i've never used a streamer before and always shy away from it thinking i am over paying for a nuc or rasberry pi and is more for convenience. i thought you don't need pc if you have streamer. you just need rj45 from router or wifi and control it with an android app assuming the streamer has an app and you have an android or apple device.
well, one may also think of a streaming device as having some collateral benefits:
- one need not add any load for one's PC to be running a background app, i.e. Tidal streaming in the background whenever one's listening
- using Tidal's app, they now have Tidal Connect. i can't figure out what is the benefit but they claim it is a more direct connection, i.e. bypassing some internal components. no matter how many times i read about it, i still find it to be mumble jumble.
- it solves my USB-C cable not-long-enough problem. i can't find a USB-C cable that's required to connect this device to my PC's rear connectors that is sufficiently long, unfortunately, so a direct ethernet connection, or via wifi, would be the two Plan B options.
i was hoping that you'd have some idea for finding a sufficiently long USB cable, i.e. a USB-C to USB-A cable that would work.
apparently, as per one user, he said that one must NOT "...use a 3-amp fast charging USB-C cable because it's not compatible...due to the charging chip integrated in the connector..."
this is very odd and curious to me, as it would seem like a major "do NOT do" item that the manufacturer should have prominently written about in their manual.
it's quirky and a relatively unknown quirk as well, who knew about this? what exact type of USB-C cable IS ok then? bizarre.
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Gianluca S. Verified Buyer
SEP 22, 2020
English:
Hi, first experience with Matrix Audio and I believe I am also the first in the world to review the Mini-I Pro 3 received two days ago. No chatter and let's pay attention to the point. The Mini-I Pro 3 looks like a solid product, well built, with an anti-interference aluminum body. The high definition display is a feast for the eyes, practically perfect. The entrances are the usual. No installation and use problems via USB port by downloading the relative drivers for Win10.
Warning! Do not absolutely use a 3A fast charging usb C cable because it is not compatible due to the charging chip integrated in the connector; use a normal USB C cable. The sound emitted from the speakers connected via xlr is linear, very precise, balanced, powerful, clean and realistic. There is no gain on the speakers but the power is enough; +18 the gain on the single ended headphone input and +24 on the balanced input guarantee perfect sound for headphones up to 300ohm. Unfortunately, no integration with proprietary apps such as MA remote control, but you can do without it. There is no DLNA, probably in the future there will be an update that will allow it but it is not safe. Seamless integration with Roon via Ethernet, also the best way to use the Matrix, even if the product has not yet been certified but will soon be. An easy and intuitive menu allows, by pressing the rear button, to easily interact with the unit, for example by inserting the dac mode at fixed volume or variable volume preamp, while pressing the volume knob, very solid and well built, you can change between the inputs. Excellent wifi-bluetooth reception (no need for stupid and unsightly antennas) and no interference in the sound. In the integration with Roon I was able to see how the Matrix does not update the display of radio stations, especially the title and author that are listened to at the moment (the station logo is updated), a problem that will probably be solved in the future with constant updates. that the unit will receive. The management of MQAs is perfect, making the Mini-I Pro 3 a reference full decoder. DSD management is also excellent. No popping or latency issues, the unit is extremely accurate; I really believe that the integration between the DAC chip and the clock is a perfect alchemy. The standard remote control is well built and very solid, the quality is evident. Soon I think we may also have the official SINAD measures which I am sure will not disappoint. What can I say, as an all in one DAC streamer it is probably one of the best I have ever tried and I highly recommend it especially in terms of value for money as it is also extremely small and can be placed anywhere. At the moment I don't think there is a unit like this on the market that has this versatility and this quality at this price. Then the updates and the continuous care that Matrix reserves for its products are a guarantee. I reserve the right to update the review as soon as possible with new news."
https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/...uetooth-decoder-banlanced-headphone-amplifier
