[Pariah1]

 
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Just wanted to pop in here and say hi to everyone. Thanks for all the positive feedback and comments! I'm glad people are enjoying this amp as much as I am. Lately my new Fournier HTA-1 hybrid amp has been stealing a lot of listening time from the M-Stage, but the Matrix is still overall the more versatile amp. I can't imagine going without either of them really.
 
I recently tried a solid state amp (which will remain nameless, don't want to be rude) that cost nearly twice what the Matrix sells for, and was not impressed at all. The Matrix was easily superior in just about every category except possibly aesthetics and brand appeal.
 
 
I've only heard the Compass a few times, and it seemed like a nice unit, but I think the M-Stage is in another class. Keep in mind that the Compass has a built in DAC which the Matrix doesn't. From what I remember, the Matrix matches the strengths of the Compass (excellent bass, expansive soundstage, fast transients) without having any of the same weaknesses (slightly grainy upper midrange/highs, perhaps a bit dry and uninvolving). Again this is a somewhat uneducated opinion so make of it what you will.
 
On the other hand if you own a Compas and are satisfied with it, you might just stick with it and spend the money on a different upgrade such as headphones.


 


Sorry my DT880s are the 250ohm version so I'm no help there. But I will say I've not encountered a headphone yet that doesn't sound quite good with the Matrix.

Project: Can I ask if you did any opamp switching with the Matrix? Just curious as to what others may sound like.
 
And thanks again for the fantastic amp review/recommendation!

 
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 Well I just ordered the Tesla T1 so I will be able to post on how the Matrix can drive them hopefully next weekend. Since these are my first Hi impedence can it should prove interesting. I do believe they will succeed. Thats the end of my budget for the year new amp and 2k new phones taps me out.

Wow congrats Frank, I bet that can will sound fantastic. You might even sell the 701's!
 
I'm still very happy with this amp, it's so great to finally have the power my 702's need! They sound great with any material I though at them (though I always thought they did sound good at least), and rock/metal especially has more of the energy, power, impact, speed, and "oomph" needed to sound great. Before this material always sounded kind of weak, sluggish, or anemic...no more!

 
Still haven't A/B'd the Matrix with my EF-1; I just can't tear myself away from the Matrix to do so!

 

[project86]

 
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Project: Can I ask if you did any opamp switching with the Matrix? Just curious as to what others may sound like.
 
And thanks again for the fantastic amp review/recommendation!

 

 
 

No I haven't tried switching opamps, as I'm totally satisfied with the way it sounds already. Also, I've moved on and have been trying a bunch of other new gear, with varying results. I use the M-Stage as a reference because I have a lot of hours logged on it. If I changed the opamp, then I'd have to re-aquaint myself with the new sound before using it to test a new DAC or something. I just don't have the time. On the other hand, if someone here who has similar taste as me (Frank I for example) told me a certain opamp was a clear winner in every way, I would probably give it a try down the road.

 

[Pariah1]

 
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No I haven't tried switching opamps, as I'm totally satisfied with the way it sounds already. Also, I've moved on and have been trying a bunch of other new gear, with varying results. I use the M-Stage as a reference because I have a lot of hours logged on it. If I changed the opamp, then I'd have to re-aquaint myself with the new sound before using it to test a new DAC or something. I just don't have the time. On the other hand, if someone here who has similar taste as me (Frank I for example) told me a certain opamp was a clear winner in every way, I would probably give it a try down the road.

Yea, this all makes sense, especially for you. I was just wondering.
 
The Matrix certainly does sound great stock, but then if I've learned anything in audio it's that it's good to experiment and see if you can improve even an good/fantastic amp or alter it more to your taste. And since the Matrix has an easy to switch opamp I might just be doing that. Maybe it will sound even better, maybe not (which would be fine). Doesn't hurt to try!

 

[project86]

Well, now you've got me thinking about switching.... I'll have to re-read this thread as there is some talk of which opamps sound best. The best part is they are usually really cheap to try out. For me it's just a matter of finding the time.

 

[Frank I]

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Well, now you've got me thinking about switching.... I'll have to re-read this thread as there is some talk of which opamps sound best. The best part is they are usually really cheap to try out. For me it's just a matter of finding the time.

I won't do that for awhile as i like you are very familiar with the sound of the Matrix and burning and evaluating the T1 will let me know what I hear and if it is a keeper or not. I am hoping it will work well with the Matrix. Funds are exhausted for awhile unless I start selling stuff LOL But I am getting low on stuff to sell. This amp is way underpriced for the quality of parts and how well they perform

 

[Mr Joboto]

Looking forward to your impressions with the T1!

 

[Frank I]

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Looking forward to your impressions with the T1!

Thanks they ship tomorrow should be here Wed. I will spend some time with them and then post impressions.

