Are my ears broken!!!!

I'd say you need to try it with a better source. It may be that the Matrix is just showing up defects in your iPod's output more than the cheaper amp. I think it's pretty common for less good source components to favour amplifiers that are less transparent and don't show up all their faults. If they don't sound any different then I still don't think that means you wasted your cash, because it doesn't mean they won't sound different when fed with a proper hi-fi source.Also try setting the gain at 10db (jumpers), I think the Matrix sounds a lot better with more gain.

Edited by AlfBaxter - 9/9/10 at 7:27pm

You may need more time to accustom yourself to the sound. I have great difficulty determining the difference when A/B'ing, even when the equipment involved is many levels apart in quality. For example: my old MS1s versus an extremely cheap pair of Sony headphones, or my D7000s versus the M50s.

 

I thought my ears were broken too at first, but then found out that it's just easier for me if I take time out (maybe several hours or even days) and listen exclusively to one. Then when I switch to the other, the difference is very noticeable.

Word here from someone who started out just like you did (and who still considers himself a noob in some ways): GOING UP the ladder never seems to make as big a difference as when you go CLIMB DOWN.

 

Switching to new gear, I always always double guess myself on the purchase. I then take some time listening exclusively to the new unit, and when I step back down (and by down I do not necessarily mean the $$$ spent, get that out of your head because it is dangerous!), I realize that I wasn't hearing some things before (kinda like you don't know what you've got till it's gone).

Yep, a lot of good equipment sounds unremarkable at first. Surprisingly, it is often a good sign. When something isn't making mistakes or is deliberately colored (you'd be surprised at how much gear is) then it doesn't sound like much at first listen. It's when you go back to something worse that its mistakes begin to stand out. Give it some more time.

Another factor is level matching. Unless you carefully level match, the louder item always sounds better. It's another human brain trick.

 

Just shows that in the real world there is very little between SS amps.

 

If you want a different (notice I did not say better) sound then change DAC's.

u should definitely  let it burn in for at least a couple days, 
that will help little,

 

personally i think the matrix  can bea  bit boring for music with no gain, it punches more and gives the appearance  of a thicker sound when the gain is implemented.    i have done a lot of a/b with matrix.    i really love the features on matrix(having 2 inputs is now a must and the separate gain for each channel is very welcomed not only for its sonic improvement imo, but for the fact u can take it easy on one ear or the other.

it is very neutral but i thought that my vinyl sounded better on hdp and lisaIII even when the gain was  implemented and bass was not implemented on lisa.

although test were done with a 2m hero from hdp as dac, but i have a/b 1m and 2m hero cable and heard no difference. 

      i just cant seem to get over the matrix  2 input features,  using  a second digital reciever/dac   i feed  up to 3 sources into the matrix input 1 and then the hdp with its 3 sources  usb (computer), toslink(hdmi 2 lcd 2  toslink 2 hdp), and analog(technic1200)  all into matrix input 2.

     i then can switch sources super easy with matrix,   but  best i can listen to Dvr or tt and play xbox and switch between with a flick of the matrix front panel switch. 

   so i am quite smitten with multiple inputs, sucks 2 because  now after having owned matrix i keep passing up awesome amps because they only have one input:(

and i would serioulsy like to read a lehman/matrix a/b???  but then again dangit the lehman has only one input, but still has the L/R gain

 

just to add i always wanted to try that pa2v2

Edited by RockinCannoisseur - 9/10/10 at 10:59am