Matrix Quattro DAC Impressions (Balanced Outputs)
For a SE output impressions clicky here.
My personal preferences and expectations for DACs:
- Good tonal balance
- Smooth treble
- Wide apparent bandwidth - extended bass and treble
- Unadulterated peaks and attacks
- Ability to resolve low level information
- Clarity
I expect “cheap” DACs to do at least 1 and 2, and maybe a little bit of 3,4, and 6.
The kind of DACs I don’t like:
DACs that claim to sound “analog” or “organic” which are in fact really dark, rolled-off, or have blunted transients. These “analog” sounding claims are used to trick people who have never heard vinyl before, whereas the real problem is with the sound engineers of today who are deaf or beholden to artists who listen via the speakers on their iPhones. (I do have a modest TT setup BTW.)
As a rule: generally the longer I stay listening to something, the more I like it. I had to struggle to keep listening. It basically was over for me after 2 ½ tracks.
Test Setup:
PC - > USB (Matrix Quattro)
Balanced output -> Eddie Current Balancing Act (7N7 NU tall bottle, EML300B solid plate)
Mogami XLR Cables
HD800 (Anax Modded)
Stock HD800 headphone cable terminated into 4 Pin XLR balanced
Reference Setup:
Same as above with the following exceptions:
PC -> Ethernet crossover cable
Bridge -> PS Audio PerfectWave DAC
Other Things You Should Know:
Let’s say people don’t send me free stuff and I scare a lot of manufacturers.
Stuff doesn’t impress me easily. I already have really good stuff where the components have been selected and set up to play with each other well. I can be overly critical, but that doesn't necessarily mean that if I don’t like something I wouldn't recommend it for someone I knew with a limited budget. My belief is all stuff is flawed and that criticisms (if warranted) are the only way for people to get meaningful information.
Finally, I will tend to exaggerate differences, especially with DACs.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This is definitely not my kind of DAC. It is a forgiving sounding DAC. Live music can hurt sometimes. Snare drums snap. Trumpets blare. Bass drums hit. Wind instruments bite. This DAC cannot reproduce these exciting aspects of live performance. The DAC also sounds somewhat flat. Bass is extremely slow and muffled. When the music gets complex, the DAC falls apart.
Major weaknesses:
- SLOW - Peaks of attacks seem like they are behind in time - and they never reach where they should. Some smearing.
- MUDDY BASS - Bass is muddy and smeared. The DAC can manage to sound dark and thin at the same time.
- LACKS MACRO DYNAMICS - Inner dynamics is OK sort of though (see below)
- FLAT - Somewhat lacks ability to convey instant dynamic contrast
- LACKS RESOLUTION - Rather poor in this area. It misses a lot!
- NO TREBLE EXTENSION - No air.
Minor weaknesses:
- TREBLE SLIGHTLY HARSH WITH GLARE - Still not too bad. Not the most relaxed. I’ve heard much worse.
- SLIGHTLY RECESSED MIDRANGE - Tends to be buried behind muddy bass and sharp treble.
- LACKING LOWEST OCTAVE / BASS EXTENSION - or at least I can't get a sense of it because the bass is so muddy. EDIT: it is missing.
Impressions With Each Track Listened To (direct from my notes):
Soundgarden - Fell on Black Days
- Don’t know how this grunge track could sound so unexciting.
- This is dull - it’s killing my system
- Turning up the volume - it’s still putting me to sleep
Sarah McLachlan - World on Fire
- No “blackground” - everything is really grey
Talking Heads - This Must Be the Place
- Damn - where’s the drive with the bass line on the intro?
- Where’s the attack for the snare and pluck on the bass string?
- Oh gawd - David Bryne sounds like he’s on ‘ludes
- All those wierd synth effects have no pop.
- Screw this - going to another track
Mozart Requiem (AAM Hogwood / Kirkby) - Dies Irae
- WTF is wrong with this DAC - oh c’mon!
- How could one of the most dramatic parts of this recording sound so... I mean the choir is supposed to be singing about Judgement Day. I guess Judgement Day isn’t so bad.
Mozart Requiem (AAM Hogwood / Kirkby) - Tuba Mirum
- Soloists making me sleepy.
- Next track please
Madonna - Lucky Star
- Decent bass volume. Slightly bloated (for a DAC). Slow
- Recessed midrange works for Madonna’s voice.
Madonna - Into the Groove
- Notes, sounds, and effects sort of blending into each other.
- Flat
Nirvana - All Apologies (MFSL)
- This a highly dynamic track with well recorded drums that hit hard and some really grating guitar. This MFSL recording is even slightly bright. F this. F this. THIS IS BS
K.D. Lang - Helpless
- Lots of spacial cues, air, and information in this track. I heard none of them.
- K.D. Lang’s voice sounds surprisingly thin, wierd.
K.D. Lang - Case of You
- This track sounds OK. Better resolution. Maybe the DAC needs to warm up for something. Maybe I’m getting tired. Maybe I don’t care anymore.
Beethoven #6 (Norrington) - 1st Movement
- This is supposed to be a really dynamic and sweet recording - what I’m hearing is nonsense.
- Instruments like winds have no bite. Violins sound wrong.
- Ouch no dynamics. ZERO dynamics.
<OFF>
<OK ONE MORE>
Vegas - Busy Child
- This sounded pretty good - it’s not a demanding recording though. Just some bass and effects, all poorly produced. The DAC manages this track well.
Questions and Answers:
Q: Aren’t you being a bit too critical?
A: Yes.
Q: Dude. What is your problem?
A: My problem is that something like that AMB Gamma 2, a DIY DAC that can sometimes be found in the FS section for $250 can do 1,2,3,4 and 6 (but not 5) of those preferences I listed above.
Q: It's not fair that you compared this DAC with a $2000+ reference
A: Indeed, it's not fair.
Q: WTH? Can’t you recommend something that is reasonably priced?
A: I just did at the very top of the Q&A. Also the Schiit Bifrost from my quick listen at a meet seems to be pretty good for the money. I can’t say for certain. Maybe if someone can convince Schitt to lend me a Bifrost to review, I could confirm.
Q: Don’t you think you need to listen to the DAC longer to make a proper evaluation?
A: I would, but listening to it causes me discomfort. I have listened to it for bits at a time for three days now. UPDATE: Actually I forced myself to go back and forth a bit with my reference after I wrote the above to confirm. I've got another week for so and maybe I will come back to it. Or maybe I will force myself to get used to its sound. I would have no problem if my opinion changed in a week and had to eat my words.
Feel free to ask me any more questions or clarify my impressions.
Edited by purrin - 11/13/11 at 5:08pm
I'd love to hear a build by Mister X. I know he does fine work.
