also just got the small streamer you reviewed and I would like to know the place way to connect it to the DS600. Thanks in advance.
Your DAC, like many other budget and non-budget DAC's are simply doing DSD over PCM (DoP). While there's nothing wrong with doing this (works only over USB BTW). It's essentially a wrapper kinda like DTS-HD-MA. Where DTS takes a PCM stream of data and wraps it in their proprietary DTS encoding, DoP takes the DSD stream and wraps it inside a PCM stream thus fooling your DAC into thinking it's PCM but the chip inside your DAC takes that "PCM" stream and decodes it's DSD and then the chip does it's thing and sends it out the Analog outputs.
DSD Gurugee Ted Smith has an excellent explanation on this and I2S DSD playback (the real deal IMHO). ua-cam.com/video/5a4RVaAVqOQ/v-deo.html
A killer budget setup is this DAC Randy reviewed plus a Sony UBP-X800 and the HDMI Video to I2S HDMI Audio adapters from China.
(www.ebay.com/i/393230022301?rt=nc&_trkparms=www.ebay.com/itm/393230022301?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D20160908110712%26meid%3D79ba5c0fbc7d46138fc9223a00f168e7%26pid%3D100677%26rk%3D8%26rkt%3D30%26sd%3D392894431556%26itm%3D393230022301%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2386202%26algv%3DDefaultOrganic%26brand%3DUnbranded&_trksid=p2386202.c100677.m4598)
@@joeygsaudiochannel3972 thanks for that summary and the links, should be helpful in my understanding of all this good stuff.
@@edgardorivera617 Your welcome.
While a beautiful combination, Jameson and the Murphy’s have probably caused me more trouble than good. 😂
What was he referring to? (And, yes, I googled it 😒)
@@greenbeginner9221 I actually have no idea. I assumed he was referring to a good night he had in the navy. Now I’m curious.
Irish rock music and Irish whiskey. Nothing good comes from this combination, unless you like the inside of a jail cell.
I have been using a MATRIX Mini-i Pro bought in 2014.
Have worked well, although some of the LED segments have failed.
Seriously considered upgrading to the Mini-i Pro 3, 4th Gen.
But was disappointed to note that:
1. LAN and WiFi does not with PC or Android. Only with iPhone, iPad or macOS computer over AirPlay.
2. No direct connection to HD or SSD
So I am looking elsewhere.
What is Jamison and Murphies?
Nice dac but I wish could afford it
There are people who don't use Roon ? Why, Randy, why ? Roon is great. It's like a cult. Once you try it you will never want to leave. In fact you're probably not allowed to and that's fine by me. It reminds me of a line by The National:
"I dreamt of you for 25 years before I met you".
Roon. The audiophiles dream.
And I'm only kidding a bit.
Ok it's a DAC mostly... But it LOOKS like a Streamer.
Can i use this for bno mk4?
Does anyone know what actually is a Roon Endpoint? It’s brought up a lot so it must be pretty important. Are there others non-Roon endpoints? Is “Endpoint” a Roon branded component and other components can emulate them and therefore become sort of a Roon Endpoint clone? I’ve tried searching the web and UA-cam for “What is a Roon Endpoint” and get nothing. I tried searching for “What is an endpoint” and mostly got comments on program coding. Any ideas?
So there is roon ready and roon tested. Roon tested means that roon can be used over airplay and is much less desirable. Roon ready means that the signal is passed natively and therefore MQA decoding can take place if the internal DAC supports it on the device. Roon ready is synonymous with being an end point.
8 hundred and 50 clams; sweet tidy bowl Jesus skipping on the blue, blue water...
Basically, it's too expensive.
$855.00 ouch
pretty outrageous price ... not cheap by any means ... it costs as much as a good receiver.
850 USD for MQA scam... :-) no thank you. And tbh the front looks cheap, thought it´s about 100 USD-ish. You can get alot for 850. And far better.
That beast cost 1025$ not 800$. 800$ is non pro version.
Hello
Looks like Topping DX7 Pro.
$855.00 aint mini