Matrix Audio Element X2 Pure Streamer/DAC | REVIEW

I needed a DAC. Yeah, I know, I’ve started off more than one review with this declaration and it’s a constant reminder that I need to rectify that situation. But I’ve also toyed with the idea that I need a more comprehensive solution, perhaps an all-in-one integrated amp/DAC/streamer (like the Electrocompaniet ECI 6 DX I currently have in for review), or maybe just a DAC/streamer that maybe, just maybe, includes a music server–although I’m still not convinced this is the time to jettison my CD collection. But I definitely need a DAC, especially when people keep sending me servers and streamers without one. In other words, the Matrix Audio Element X2 Pure streamer and DAC arrived at the perfect time.

Words and Photos by Marc Phillips

If you’re unfamiliar with Matrix Audio, it’s a Chinese company that specializes in music streamers. (Matrix is distributed in the US by the very helpful Arthur G. H. Power IV of Power Holdings Inc.) Matrix has developed a media player, the MA Remote App, which is designed to work seamlessly with iPhone, Android and iPad devices. MA Remote is integrated into their streamers, and the interface runs quite smoothly–MA Remote will also connect to your media storage and your network with ease.

The Matrix Audio Element X2 Pure, released for the 10th anniversary of the company, adds a DAC to the mix. Matrix Audio chose dual ES9039PRO chips from ESS, which is that company’s new flagship. Those dual chips prompted Matrix to design the X2 Pure as a dual mono device, with a completely symmetrical layout. Best of all, the DAC can be used alone, without the streamer, which is suited to my immediate needs.

There’s a lot of cutting-edge digital tech inside the Matrix Audio Element X2 Pure, but one of its most fascinating features is its size. The X2 Pure is surprisingly compact for what it offers. The majority of DACs and streamers out there aren’t huge, but they’re often heavy. The Matrix Audio is fairly light, although the build quality is still impressive. Another benefit is the cost–the X2 Pure is $4,500, which is reasonable for what it offers. The only remaining question is this: how does it sound?

Inside the Matrix Audio Element X2 Pure

If you’re wondering about the “Pure” nomenclature, it refers to Matrix Audio’s decision to build the X2 as a streamlined digital playback device focused on the “pure” sound. That’s what I want from my digital audio, after all–I don’t want to constantly worry about everything synching up and working like it’s supposed to. That’s why I was so slow to adopt the modern digital formats in the first place.

When designed well, products such as streamers should be a joy to use. I do know, however, that plenty of technology and engineering is required for a product to achieve that flawless user interface. First of all, it should be clear why you should investigate a network streamer over a laptop computer–better sound quality. That better sound quality is usually achieved through noise reduction strategies, and the Matrix Audio Element X2 Pure uses a CNC-machined aluminum shield over the circuitry, as well as electrical isolation between the digital and analog components. Ultra-low noise LDOs are also used–Matrix Audio says that these are responsible for those black, velvety silences between the notes.

The X2 Pure may be designed as simple and streamlined, but it is also capable of expanding its duties within your system. In addition to its many digital inputs, it also includes analog outputs so you can connect an analog rig, CD player or other analog device–just like a preamp. In fact, it is a preamp, with +10dB analog gain. That’s right, we’re now talking about a DAC/streamer/preamp.

Another intriguing feature is the Audio Return Channel input. I’ll admit that I didn’t use this, because my TVs and my main audio system remain separate, but I still think it’s an exciting idea for folks who are into home integration:

“The Element X2 Pure has an HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) input. When connected to display devices such as TVs and projectors including HDMI ARC functionality, the digital audio from the HDMI signal can be transferred to element X2 Pure for higher quality playback. If the display device supports HDMI CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) protocol, the playback on element X2 Pure can be controlled by this display device.”

Finally, let’s get back to that DAC. After all, I needed a DAC. It’s clear that the Matrix Audio Element X2 Pure did not cut corners on this converter. It’s not something thrown in for convenience–it’s something that would be quite notable if it was offered as a stand-alone DAC. The internal clock, for example, is fairly sophisticated:

“Async and Sync modes still available for element X2 Pure. In Async mode, the 2 D/A chips use the Crystek CCHD950 ultra low phase noise femtosecond clock as the master clock, and the clock from the front-end device will be abandoned. In Sync mode, the built-in femtosecond clock will be turned off, and the D/A chip depends on the clock of the front-end device completely.”

As you can see, the Matrix Audio Element X2 Pure has entered the realm of great value, providing so much for a reasonable price. Now let’s see if I can get it up and running.

Set-Up

The Matrix Audio Element X2 Pure has a touch screen on the front faceplate, the MA Remote App, and a remote control. While setting it up, I had to use a combination of all three in order to customize the unit to my needs. The Five Minute Rule, where I try to get the music flowing no more than five minutes after the connections have been made, was not met–but the rule is usually meant for DACs. Servers and streamers often take longer, and that requires familiarizing yourself with all of the features over an extended length of time.

I started off using the DAC of the X2 Pure first, pairing it with the Innuos PULSAR network streamer. Then I used the X2 Pure as a one-box solution, and then in conjunction with the Electrocompaniet ECI 6 DX, which has its own DAC and streamer. After a while, my digital rig was constantly evolving to the point where I was worried about losing track of what each component was contributing to the overall sound, so I backed off and used the Matrix alone, as it was intended.

