Matrix Quattro DAC and amp loaner program - Page 7

My impressions of the DAC were through the line outs directly to the BA. I did not really listen to the pair together because I was more curious about each component separately and also because I wanted to be familiar with at least one component in the chain. The setups were as follows:

1. Quattro DAC --balanced--> BA --balanced--> HD800 / LCD3
2. Quattro DAC --SE--> BA --balanced--> HD800 / LCD3
3. Perfectwave DAC --balanced--> Quattro Amp --balanced--> HD800 / LCD

I did however spent two days listening to headphone outs of the DAC (I brought only the DAC on a business trip). The DAC headphone outs did not have any hardness or thin treble. If anything, they lacked definition, resolution, and were a little bit dull. They sounded warm and definitely did not have any hardness or treble thinness.

I hope that helps.

It does, thank you.

Here was my setup:

Matrix Quattro DAC balanced outputs ---> Mattrix Quattro Headphone Amp SE outs ---> HD600's, Beyer dt880, Ety ER-4s

Matrix Quattro DAC unbalanced outputs ---> Audible Illusions Modulus II ---> Perreaux PMF2150B

Yes, tubes are prominently in the path of my front end. 

Speaking of tubes, I would have liked to have heard the Matrix DAC feeding my Project Sunrise tube amp (vs. the Matrix Headphone amp).  That will have to wait for a meet!

Thanks again, Purrin!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Optimus Praim 

Although i am not qualified to participate i would like to thank Project86 for his initiative to loan his gear so as for other people to have a taste of this setup..

I hope that more people will be inspired and follow his 'footsteps'..

Bravo...

x2 on Project86's interest/initiative to advance audio here inside the forum.

Sorry everyone, 

I'm currently in my finals mode, so I don't think I will be able to sit down and listen to the gears until the weekend. =/

Quote:

Originally Posted by purrin 

My impressions of the DAC were through the line outs directly to the BA. I did not really listen to the pair together because I was more curious about each component separately and also because I wanted to be familiar with at least one component in the chain. The setups were as follows:

 

1. Quattro DAC --balanced--> BA --balanced--> HD800 / LCD3
2. Quattro DAC --SE--> BA --balanced--> HD800 / LCD3
3. Perfectwave DAC --balanced--> Quattro Amp --balanced--> HD800 / LCD

 

I did however spent two days listening to headphone outs of the DAC (I brought only the DAC on a business trip). The DAC headphone outs did not have any hardness or thin treble. If anything, they lacked definition, resolution, and were a little bit dull. They sounded warm and definitely did not have any hardness or treble thinness.

 

I hope that helps.

Could that "treble hardness and thinness" come from an imcompatibility of the amp with the Perfectwave?

Regretfully, I am going to have to forgo the opportunity to audition this gear.

Tom W

Me too, boo-hoo.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philharmoniker 

Could that "treble hardness and thinness" come from an imcompatibility of the amp with the Perfectwave?

Given what I know about the output stage of the PWD and that I've tried a lots of different headamps with it, I'm pretty positive it's the amp and not a synergy issue. I've a similar sound before and it was on the Asus Xonar headphone output.

You guys are missing out!  In spite of @purrin bleeding from the ears  this stuff sounds pretty good!! 

I'm missing having a balanced amp in the house now, I hope that this audition hasn't sent me down the road of spending more $$!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom W 

Regretfully, I am going to have to forgo the opportunity to audition this gear.

 

Tom W

Quote:

Originally Posted by livewire 

Me too, boo-hoo.

I'd be interested to see how the new DacMagic plus would stack up with the Benchmark and Matrix.  It seems to have a similar set of inputs and features and now has a internal headphone amp.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shipsupt 

I'd be interested to see how the new DacMagic plus would stack up with the Benchmark and Matrix.  It seems to have a similar set of inputs and features and now has a internal headphone amp.

 

 

Looks like YULONG is going against the trend though. It seems like the new D18 not only has not included an internal amp, but also lacks a USB input. Quite a strange move...

I can only assume there is still a market out there for the non-USB, no internal amp DAC.... In fact, it would be me!    I don't have many sources that I use USB from, and since I own a few amplifiers already I don't really look for my DAC to come jam packed with one...  In my case I'd like all the $$ to be going into the DAC side of things.

That said, there is something to be said for the amount of features these things come loaded with now... and the fact that the headphone amp isn't total crap is impressive, right?

Maybe I should be checking out the D18...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philharmoniker 

Looks like YULONG is going against the trend though. It seems like the new D18 not only has not included an internal amp, but also lacks a USB input. Quite a strange move...