Matrix Audio Element S

The Matrix Audio Element S represents a significant advancement in the world of high-end audio streamers. As Matrix Audio’s first dedicated streamer, the Element S stands out for its ability to seamlessly integrate audio streaming features into your existing hi-fi system. Designed with meticulous attention to sonic detail, it offers bit-perfect digital transmission to your external digital-to-analog converter (DAC). Its Roon Ready certification, obtained at the end of 2023, and compatibility with numerous streaming services make it a versatile device that adapts to all modern audiophile setups.

A Minimalist and Functional Design

The Element S features the clean design typical of Matrix Audio’s Element series. Its silver aluminum chassis, with sleek and modern lines, is accented by contrasting black fins on the sides. These are not just for aesthetics—they also serve as effective heat sinks, an important detail since the device can get warm during prolonged use.

The front panel is dominated by a high-resolution 3.46-inch touchscreen displaying an intuitive user interface developed by Matrix Audio. This screen not only allows you to control the device but also displays metadata for the currently playing track, including album art, title, artist, and other relevant information. This feature greatly enhances the listening experience by providing a visual context for your music.

With its compact dimensions and controlled weight, the Element S easily fits into any audio setup, even in tight spaces. Its robust construction and refined finish reflect quality craftsmanship, far from the stereotypes sometimes associated with Chinese electronics.

Exceptional Digital Connectivity

The Element S stands out for its rich digital connectivity, designed to work with virtually any DAC on the market. Unlike other models in the Element range that include a DAC, the Element S is exclusively a streamer and requires an external converter to produce sound.

The device features a USB DAC interface that delivers high-resolution digital audio signals to your external DAC, supporting PCM up to 32-bit/768 kHz and DSD up to DSD512. This USB output also benefits from a very low-noise 5V 1A power supply, processed by a multi-stage linear regulator and filtering circuit to ensure optimal performance.

For older or specialized DACs, the Element S offers S/PDIF outputs (optical and coaxial) as well as an AES/EBU output, all capable of transmitting PCM up to 24-bit/192 kHz and DSD64 in DoP format. The IIS-LVDS output is a particularly interesting option for demanding audiophiles, supporting PCM up to 32-bit/768 kHz and native DSD512. This output features a galvanically isolated design, separating the grounds of upstream and downstream devices to prevent noise transmission via the ground wire.

In terms of inputs, the Element S has a USB Audio port that turns your devices (computer, smartphone, or tablet) into true “digital turntables.” High-quality digital audio signals are thus transmitted downstream via this port, supporting up to 32-bit/768 kHz PCM and native DSD512.

Advanced Audio Technologies for Optimal Sound Precision

The Element S incorporates two Accusilicon femtosecond clocks with ultra-low phase noise, operating at 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz (and their multiples). An FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) coordinates these clocks and manages the frequencies to ensure high-quality digital audio with extremely low jitter, allowing even the finest musical details to be reproduced.

This particular attention to timing precision is no accident. In digital audio, jitter is one of the main factors in signal degradation. By minimizing this phenomenon, the Element S ensures bit-perfect transmission of musical data to your DAC, thus preserving the integrity of the original signal.

Galvanic isolation between the source device and the DAC is another notable technical innovation. This electrical separation prevents the propagation of ground noise and other electromagnetic interference, contributing to a quieter background and more faithful reproduction.

A Complete and Intuitive Software Ecosystem

The Element S is powered by MA Player, a software architecture developed specifically by Matrix Audio for its streamers. This high-quality digital audio playback and management system lets you directly control Matrix Audio devices connected to your network from your smartphone or tablet, and easily browse your music library.

The MA Remote mobile app, available free for iOS and Android devices, is the main interface for the Element S. It allows you to browse and play music from your local library, as well as enjoy numerous streaming services and web radio stations. The app also lets you update the Element S firmware, ensuring your device stays current with the latest software improvements.

MA Player supports DLNA/UPnP, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, and Roon protocols for high-resolution audio streaming over a local network. This versatility allows you to integrate the Element S into virtually any existing audio ecosystem.

Robust Network Connectivity for Seamless Streaming

The Element S features a Gigabit Ethernet port, offering optimal stability and transmission speed for high-definition streams. If you prefer a wireless connection, the device is also equipped with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) with a built-in internal antenna.

