Matrix X-SPDIF 2 - a Singxer SU-1 killer?

[WNBC]

Like others have reported, the XSPDIF-2 works great with Holo Audio Spring DAC for being able to use its best input, I2S. It's been too long since I've owned the SU-1 so I cannot make any comparisons. My audio memory isn't that good, especially for DDCs. No hiccups with Macbook Pro or Surface Pro 3. I did not have to change any of the switches for native DSD or DSD via DoP.

Is the main advantage of the DoP to DSD native switched "on" being that the conversion is done in the Matrix rather on your computer?

I don't quite understand the use of the MCLK switch. Is that for synchronous USB mode vs typical asynchronous?

Is native DSD reported as a cyan LED color rather than gray? In the manual it is shown as a gray color and DoP is more cyan. In reality when I play DoP it is reported as a standard dark blue LED color.

 

[Mudshark]

I am using a Matrix X-SPDIF 2 between a Melco server and a PS Audio DirectStream Sr. DAC as follows:

Melco HA-N1ZH60 Mk. 1 --> USB --> Matrix X-SPDIF 2 --> I²S --> PS Audio DirectStream Sr.

The Melco outputs DSD as DoP and I have the Matrix set to convert DoP to native DSD for feeding to the DirectStream DAC. The Matrix's LED is blue when I play DSD files stored in the Melco. The DirectStream reports "DSD" (as opposed to "DOP"). Works like a charm and sounds great!

 

[ArthurPower]

A big thank you to everyone who visited us at the NYC CanJam show. A few pics...

 

[Chopin75]

Hi all,

I am quite new to digital audio (meaning using Computer & DACs instead of CD players etc.) I am looking into a DDC to connect my MAC to the DAC. Singxer-SU-1 has been the main one for a while as it is quite cheap but it does have some issues mainly with the AC power supply, though there is a $ 20 mod u can do to get D.C. Power input and there is also a more expensive mod versions that deal with the AC power but total cost goes up to $700-800. This new matrix seems like a great it alternative.

I wonder:

if something like isoregen or Intona or other USB isolater would help further.

Any sonic difference between using USB power vs D.C. Power and if Using LPS makes a great difference ? Apparently LPS helps the Signxir a lot.

Also has anyone compared the matrix with the schiit etir ?

 

[jonahsfo]

Hi all,

I am quite new to digital audio (meaning using Computer & DACs instead of CD players etc.) I am looking into a DDC to connect my MAC to the DAC. Singxer-SU-1 has been the main one for a while as it is quite cheap but it does have some issues mainly with the AC power supply, though there is a $ 20 mod u can do to get D.C. Power input and there is also a more expensive mod versions that deal with the AC power but total cost goes up to $700-800. This new matrix seems like a great it alternative.

I wonder:

if something like isoregen or Intona or other USB isolater would help further.

Any sonic difference between using USB power vs D.C. Power and if Using LPS makes a great difference ? Apparently LPS helps the Signxir a lot.

Also has anyone compared the matrix with the schiit etir ?

A couple observations:
1) I'll deliberately stay away from the "sounds different" discussion on a Digital-to-Digital converter.

2) these things are more about flexibility and format conversion. I use the Matrix X-SPDIF2 for three reasons:
- it provides a nice stable USB interface that works well in macOS (and Linux, and Windows) and can also scale to absurd bitrates (32bit @ 352.8Khz)
- it's aware of various DSD encoding mechanisms, and has the ability to tweak the frame-stuffing of DSD-in-PCM ... oh, and the XSPDIF2 lights up blue when it sees DSD -- which is kinda cool
- it can replicate the bitstream to multiple outputs, synchronized, in real-time. You can feed up to 4x DACs at once (I^2S + AES + SPDIF + TOSLINK)

I use my X-SPDIF2 to feed a Holo Audio Spring DAC via I^2S, and it sounds fantastic. I don't use a separate power supply for the X-SPDIF2 -- it just runs on a powered USB hub and seems quite happy.

