Matrix Quattro DAC: Unboxing and initial impressions - Page 2

Quote:

Originally Posted by arnolfini 

Since this unit looks outside and very much inside close to a Benchmark dac1 pre, do you think Project86 that you will be able to compare it to a Benchmark during the course of your review?

Quote:

Originally Posted by khaos974 

The internals greatly look like the internals of the Benchmark DAC1

No wonder the deja vu when I first saw the internals.

Yes please, Project86, do compare it to the Benchmarks and see how we get on.

BTW, thanks for the review. Interesting new format too, although if I were you, I would put in a few "blank" posts pending updates as you progress through the rest of the review. Beats reading (and filtering) through the rest of the comments (not that the comments are no good, but they disrupt the "flow" of the article, IMO).

I don't understand "most" of the china products. It is quite funny, first Matrix looks like Bel Canto and this like Benchmark (was mention). I couldn't buy something from China. Cool imitations and nothing made properly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by knopi 

I don't understand "most" of the china products. It is quite funny, first Matrix looks like Bel Canto and this like Benchmark (was mention). I couldn't buy something from China. Cool imitations and nothing made properly.

The funny thing about Chinese products is that most Western marques actually turn to them to supply their mid-range to lower end products. (i.e. Western make goes to a Chinese OEM, commissions them to rebadge one of their existing products, brings back and mass-markets the item as their own.) It definitely sounds off putting, but that's the way the business goes (esp. for low to mid-range products).

Meaning to say, the Chinese themselves have already been doing this for a long time, actually. And they *probably* know very well what they are doing.

Although I must say, though. For the money, I was actually expecting a fully discreet circuit architecture and not something that uses op-amps. But let's see if the sound is going to be worth the price tag it commands.

Interesting piece of equipment, my wallet will suffer this year...

Quote:

Originally Posted by knopi 

I don't understand "most" of the china products. It is quite funny, first Matrix looks like Bel Canto and this like Benchmark (was mention). I couldn't buy something from China. Cool imitations and nothing made properly.

How many way can you design a rectangular face with a knob, some switches, ports and indicators? Eventually they all look similar, just like you typical four door sedan.

Many things are build to a price; you can't expect the same quality for 1/3 the price, but some are not far behind. Hiring a designer to come up with a new look adds cost.

I like the looks of the Matrix Quattros better than the Benchmarks.

I do prefer the Quattro's look over the benchmarks as well, though they are pretty similar. 

Only remains to see if it actually can sound as good. 

My Quattro Dac is only a few days away.

Great to hear project86. 

I did a leap of faith when placing my order, and if it sounds better than the Yulong, then it seems I made the right decision.

Can't wait until I can order the AMP and run the 650s in balanced. 

Is the asynchronous upsampling defeatable?

Is the USB input asynchronous?  Thanks.

Got the DAC earlier today, so far I am pretty impressed. Still needs some burn in though. 

One negative thing so far is that the background is not completely black on low impedance headphones. It seems there is some noisewhen volume is getting half way.

Actually, slash that. Just as I were writing this the background turned completely black. Only some tiny noise on full volume. 

I'll update my impression once it's been running for a few more hours. 

Good to hear that. Your cables will be shipped early next week. Enjoy~
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoqi 

Got the DAC earlier today, so far I am pretty impressed. Still needs some burn in though. 

One negative thing so far is that the background is not completely black on low impedance headphones. It seems there is some noisewhen volume is getting half way.

 

Actually, slash that. Just as I were writing this the background turned completely black. Only some tiny noise on full volume. 

 

I'll update my impression once it's been running for a few more hours. 

 

 

 

I have well over 200 hours on my Quattro dac now, and it has continued to improve and impress.

The onboard headamp using K702 is digging very deep into the music and portraying nuance and intimacy, there’s no shortage of grunt and dynamic swing either where most amp’s (save for Burson 160D) simply don’t drive them to their full potential, the Quattro is allowing my K702 to go really low but with control, clarity and deft articulation.

It’s funny how (once properly run-in and paired with a suitable amp) the AKG's transform from thin wince inducing cans to ones with the finest (IME) cranium crunching bass - where it exists in the source material. I am delighted with this combo.