 

[Frank I]

Sorry guys after spending the entire evening sorting through the entire thread on the T1 I decided I was too impulsive in ordering them. I do not believe I would be happy long term and I am on the list for the LCD2. I want a can that is significantly better than and INO worth the price of admission. I did not get that impression from reading the threads and I like the cans I have now. So the wait goes on.

 

[buz]

Weren't you going on about how one should wait a few months on the LCD2

 

[Frank I]

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Weren't you going on about how one should wait a few months on the LCD2

I am on the list by the time I come up looks like might be two months, LOL I am just sitting tight and really did not want to be impulsive. I ordered the T1 and that phone was one I never had considered before. I really want a planar.

 

[Pariah1]

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Sorry guys after spending the entire evening sorting through the entire thread on the T1 I decided I was too impulsive in ordering them. I do not believe I would be happy long term and I am on the list for the LCD2. I want a can that is significantly better than and INO worth the price of admission. I did not get that impression from reading the threads and I like the cans I have now. So the wait goes on.

I don't blame you, myself I can't ever see dropping even $500 on a can! I want to stick to $300 and under. Maybe that will change, but I kind of doubt it. There is a point where it is just "good enough" and for me that's around $200 to $300. 
 
Little update: I don't want to be a downer, but I am noticing some harshness or hardness or metallic sound to some of the highs. But I don't think this is the M-Stage so much as the 702's. The EF-1 covered this up some with it's "tube" warmth (but I could still tell it was there), but the M-Stage is more neutral and thus revealing. It is funny though, there still seems to be less harsh highs as I said before, but this is in the very upper highs. The more upper mid range and lower treble seems a bit harder or colder or sibilant.
 
This problem with the highs only seems really apparent on some material (bright) and at higher volumes though.
 
On the good side I'm noticing more articulation and detail in the bass, more air or headspace in the highs (not sure about detail yet), and I think vocals have been brought up or are more forward in the mix. And then there is all the power and energy that is just wonderful.
 
Whatever the "problem" with the highs (which is the SS of the 702 more than the Matrix I think) I still am much preferring this amp over the EF-1 and am quite happy with it. More as I listen more and A/B and try out my 225i's with the M-Stage.

 

[Frank I]

I really have not noticed a harsh tremble unless it is a bad recording. One think will never change with both the Matrix and AKG they are both very revealing. If you hear it on all recordings  that would tell you something is not right somewhere. I tend to try to listen to mostly well recorded material.

 

[BlackstoneJD]

Any idea how the Matrix M-Stage stacks up against a Little Dot Mark V?

 

[vnguyen33]

X2 . I would also like to know. Thanks.

 

[cravenz]

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Got it!

 
Switched the gain right away to 10db. First impression: this thing is heavy!

No, really, right out of the box, this is a heavy and long amp.

 
Ok first sound impression: Oh yea, HERE is the power the 702 needs! At any volume level the sound is more robust, filled or fleshed out, quicker and more energetic with more impact; more powerful. THIS is what I've been missing all these months with my 702, and I was right in thinking that the EF-1 just couldn't power them well enough. I even did a "take" when putting on my first track (Rush's Tom Sawyer); my head involuntarily jerked back in surprise at the power and energy.
 
As for more detailed sound impressions, first thing I noticed was the upper tube veil or softness of my EF-1 was gone; the high mids and highs have more clarity. YET (and this will anger tube fundamentalists lol) the highs are NOT harsher, in fact, I think they are less harsh than with my EF-1! Imagine, a pure solid state amp having smoother and less fatiguing highs than an hybrid tube amp!

This coheres with what I've been growing to suspect more and more: That it's not a matter of tube or solid state having a certain SS in general, but what the maker of the amp is going for. I know my EF-1 is only a hybrid amp though, but still...
 
Also I think there is more air in the highs now and as a result there seems to be more detail and a slightly larger sound stage. The bass sounds even more articulate than before, and everything seems more balanced and even smoother or more cohesive.
 
More later, especially as I A/B the M-Stage with the EF-1.
 
In sum: the 702's are now brought to life!

The power they need is there to give them the energy and more filled out sound (not "warmer" by any means, just not as "thin" or "hollow" or anemic) they are capable of. They sound better than ever now, I'm quite impressed so far!
 
Thanks to project86 for the review and starting this thread and Frank for pointing this amp out to me and all the other posters who provided their impressions of this amp. I think me, the 702's, and this amp are going to get along just fine for quite awhile.

 
Also thanks to coolfungadget: a week delivery from China with a weekend in the way...wow!

lol. i just got it today and I'm listening to it now as I type this. question though, what volume do you have your amp at? cos' I'm more or less listening to it at 12 o'clock with the gain set at 10 I think. lol.