But I noticed one interesting thing–through all those switcheroos, there was a consistency in the way music was delivered–black, smooth, silent, and surprisingly analog. I’m not attributing this to the X2 Pure as much as I’m declaring that it holds it own against more expensive, and less feature-laden, digital devices in my system.

Matrix Audio Element X2 Pure Sound

After reviewing a few DACs, streamer and servers over the last couple of years, I think I’ve defined my expectations of digital audio devices–especially when compared to the days when I just used my laptop and a pair of headphones for streaming Qobuz. When I first started testing digital audio, I found a couple of things I didn’t like. First of all, I hated the glitches that often accompanied digital audio–drop-offs, phasiness, an unanchored feel to the soundstage and, most of all, big inconsistencies between listening sessions.

With most of the modern servers and streamers I’ve used lately, those glitches were largely erased. A good DAC, server, streamer or ethernet switch must provide an additional platform for noise reduction and for the protection of vital components such as femto clocks, which are susceptible to the dangers of RF and static electricity. As far as I know, none of those considerations have been widely applied to the laptop market. (Obviously, there may be an opportunity for “audiophile laptop computers.”)

In other words, I find that high-quality digital audio products achieve these basic improvements in a rather black-and-white way. While I had the Matrix Audio Element X2 Pure in the house, I also had many other digital devices at my disposal–the Innuos Pulsar network server, the DAC and streamer in the Electrocompaniet, and the inboard DAC of the Burmester 088 preamplifier. As I mentioned, I did a lot of swapping around and I found that I didn’t notice huge sonic differences between these devices. After extensive and punishing A/B comparisons, I might discover a preference for one digital audio product over another, but with each swap I was delighted at similar levels of performance:

• Pure, black silences with no discernible noise in the background. Digital streaming should never sound like listening to an FM tuner, even a great one.
• An analog-like sound that is far more relaxed, open, and natural–which seems to be the goal of most manufacturers of digital audio these days.
• Flawless streaming with no drop-offs, and no days where things just don’t sound right.

The Matrix Audio Element X2 Pure met all of these criteria, and perhaps just as well as any other digital device I’ve tested recently. I’m not trying to say that all servers and streamers sound alike, but the interface can definitely affect how I feel about using one product over another.

The DAC of the Matrix Audio Element X2 Pure, however, was a different story. I suppose I’ve always has an affinity for ESS chips, but at the same time I know that the chip in a DAC is about as important as the switching module in a class D amplifier–it’s only one part of the signal chain, and its basic behavior can be changed in many ways–digital filters, for example.

While using the DAC in the Matrix Audio Element X2 Pure with the Innuos Pulsar, however, I noticed a richness to the sound that was unexpected. For me, the sound was closer to physically pulling information out of a vinyl groove than grabbing a signal out of thin air. (I’m not fond of the word gravitas, but there it is.) Music had a solid foundation, with realistic imaging and soundstaging that brought me closer to the original recording.

Listening Sessions

I have to admit that I’m getting into a rut with my current streaming habits–I feel like it’s been a long time since I discovered something new to stream. Am I digging the Oppenheimer OST? Definitely. (I’m also ready to dive into the soundtrack for Dune 2.) But I’ll let you in on a little secret–some big analog gear is on its way, and I’ll be diving back into that world with a sense of relief. Let’s just say that I have numerous LPs waiting for me to take a first listen, something that’s only happened because I’ve spent the last year streaming heavily. I know, that sounds icky.

In other words, any digital audio device I test must rouse me from this streaming torpor where I glance at the home screen of Qobuz for minutes, and I can’t decide what to hear. That’s right, I have all the music in the world at my fingertips and I feel like I’m standing in front of an open refrigerator, packed with food, and there’s nothing to eat. What does this have to do with the Matrix Audio Element X2 Pure?

A network streamer, above all, needs to engage the listener through its user interface. One of the reasons why I’m not cuckoo for Roon is that I’m not that interested in spending my free time building a network that dazzles the neighbors. The less I click, the happier I am. That’s what I found with the MA Remote App–it was easy to get into the zone and play the role of My Personal DJ for hours and hours. While it did take a little while for everything to become second nature, once there I felt as if I had all that music in the palm of my hand, ready to go.

Matrix Audio Element X2 Pure Conclusions

The real story here isn’t that the Matrix Audio Element X2 Pure sounds really good, which it does, but that you get so many features for a reasonable amount of money. It’s a DAC–a darned good one–a streamer, and a preamplifier. It’s the perfect solution for people who want to simplify their digital audio systems. All you need is the X2 Pure, paired with a high-quality GaN FET amplifier, and a small pair of overachieving monitors, and you have a compact 21st century high-end audio system that will satisfy for the long haul.

These leads me to another quandary about my digital audio preferences, which mirrors much of my experience with high-end audio. Do I travel down the road of the purist and separate my system into endless tiny boxes that isolates each function while providing the benefits of a dedicated power supply? Or do I embrace all-in-one solutions that save space? The former strategy may be more appealing to audiophiles, but every time I try an all-in-one from respected companies such as Bel Canto, AVM and more, I’m impressed. That’s what happens when you pay attention to noise and vibration reduction inside the box.

The Matrix Audio Element X2 Pure is one of those all-in-ones–network streamer, DAC and preamp–that performs at a very high level for an affordable price. It doesn’t take up a lot of space, which makes it an extremely attractive proposition for audiophiles who want to add streaming to their system without rearranging everything on their equipment rack or spending a lot of money. Highly recommended.