Matrix Element S - finally a dedicated streamer from Matrix!

[FiGuY1017]

Sadly, but as a necessity I had to sell my Auralic Aries G2 .1 and have been without a streamer ever since.
I tried streaming from an old iMac and another laptop but that was not great.

Then i found that streaming from an iPad Pro sounded rather clean and significantly improved on imac and laptop. Using roon and direct from qobuz app

Curious if anybody here has compared the matrix element S to something like an iPad Pro and if it is a distinctive improvement

Thanks

Before I bought my ElementS I was using a iPad 2021 via cck it is imo better than or equal to the Wiim Ultra I had so it's definitely no slouch, but it has nothing on the Element S, especially through 1²s. It is one of the best purchases I've made, although it was buggy when I got it, it has since become a joy to use. Getting a PS Audio AirLens incoming so I'll compare it to the S, I'll be shocked if it can match it honestly

 

[project86]

I've also been surprised at how good an iPad can sound when streaming directly to a DAC. Some DACs don't seem to like that as a source, but others are fine with it and it really does sound better than most laptop/desktop PC solutions out there.

That said I agree the Element S is on another level. Obviously depends on your system though, and there may be other areas where the money would be better spent. If you've got most of that taken care of though, then the Element S should be a nice upgrade over an iPad.

@FiGuY1017 I look forward to hearing your thoughts about the Air Lens. Interesting piece of hardware. I've had mixed experiences with PS Audio ranging from disappointing to amazing so I never know what to expect with each new thing they release.

 

[FiGuY1017]

I've also been surprised at how good an iPad can sound when streaming directly to a DAC. Some DACs don't seem to like that as a source, but others are fine with it and it really does sound better than most laptop/desktop PC solutions out there.

That said I agree the Element S is on another level. Obviously depends on your system though, and there may be other areas where the money would be better spent. If you've got most of that taken care of though, then the Element S should be a nice upgrade over an iPad.

@FiGuY1017 I look forward to hearing your thoughts about the Air Lens. Interesting piece of hardware. I've had mixed experiences with PS Audio ranging from disappointing to amazing so I never know what to expect with each new thing they release.

This Stellar Gold was my first product from them and have to say, it's amazing imo

I have heard mixed opinions on the Airlens but got a almost brand new unit for 600.00 so with that offer, I had to take a chance on it

 

[project86]

$600 seems like a no brainer purchase, can't really go wrong for that price.

 

[JMR77]

Matrix just launched a new streamer (TT-1) above the Element S:

https://www.matrix-digi.com/product/115/TT-1

 

[loaizaprat]

Matrix just launched a new streamer (TT-1) above the Element S:

https://www.matrix-digi.com/product/115/TT-1

HiFi Rose-like screen looks awesome. Is it just the Element S with a bigger screen?

 

[thecrow]

Matrix just launched a new streamer (TT-1) above the Element S:

https://www.matrix-digi.com/product/115/TT-1

and the NT-1

Edit: just realised that’s a higher tier

 

[thecrow]

Though i had the tt-1 in my sights (ie saving up for) i just picked up the element s as the price was too good to not roll the dice with this streamer (here in Australia with addicted to audio)

Will be able to run it through its paces with tidal, qobuz and aiff library with the matrix app, roon and audirvana (once all setup).

First but of hardware i can remember adding to my setup in the last 18 months or so so hoping for a sound quality boost / bump

 

[thecrow]

My first night experience (using MA app) showed:

Wifi connection seemed solid (which is a great benefit) though the firmware update could only be done by ethernet cable as did not work via wifi.

Initially i could not get the streamer to play though to my holo may dac. It was showing it could see the dac but would fail when trying to play.
Dac also displayed that it was receiving dsd 1024 files (or something like that), which it wasn’t. Then i unplugged the dac at the element s side and plugged it back in and all was good. Not sure what had happened there.

Immediate response is it does not sound as good as the aries 2.1 that i used to own (2.5x times the rrp). That had a great tone in its musical presentation.

I'm thinking clarity / detail is definitely a bit better than playing straight from ipad pro.

Harsh sounding recordings still sound harsh when being fed through matrix element s.

Very early days so getting to know it.

(Had a couple of worrying moments, as mentioned above but all came good)

Anyone that can comment on sound of wifi v wlan connection?
And if burn in is a factor?

Cheers.

 

[KTpG]

I've had good luck with the wifi connection, which is my only option in my audio room as the router is a long way down the hall. For me, the app says that every firmware update has failed, but the screen on the unit says update complete and the app recognizes the new firmware after I close the popup on the Element screen.

I was using a custom PC running Daphile before this and felt the sound quality was similar, if not a bit better with the Element, though I don't use my main system very often any more so it is hard to make meaningful comparisons.

 

[thecrow]

Is there a trick or setting to not having this streamer’s display turning off? It appears to take less than 30 seconds to do so.

I have even turned off auto sleep in settings and that doesn’t help

To elaborate, this is when streaming from qobuz. If selecting a new song to play then display illuminates, starts playing then dims again