Matrix Audio
Matrix element X2 MQA DAC/Amp/Streamer
The evolution of the element
The Matrix element X2 is a full-featured stand-alone source device for your audio system. An update of the element X, the new X2 continues Matrix Audio’s mission to simplify your audio system while introducing some exciting new features.
New UI, new impression
The X2 is equipped with a 3.46 inch LCD touch screen. The screen displays information during playback and allows you to perform operations more conveniently. The newly added playback touch keys make the new generation of element music streamers easier to use.
Richer than rich
If you own a huge library of digital audio, the X2 allows you to easily browse and play music from USB drives or NAS. If you prefer high-res online streaming, you can easily access TIDAL, Qobuz, Spotify and Internet radio. Roon Ready, DLNA/UPnP and AirPlay 2 expand your streaming experiences to tablets, smart phones, laptops, and more.
MA Remote app
Download the MA Remote app on your phone or tablet to easily browse your entire library, stream music from TIDAL, Qobuz, and other providers, and control the X2. You can also use the app to manage configurations and firmware updates.
Sweeter and louder
The element X2 has a built-in pre-amplifier with +10dB analog gain. When the pre-amp is enabled, it outputs high-quality audio signals up to 15.8VRMS. Combined with Hyper-Control technology, the entire output range maintains ultra-low noise and distortion. There’s no need to add an additional pre-amplifier.
Full of power, full of detail
The element X2 has a built-in full-balanced headphone amplifier, which is composed of 8 independent amplification units. Every 2 units are connected in parallel, providing higher drive current and output power with low distortion and noise. With the element X2, there are no hard-to-drive headphones; just plug and play.
Everything In your hand
The new RM4 remote control is made of premium aluminum and comfortable plastic. It features added playback control functions, making it more convenient to switch tracks, play, pause and perform other operations. With 2 programmable buttons, you can set your frequently used functions through the MA Remote App.
Digital and analog sources all-in-one
Vinyl turntables, CD players, and other devices with analog outputs can be connected to your modern digital audio system with the element X2. And with high, medium and low input gain options available, the X2 can adapt to different output levels of front-end devices.
HDMI ARC
When connected to display devices such as TVs and projectors with HDMI ARC functionality, the digital audio from the HDMI signal can be transferred to element X2 for higher quality playback. If the display device supports HDMI CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) protocol, the playback on element X2 can be controlled by the display device.
Asynchronous or synchronous
In Async mode, the master clock of the D/A chip comes from the built-in Crystek CCHD-950 femtosecond 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.
Isolated design
There are two independent power supplies dedicated for the ARM processor and the digital audio processing parts of the element X2. They use independent circuit units and are joined by several optocouplers to achieve complete electrical isolation. The audio circuit part uses an independent linear power supply to present a pure music background.
Product highlights
- DAC chip: ES9038PRO
- Full-balanced headphone amplifier
- 4 digital inputs, 1 analog input
- 4 outputs
- HDMI ARC support
- Roon ready
- Dual-band WiFi
- Supports MQA, MP3, WMA, WAV, AIF, AIFC, AIFF, AAC, FLAC, OGG, APE, ALAC, M4A, DSF, DFF, CUE, AirPlay 2, DLNA/UPnP, TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect, vTuner
- Remote control
- New UI
- Built-in pre-amplifier
Specs
Hardware platform
- CPU: NXP i.MX 6Quad 4x Cortex-A9 @1.2 GHz
- D/A chip: ES9038PRO
- Clock source: Crystek CCHD-950
Digital input
- Coaxial and optical: PCM 16-24Bit /44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz; DSD 2.8MHz (DoP)
- IIS LVDS: PCM 16-32Bit /44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz, 705.6kHz, 768kHz; DSD 2.8MHz, 5.6MHz, 11.2MHz (DoP); DSD 2.8MHz, 5.6 MHz, 11.2 MHz, 22.4MHz (Native)
- USB Audio: PCM 16-24Bit /44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz, 705.6kHz, 768kHz; MQA 16-24Bit /44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz MQA or MQA Studio stream; DSD 2.8MHz, 5.6MHz, 11.2MHz (DoP), DSD 2.8MHz, 5.6MHz, 11.2MHz, 22.4MHz (Native)
- HDMI ARC: PCM 16-24Bit /44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz
Aux input
- RCA
- SNR: >-106dB A-weighting
- THD+N: <0.0025%@1k, <0.0030%@20Hz-20kHz
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz ±0.07 -3dB@43kHz
- Channel Crosstalk: >-102dB
- Input Level: 2.1VRMS Maximum
Line output
- XLR
- SNR: >-131dB A-weighting
- THD+N:<0.00012%@1k, <0.00020%@20Hz-20kHz
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz ±0.05 -3dB@85kHz
- Crosstalk: >-146dB
- Output Level: 4.5VRMS@0dB,15.8VRMS@+10dB
- RCA
- SNR: >-125dB A-weighting
- THD+N:<0.00012%@1k, <0.00020%@20Hz-20kHz
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz ±0.05 -3dB@85kHz
- Channel Crosstalk: >-137dB
- Output Level: 2.2VRMS@0dB, 7.5VRMS@+10dB
Headphone output
- 4.4 mm balanced
- SNR: >-119dB A-weighting
- THD+N:<0.00055%@20Hz-20kHz 4VRMS
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz ±0.1 -3dB@85kHz
- Output Impedance:<12Ω
- Output Power: 2600mW@33Ω, 1100mW@300Ω, 580mW@600Ω, 1%THD
- Gain: +18dB@Low Gain, +28dB@High Gain
- 6.35mm single-ended
- SNR: >-116dB A-weighting
- THD+N:<0.00055%@20Hz-20kHz 2VRMS
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz ±0.1 -3dB@85kHz
- Output Impedance:<6Ω
- Output Power: 1600mW@33Ω, 290mW@300Ω, 150mW@600Ω, 1%THD
- Gain: +18dB@Low Gain, +28dB@High Gain
Network
- LAN: 10/100/1000 Mbps
- WLAN: 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz
Trigger
- Trigger in: DC 6-12V<10mA
- Trigger out:D, C 12V/50mA MAX
MA player
- Controller app: MA Remote App
Local playback
- Format supported: MP3 , WMA , WAV , AIF, AIFC, AIFF, AAC, FLAC, OGG, APE, ALAC, M4A, DSF, DFF, CUE
- PCM Sampling Rate: PCM 16-24Bit 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz, 705.6kHz, 768kHz; MQA 16-24Bit /44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz MQA or MQA Studio stream
- DSD Sampling Rate: DSD 2.8MHz, 5.6MHz, 11.2MHz, 22.4MHz
- Roon Ready: Yes
- AirPlay 2: The audio specs depend on the service provider
- DLNA/UPnP: The audio specs depend on the service provider
- TIDAL Connect: The audio specs depend on the service provider
- Spotify Connect: The audio specs depend on the service provider
- vTuner: The audio specs depend on the service provider
Power specs
- Power voltage: AC 100V-120V 50/60Hz / AC 220V-240V 50/60Hz
- Standby power consumption: < 5W
Weight & Size
- 8.82lbs (4kg(
- Size 13.39” x 10.20” x 2.28” (340mm x 259mm x 58mm)
What’s included
- RM4 remote control
- Power cable
- Quick start guide
- Warranty card