Matrix M-Stage amp review: simple, cheap, and excellent.

[Guess?]

 
Quote:

So does anyone have the usb version with the dac? How does it sound compared to the standard m-stage? How is the Dac?
 
I'm interested in this dac/amp for my d5000's.

The AMP part is the same as the old version. One can switch between inputs (USB, RCA) via the front switch. About the USB DAC we're waiting for some reviews from several guys that have already bought the unit.

 

[SleazyC]

So I got around to playing with my Matrix m-stage last night and am loving the sound I am getting out of it. 
 
I brought it to work with me today and am noticing a buzzing coming from the amp when I have no source plugged into it. I'm at the lowest gain setting and have some UM3x's plugged into it but I don't recall hearing this buzzing last night when I was first playing around with it. 
 
EDIT -- Apparently its much more pronounced on Input 1 but I can still hear a faint buzz on Input 2. The buzzing noise does not seem to be tied to the volume setting on the amp. Could it be the plug going into the wall? Yesterday I had the amp plugged into a UPS at home but I just tried plugging into a UPS here at work (looks to be of lesser quality) and I am getting the buzzing as well.

 

[alphaphoenix]

I just picked this up from the post office this morning after standing in line for over half hour since signature is required for delivery.  I purchased this directly online from Tam Audio, which I highly recommend.  I ordered on Nov 26, and it was shipped yesterday, Dec 7, which is pretty fast shipping from China via EMS.  The details of my order includes the opamp upgrade to OPA627AP and the usb DAC.  Also, I've owned a m-stage v2 at the beginning of the year and it was sold along with my D7000 for reasons well known here on this site. 
 
Not surprisingly it was shipped without double boxed, but as you can see, it's well protected.  It comes with the powercord, a manual in Chinese and English, as well as a thank you card in Chinese.  I was pleasantly surprised that the stock opamp was included as I've had other purchases where stock equipment was excluded on customized orders. 
 
As you can see from the image below, the USB functionality is identified as Input 2, RCA as input 1, and of course the standard RCA output.  The input is controlled by the switch on the amp face.  The amp has been burned in for only 30 minutes and the gain is set to 10db.  My gear setup is the following: Thinkpad X220 notebook-->FLAC files-->Grado RS2, Atrio MG7, and UE triple.fi10.  I'm using a cheap USB cable, but have a so-called "audiophile" grade USB cable, as well as a wider diameter pot knob coming soon.  I'm not going to go into an elaborate detail on how the amp performs as this functionality is well shared even with the chosen opamp. On all three, there's zero hiss and silent background, and most importantly sound really great to my ears, especially with the dynamics (RS2, mg7). 
 
I think the $30 for the USB functionality is well worth the cost.  My only benchmark was to sound a hell a lot better over the stand alone X220, which it does very nicely.  Keep in my mind, my intended application doesn't require a portable DAC/amp as I use my Samsung Galaxy S /w Voodoo for my on the go setup.  Two inputs with one being USB and the other connected to a SACD works well for my setup needs.  I'm happy with my purchase. 
 
Unless someone else beats me to it, I'll crack open the chassis for display, but it'll be a few weeks at best before that happens. 
 
 
 
 

 

 

[EraserXIV]

You'll be happy with the knob upgrade
Yes, sound is important, but functionality and ease of use is just as important as well

 

[Digital-Pride]

A question for all the M-stagers out there.  How well does it pair with the HD650?  I recent acquired a pair and I'm working on formulating a plan of upgrades over my current Fiio E7/E9 setup.  From everything I've read, the M-stage looks promising.  My only concern is the HD650 sounding too bass heavy and warm through the M-stage.  Any expertise from you guys(and gals) would be greatly appreciated.

 
Alpaphoenix, those are some nice pictures you've got there!

 

[GreatDane]

With my new M-Stage I'm getting a static/scratchy sound that comes and goes and varies in loudness. Also while trying to figure out what's going on, while removing the top of the case I notice that if I tap on the case it makes an audible mid frequency thud into my monitors.
 
Anyone have a clue?

 

[chetlanin]

Quote:

With my new M-Stage I'm getting a static/scratchy sound that comes and goes and varies in loudness. Also while trying to figure out what's going on, while removing the top of the case I notice that if I tap on the case it makes an audible mid frequency thud into my monitors.
 
Anyone have a clue?