This dual network connectivity ensures maximum flexibility during installation. For the most demanding audiophiles, Ethernet remains recommended for its superior stability, which is especially important when playing high-resolution or DSD audio files. Wi-Fi, on the other hand, offers a convenient solution when wired access isn’t possible, while still maintaining satisfactory transmission quality for most uses.

The Element S supports a wide range of audio file formats, including MP3, WMA, WAV, AIFC, AIFF, AAC, FLAC, OGG, APE, ALAC, M4A, DSF, DFF, and CUE. This extensive compatibility allows you to access your entire music library, regardless of the format used.

Technical Specifications

General Specifications

• Processor: Quad Cortex-A55 2.0 GHz
• DAC Chip: ES9039Q2M
• Power supply voltage: 100-240 V AC 50/60 Hz
• Standby power consumption: < 5 W
• Maximum power consumption: < 20 W
• Dimensions: 224 x 186 x 53 mm
• Weight: 1.3 kg

Digital Audio

• Supported sampling rates:
  • Coaxial and optical: PCM 24-bit 192 kHz and DSD64 (2.8 MHz DoP)
  • HDMI ARC: PCM 24-bit 192 kHz
  • USB Audio: PCM 24-bit 768 kHz / MQA 24-bit 192 kHz, MQA or MQA Studio stream 384 kHz / DSD256 (11.2 MHz DoP) & DSD512 (22.4 MHz native)
• Supported local file formats: MP3, WMA, WAV, AIF, AIFC, AIFF, AAC, FLAC, OGG, APE, ALAC, M4A, DSF, DFF, CUE
• Supported local sampling rates: PCM 24-bit 768 kHz / DSD512 (native) / MQA 24-bit 192 kHz, MQA or MQA Studio stream 384 kHz
• Roon ready: PCM 24-bit 768 kHz / DSD512 (native) / MQA 24-bit 192 kHz, MQA or MQA Studio stream 384 kHz

Network and Connectivity

• LAN network: 1000 Mbit/s
• Gigabit Ethernet for stable high-resolution audio transmission
• Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) with built-in internal antenna
• Supported protocols and services: Airplay 2, DLNA / UPnP, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, vTuner, Paradise Radio, HighRes Audio

User Interface

• Integrated touchscreen:
  • Size: 8.79 cm (3.46 inches)
  • High resolution
  • Displays Matrix Audio user interface
  • Displays music metadata: album cover, title, artist, etc.

Software and Applications

• MA Player:
  • Audio control system developed by Matrix Audio
  • Control via smartphone or tablet
  • Playback of local music (NAS, USB) and streaming
  • Integrates Roon Ready, DLNA / UPnP, QPlay, AirPlay 2, QQ Music, NetEase Cloud Music, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Audirvāna
• MA Remote App:
  • Available for iPhone, iPad, and Android
  • Browse and play local music, access TIDAL, Qobuz, HIGHRESAUDIO
  • Listen to Internet radio stations
  • Manage settings and firmware updates

Connectivity

• Digital inputs:
  • USB-B
  • Coaxial
  • Toslink optical
  • USB-C (5 V / 1.5 A)
  • HDMI ARC
  • RJ45
• Analog input:
  • Stereo RCA
• Analog outputs:
  • 1x Stereo RCA
  • 1x Balanced stereo XLR

Advanced Audio Technologies

• Digital connectivity:
  • USB DAC interface: bit-perfect high-resolution PCM and DSD digital audio output
  • Ultra-low noise 5 V / 1 A USB power supply thanks to linear regulator and advanced filter
  • S/PDIF outputs: optical, coaxial, AES/EBU supporting PCM up to 24-bit / 192 kHz, DSD64 in DoP
  • IIS-LVDS output: supports PCM up to 32-bit / 768 kHz and DSD512
  • USB Audio port: turns a computer, smartphone, or tablet into a high-end digital source
• Dual-frequency Accusilicon femtosecond clocks:
  • Ultra-low phase noise
  • Two clocks for 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz sampling rates (and multiples)
  • Managed and synchronized by FPGA for ultra-low jitter
• Galvanic isolation between source device and DAC to reduce ground noise

Box Contents

• 1x Matrix Audio Mini-I 4
• 1x Power cable