 

[Chopin75]

A couple observations:
1) I'll deliberately stay away from the "sounds different" discussion on a Digital-to-Digital converter.

2) these things are more about flexibility and format conversion. I use the Matrix X-SPDIF2 for three reasons:
- it provides a nice stable USB interface that works well in macOS (and Linux, and Windows) and can also scale to absurd bitrates (32bit @ 352.8Khz)
- it's aware of various DSD encoding mechanisms, and has the ability to tweak the frame-stuffing of DSD-in-PCM ... oh, and the XSPDIF2 lights up blue when it sees DSD -- which is kinda cool
- it can replicate the bitstream to multiple outputs, synchronized, in real-time. You can feed up to 4x DACs at once (I^2S + AES + SPDIF + TOSLINK)

I use my X-SPDIF2 to feed a Holo Audio Spring DAC via I^2S, and it sounds fantastic. I don't use a separate power supply for the X-SPDIF2 -- it just runs on a powered USB hub and seems quite happy.

Thanks for reply, it does look like it will convert all DoP to DSD native so one need not to worry about mac sending only DoP. Singxer apparently would not convert DoP to DSD.
Looks like this is another great Chinese product!
Also it can support up to 768 Hz correct?! What is the warranty like and they ship direct from China from their website?

 

[davveswe]

Do the spdif 2 work with I2S on lks 004?

 

[Zowie1]

Does this device work with Ifi Micro Idsd Black label?

 

[Chopin75]

Has anyone tried the Italian brand: evo Hiface 2 DDC ? It is quite similar to the Matrix using Spartan chip I think, but has additional SPDIF input for CD transport and also allows a clock to work on it. But the SPDIF dose not go to I2S, However it can be upsampled within the device if needed. I suppose the CDs can be upsampled in this device. Apparently it is also galvanically isolated. Not sure if Matrix is also.

Here is the link:
http://lnx.m2tech.biz/products/evo-two/hiface-evo-two/

 

[zoophaugus]

Has anyone tried the Italian brand: evo Hiface 2 DDC ? It is quite similar to the Matrix using Spartan chip I think, but has additional SPDIF input for CD transport and also allows a clock to work on it. But the SPDIF dose not go to I2S, However it can be upsampled within the device if needed. I suppose the CDs can be upsampled in this device. Apparently it is also galvanically isolated. Not sure if Matrix is also.

Here is the link:
http://lnx.m2tech.biz/products/evo-two/hiface-evo-two/

No we have not tried that out - this is a matrix thread... You might want to start a new thread bud...

 

[krunok]

The X-SPDIF 2 is already using the latest Xmos firmware. There have been no reported issues or bugs. If an update does become available I'll post info on this thread.

Good to know! I would very much appreciate if someone can confirm that X-SPDIF 2 works correctly with Silex DS-510 (or any other Silex model) without "fast forward" or any other bug.

 

[heliosphann]

Anyone know where I can get one of these??? Everyplace I've found online says OOS.

 

[zoophaugus]

Anyone know where I can get one of these??? Everyplace I've found online says OOS.

I got mine from shenzen audio... Showing available right now....

 

[heliosphann]

I got mine from shenzen audio... Showing available right now....

Says pre-order, shipping around the 30th.

 

[zoophaugus]

I bought a fairly cheap linear power supply (about a hundred bucks) to try out on the matrix and to my surprise it does make it a tad bit more "alive" is the word I'll use. Im feeding it around 8.5 volts and I'm guessing it'll use the 800 milliamps the instructions say it would use as I don't have a gage for current.


No big night and day difference but I'm guessing the increased voltage just makes it function a bit better... It's basically just increasing the electrical pressure and giving it some more current making it more alive...
The best way I can describe it as is a more pronounced separation of sounds. That's nothing it did not do already do but it does it a tad bit better now...