Matrix Mini i Dac, Anyone Got Or Heard One Of These?

Gareth82

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Hi everyone, i have just been reading through the latest edition of the magazine and noticed this DAC in there. I am looking to get a DAC in the coming months and like the fact that this DAC has got a built in headphone amp and also like the digital diplay that shows the bit-rate sample etc...

My question is, does anyone own one of these or has heard it working? The reason i am asking this is that although it got quiet a positive review in this months magazine i can't find any uk dealers that stock it. The only place i could find one was on ebay from china and i'm not so sure if it was to safe to order one from china as i know you can get hit with hidden import costs, plus i would of really liked to compared it to the Arcam rDac as it was the other DAC i was thinking of getting.

Any views/opinions would be of great help, Thanks
 

Gareth82

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Thanks for the reply. For some reason firefox won't display the link, i'll give it a try with internet explorer. Thanks as i would rather order from a uk company than get it from china.
 

MattSPL

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I have a Matrix Quattro Dac. Ive had it about 2 weeks now and i'm very impressed with it.

Tam Audio is the international distributor and partner of Matrix Audio. This is where i got my Dac from.

The Quattro is based on the Benchmark Dac 1 USB, with elements of the HDR including the ALPS volume control, yet it only costs £400.

It can be used as a standalone Dac, headphone amp and pre amp.
 

Gareth82

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Thanks for that mattSPL. I didn't know that Matrix Audio made other DACs. I'll check out the supplier you gave me and see what DACs they do. They seem to make stuff that is good value for money.
 
I've always bought hi-fi on a basic 'rule of thumb': If ever I'm in doubt about a particular product I always stick to brands (not quite as much now) I know or brands or makes that specialise in certain areas.

So for example Marantz: Love their amps, CDPs, tuners but would not buy a Marantz turntable. Likewise Arcam: Wouldn't ever buy their speakers in spite of loving their amps, CDPs etc. I'm not saying that Marantz don't produce good turntables or Arcam don't produce creditable speakers - they probably do. This is just my personal theorem...
 
Clare Newsome said:
Good job we don't come to reviewing with such preconceptions :O

Lord knows how your brain gets round a company like Rega, then :)

Made it very clear that's my personal take on short-listing, especially "if in doubt"...

Over the years I've been bitten (quite hard) a couple of times because I purchased a item which I assumed must be good. They were'nt. Took them back the following day - very red faced:O - and exchanged them.:shame:

Edit - May I add that you guys are very lucky (mean this in the nicest way possible) that you can contact a distributor or manufactuer and ask for a product for review, and more often than not, they oblige.

Would also like to say that I would guess - and this pure guess work and not based on any firm figures - that approx. 30% of all two-channel equipment WHFI S&V review has a very limited distribution network. A few examples being: ATC, Exposure, Astintrew, Harman Kardon...

That isn't in anyway WHFI's fault. As an individual who has only really a weekend to travel, I don't like the idea of clocking up a 300 mile round trip to dem something I may not like.
 

Gareth82

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Would you recommend me getting the Matrix Mini i or would i be best paying the extra and getting a rDac?

The problem i have is that the only place i can seem get a Matrix Mini is either from china on ebay or from Tam Audio who are a international dealer for Matrix and therefore don't seem to be able to have a demo of one.

My gut feeling says go for the rDac as i do like Arcams sound, but the mini seems good value for money and i would make use of the headphone amp plus i like the fact it has a digital display so i can keep an eye on things.
 
Gareth82 said:
Would you recommend me getting the Matrix Mini i or would i be best paying the extra and getting a rDac?

The problem i have is that the only place i can seem get a Matrix Mini is either from china on ebay or from Tam Audio who are a international dealer for Matrix and therefore don't seem to be able to have a demo of one.

My gut feeling says go for the rDac as i do like Arcams sound, but the mini seems good value for money and i would make use of the headphone amp plus i like the fact it has a digital display so i can keep an eye on things.

Based on the limited availability (as I mentioned in my previous post), rDac seems a better safer choice. Let's say, if the Matrix goes wrong or you don't like it: what's the returns policy of the UK outlets? i can just see it as a risk. Even if the Matrix is better sounding - probably only marginal - is it worth compromising 'peace of mind'?

Again, this is my personal view...
 

Gareth82

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I completely understand what your saying. I have been caught out in the past buying things blind and understand the importants in demoing something before you buy it.

This is my first dive into buying a DAC and the Matrix Mini was brought to my attention after reading the review in this months mag, but after i found it hard to track one down (and all the ones on ebay being from china) i thought about starting this thread to see how popular the Matrix is.

I guess, i'm more concerned about spending my hard earned cash on something that is the best value for money rather than just going for named brands as some things can be over priced and you tend to be paying for the name. Because the Matrix and rDac are in a simaler price bracket this is what made me pose the question as to which would be the best buy.
 

MattSPL

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Have a look over on Head-fi
Matrix are well respected over there.

I came across Matrix(mini-i) on ebay a while back and learnt more about them on Head-fi. So when i was looking at Dac's on ebay a couple of months ago and saw the new Matrix Quattro, i went back to Head-fi and found more info.

If your going for a Matrix, stretch for the Quattro. Its essentially the same as the Benchmark Dac1 usb/hdr which retail for £1000 or more.

Cheers
Matt
 

Gareth82

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Thanks for the reply. I think i will definately do abit more research on the Matrix products before i decide what i am going to buy. I know the rDac would be the more sensible and safer bet, but i don't always neccessary go for products just because of which brand they are, as i said before, i am more about getting the best value for my money.
 

MattSPL

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Unfortunately i haven't heard the Benchmark. I bought the Matrix on the strength of what id read previously about Matrix products, and because it is so similar to the Benchmark inside. Here's a few pics of the Matrix Quattro and Benchmark for you to compare.

The Quattro:

20110616110320605.jpg


20110616110332903.jpg


20110616110355530.jpg


The Benchmark HDR

dac1-hdr3.jpg


The Matrix Quattro is more like a Benchmark Dac 1 USB with a few tweaks and the ALPS volume control from the HDR.
 

MattSPL

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It drives the ATC's and my JL Audio sub perfectly, although you need to use the XLR outputs to get the most from your monitors.

The gain on the XLR's is adjustable internally like on the Benchmark, but not the RCA's.
The output off the RCA's isn't as good and doesn't drive nearly as good as the XLR's.
I adapted a pair of female xlr's and soldered the cables for speakers and sub into the single pair to avoid using the rca's.

I haven't tried the headphone outs :oops: But if you follow the threads on another forum i mentioned in this thread you will get the info you need regarding the headphone outs and comparisons with the Benchmark :)

Cheers
Matt
 

Overdose

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I currently use an audio interface to drive my Dynaudios, but like the idea of this DAC, as it can be used independently of the Pc.

After going down the active route, its unlikely that I'll be going back to passives or RCA connectors for that matter, anytime soon. :)
 

MattSPL

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Active is the way forward for sure ;)

It looks like the Quattro might work out well for you. Let me know how you get on if you go ahead with it.

Cheers
Matt
 

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