[Maxvla]

You can't compare just the DAC chip like that. You can somewhat compare the Mini-I and Mini-Pro chips because the rest of the unit is so similar, but comparing completely different units won't work.

The display is white-ish blue. The casework is well done, slightly better than the M-Stage IMO.

 

[White Lotus]

This is the most accurate image of the screen colour from the photo set:
 

 
And I compared it to one of the Matrix M-stage products, didn't sound too different to my ears.
 
Should it have been night and day?

 

[Chodi]

I'm not really surprised that you found the sound was similar to other Matrix products. They have received good reviews on just about all their products so why change what works. They deliver great value on every product of theirs that I've seen usually far beyond their retail price points. 

 

[Hellenback]

I didn't find the headphone amp section of the original Mini-i to have as much power and clarity/definition as the M-Stage for example and am frankly quite surprised that the >$1000 LCD 2.2s can be driven well with the new one.
 
Have they upgraded the amp section substantially in the pro model as I've always used the Mini-i as a balanced DAC only?

 

[White Lotus]

I was told that the new version has an improved headphone output.

 

[Hellenback]

 
I was told that the new version has an improved headphone output.

 
I'd love to see the specs and/or hear/compare the new unit as I haven't read about the upgrade anywhere.

 

[White Lotus]

I haven't compared it to the older model - I wish I had.
 
When I bought it, the distributor told me they had addressed the concerns with the headphone output, I happily took his word for it!
 
I'll have a hunt around on the internet a bit later on.

 

[ninjapirate9901]

I wonder how this stacks up against the D100 MkII... I may just have to nab one and find out.

 

[White Lotus]

  I wonder how this stacks up against the D100 MkII... I may just have to nab one and find out.

 
We both know that you can't stay away from that display, either 

 
If you do nab one, I hope you enjoy the pairing with the LCD 2 as much as I have.
 
And I expect to see some filth on /r/headphoneporn

 

[TonyRS]

This looks very cool. Is this also a preamp? I'm looking for something to pair with my active monitors.

 

[White Lotus]

  This looks very cool. Is this also a preamp? I'm looking for something to pair with my active monitors.

 
It has both line-level RCA and balanced XLR outputs. You can adjust the line level output as well.
 

 

[TonyRS]

 

  This looks very cool. Is this also a preamp? I'm looking for something to pair with my active monitors.

 
It has both line-level RCA and balanced XLR outputs. You can adjust the line level output as well.
 

sweet... Is it automatically adjustable once you unplug the headphones or is it an option?

 

[White Lotus]

  sweet... Is it automatically adjustable once you unplug the headphones or is it an option?

 
It seems to be linked with the headphone-out volume control. There might be a way to unlink them, but I haven't found it yet.

 

[Maxvla]

You can either set it as a DAC only, meaning headphone output is disabled, or have it mute whichever is inactive, or you can have both active at the same time. When using the mute whichever is inactive mode, it will remember the volume at which it was muted independently. So if you have sensitive headphones with the volume set to -40dB and active monitors that need it at -10dB, you can switch back and forth without blowing your headphones.

 

[White Lotus]

When I hit the Mute button, mine seems to mute both at the same time.