 
Sounds strange. Can it be caused by bad grounding/contact somewhere? Begin with tightening the nut on the bolt through the transformer, several people (including me) have resolved problems by doing that. Olaf
 

 

[GreatDane]

Quote:

 
Sounds strange. Can it be caused by bad grounding/contact somewhere? Begin with tightening the nut on the bolt through the transformer, several people (including me) have resolved problems by doing that. Olaf
 

Thanks. I did read about checking the bolt for the transformer. The bolt is very tight so that doesn't seem to be the problem. A grounding issue did cross my mind but I wouldn't know how to figure that out...besides trying a new power cable??
 
I decided to leave the upper half of the case off as that seems to help. Tomorrow I'll try a new power cord and put the case back on.
 

 

[chetlanin]

Quote:

So I got around to playing with my Matrix m-stage last night and am loving the sound I am getting out of it. 
 
I brought it to work with me today and am noticing a buzzing coming from the amp when I have no source plugged into it. I'm at the lowest gain setting and have some UM3x's plugged into it but I don't recall hearing this buzzing last night when I was first playing around with it. 
 
EDIT -- Apparently its much more pronounced on Input 1 but I can still hear a faint buzz on Input 2. The buzzing noise does not seem to be tied to the volume setting on the amp. Could it be the plug going into the wall? Yesterday I had the amp plugged into a UPS at home but I just tried plugging into a UPS here at work (looks to be of lesser quality) and I am getting the buzzing as well.

If you are able to exclude causes outside the amp: Buzz is often caused/induced by oscillation in high frequency range. If so, it will probably change i character if you move your finger over the components around the op amp (touch ground with another finger to begin with). Theoretically it may come from the regulator chips also, but more unlikely. Just my initial thoughts. Olaf
 

 

[dogwan]

Received my sample ADA4627-1BRZ's today from Analog Devices. Wow that was fast shipping for freebies. I haven't even had time to order the adapter from BrownDog yet. Looking forward to trying these OpAmps out and comparing to the LME49720HA I'm currently in love with.
 
-Dogwan
 

 

[SleazyC]

Quote:

If you are able to exclude causes outside the amp: Buzz is often caused/induced by oscillation in high frequency range. If so, it will probably change i character if you move your finger over the components around the op amp (touch ground with another finger to begin with). Theoretically it may come from the regulator chips also, but more unlikely. Just my initial thoughts. Olaf
 

Thanks for the suggestion. I probably won't have time to play around with the amp until Sunday but I will try to tighten the screw on the bottom as well as popping it open and seeing if I can pinpoint where the buzzing could be coming from. Regarding grounding, could I possibly use an antistatic wristrap I have used for putting together computers by clipping it to metal on the case of the amp?
 

 

[chetlanin]

Quote:

Thanks for the suggestion. I probably won't have time to play around with the amp until Sunday but I will try to tighten the screw on the bottom as well as popping it open and seeing if I can pinpoint where the buzzing could be coming from. Regarding grounding, could I possibly use an antistatic wristrap I have used for putting together computers by clipping it to metal on the case of the amp?
 

Good idea! 

 

[Chris J]

Quote:

So I got around to playing with my Matrix m-stage last night and am loving the sound I am getting out of it. 
 
I brought it to work with me today and am noticing a buzzing coming from the amp when I have no source plugged into it. I'm at the lowest gain setting and have some UM3x's plugged into it but I don't recall hearing this buzzing last night when I was first playing around with it. 
 
EDIT -- Apparently its much more pronounced on Input 1 but I can still hear a faint buzz on Input 2. The buzzing noise does not seem to be tied to the volume setting on the amp. Could it be the plug going into the wall? Yesterday I had the amp plugged into a UPS at home but I just tried plugging into a UPS here at work (looks to be of lesser quality) and I am getting the buzzing as well.

Have tried plugging it straight into the wall at work, i.e. not plugging into the UPS?
Could the Matrix be sitting on another piece of equipment with a large transformer in it? This could cause the hum.
Does it still hum with a source connected to it?
 
 
 

 

[PelPix]

Poke a hole in a piece of note card and put it around the headphone plug to shield current that may be accidentally flowing into the case from reaching the headphones.
Solved the problem completely for me.  Turns out current was going into the case for some reason and entering the headphones through the metal rim of the plug.

 

[HaVoC-28]

 
Quote:

A question for all the M-stagers out there.  How well does it pair with the HD650?  I recent acquired a pair and I'm working on formulating a plan of upgrades over my current Fiio E7/E9 setup.  From everything I've read, the M-stage looks promising.  My only concern is the HD650 sounding too bass heavy and warm through the M-stage.  Any expertise from you guys(and gals) would be greatly appreciated.

 
Alpaphoenix, those are some nice pictures you've got there!

M-Stage and HD650 works very well together , and if you find that HD650 could be a bit too warm or bass heavy just pick the right opamp ^^ . (something like AD797BRZ )