Matrix X-Sabre DAC review and impression thread

[Maxvla]

That exaSound looks mighty nice, though I can't get over the fact that it weighs less than 2 pounds. That just seems wrong for a high end device. I know, the whole "weight corresponds with quality" meme is totally played out (don't tell KingWa I said that) but 1.6 lbs is really pushing it. 

Hmm... :confused_face:

 

[MoNelly]

Quote:

Nick and I compared the X-Sabre and Concero on his Decware so unbalanced on both. There's really no easy way to compare analog outputs of a single DAC. You will always have another variable in the amplifier. I don't know how else to tell you it's really not possible.

 
Great impressions, guys. Thanks! Which Decware amp were you using?

 

[Maxvla]

CSP2+

 

[jronan2]

I planning on getting this as soon as its released, i sent an email in to see if I could maybe get it sooner, but I highly doubt it. i really hope to have one by the end of the month, fingers crossed...

 

[MoNelly]

Quote:

 
That exaSound looks mighty nice, though I can't get over the fact that it weighs less than 2 pounds. That just seems wrong for a high end device. I know, the whole "weight corresponds with quality" meme is totally played out (don't tell KingWa I said that) but 1.6 lbs is really pushing it. 
 

What's the weight of the Concero? Is it small but dense? 
 
I have to say, the idea that it competes at a similar level to the X-Sabre is very interesting to me.

 

[gurus]

Quote:

 
 
That exaSound looks mighty nice, though I can't get over the fact that it weighs less than 2 pounds. That just seems wrong for a high end device. I know, the whole "weight corresponds with quality" meme is totally played out (don't tell KingWa I said that) but 1.6 lbs is really pushing it. 
 
 

That made me laugh pretty hard. Seems wrong because it weighs less for a high end device! That is the first time I heard that. I guess Apple and rest of the electronics industry must be going the wrong path and should stop making things smaller with more features then. 
 
I wish I could tell the way something sounds just by it's weight. Now that might be partially true for amplifiers where transformers largely dictate the sound  but for preamps and DACs the weight just like the price has no correlation to its sound. Like you said not much money got wasted on the unit because of casework in this instance (Exasound) as normally that is 40% of the cost.

 

[Maxvla]

TBH they should have spent more on the casework because that interior is not the most inspired setup.

 

[gurus]

Quote:

TBH they should have spent more on the casework because that interior is not the most inspired setup.

 
I agree. It should have been a fancier larger case with heavy aluminum fascia so it looks demands money.
 
I looked at the M2tech Vaughan and there is so much unutilized real estate in there that you could fit in a few Exasounds in the empty space inside the case.

 

[paradoxper]

Could we possibly petition for a silver faceplate, yea?

 

[Maxvla]

There is no 'faceplate' on the X-Sabre. It's all one block of aluminum.

 

[paradoxper]

Quote:

There is no 'faceplate' on the X-Sabre. It's all one block of aluminum.

Oh, that is right. FACEPALM.
 
Can we petition for some silver aluminum then, yea?

 

[preproman]

Quote:

X-Sabre vs Gungnir

No contest. X-Sabre takes resolution to the next level. Smoother, more open, more detailed, more air, even better bass control and texture. No downside in upgrading from the Gungnir, except the price of course.

X-Sabre vs Concero

Sound is very similar. Detail and air goes to X-Sabre barely. Attack perhaps slightly better. There are several areas where the X-Sabre has a very small advantage, and the Concero at best equals the X-Sabre, so no advantage areas, except price. Largely the decision on these units comes down to features. DSD/DXD + Balanced and slight sound gains vs $500.

X-Sabre vs DA11

Smoother and clearer than the DA11. DA11 is voiced a little different. I would say the DA11 is better than the Gungnir, but I did not compare them directly. I preferred the X-Sabre to the DA11, but not by as much as over the Gungnir.

X-Sabre vs PWD2

Did not care for the PWD2. Treble tended to be harsh and felt much less open. Lacks impact and attack. I think I would even prefer the Gungnir over the PWD2 but again did not compare directly.

 
 
Very interesting.
 
I know these are your opinions as I have my own as well.
 
Have not heard the X-Saber as of yet of course.  However.  I've had the PWD2 for a while now.  A few of us also put a few higher end DAC together (up to the 2K mark) and came out with very different results.
 
The PWD2 is among the best DACs with highs / treble just buttery smooth with lots of bass weight and very constant across the entire spectrum.  Along with the Anedio D2 and the Lynx Hilo.  
 
Sorry, I had the Gungnir in for a demo for a few weeks and this DAC is no better than the Emotiva XDA-1 seriously.  As I much preferred the NAD m51 to it no question.
 
The X-Saber must be a giant killer.  I really have to get my hands on it.  It just has to make out in the wild to more reviewers hands like the Mytek:  http://www.hifi-advice.com/mytek-192DSD-review.html    /   http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f6-dac-digital-analog-conversion/mytek-stereo-192-a-5555/
 
I understand the MSRP for the PWD2 is 4K.  However, the street price is sub 2.5K all day long.  I got mine new for 2.2K..  I have not heard a DAC in the 2K price range that beat the PWD2, some others equal it with differences here or there but none beats it.  I have the Master 7 coming in a week or so.  We also have another DAC meet coming up as well.
 
I'm sure DACs like the Invicta and Eximus are better (maybe).  They're just over my 2K threshold.
 
I'm routing for the X-Saber really.  I like the looks of it over the Mytek.  The Mytek has more features like pre amp and analog volume control.  I much prefer my dac not to have volume control at all, but if it does I would like it to be analog.  

 

[project86]

Quote:

What's the weight of the Concero? Is it small but dense? 
 
I have to say, the idea that it competes at a similar level to the X-Sabre is very interesting to me.

 
I'd guess Concero was maybe 3 pounds or so. It's fairly heavy for its size. They don't list the weight in the specs though so I can't say for sure.
 
Quote:

That made me laugh pretty hard. Seems wrong because it weighs less for a high end device! That is the first time I heard that. I guess Apple and rest of the electronics industry must be going the wrong path and should stop making things smaller with more features then. 
 
I wish I could tell the way something sounds just by it's weight. Now that might be partially true for amplifiers where transformers largely dictate the sound  but for preamps and DACs the weight just like the price has no correlation to its sound. Like you said not much money got wasted on the unit because of casework in this instance (Exasound) as normally that is 40% of the cost.

 
If you read my complete post, I did say how that idea doesn't really apply any longer (like it arguably did back in the analog days). However - my point was that 1.6 pounds is unbelievably light. Almost to the point where I suspect they made a mistake on that number. But as I said - it looks like a good unit if we ignore that aspect. 

 

[Maxvla]

Very interesting.

I would probably prefer even the Concero over the PWD2, and that is nearly half the price of the X-Sabre. Just not a fan of the PWD2.

 

[Cante Ista]

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