[batmanslc2]

I wanted to post a quick review of the Matrix Mini-i Dac and get the word out on this amazing dac.  Ok this is my first outboard dac and I am really blown away by the performance of this unit that sells for $375 from Pacific Valve. 

My main source for cd playback is Tosh 9200 or a Oppo 983, with my preference overall being the Tosh even though it is around 6 or 7 years old (stereophile class a fwiw back in the day).  I’ve been researching the digital forums on dacs and have been curious about the slew of new offerings in the market.  At this point I am using the tosh and oppo as transports feeding the dac.  No music on a hardrive (yet).

I was about to order a MF V-dac to get started down this road and then the Matrix popped on agon so I grabbed it after reading some good stuff at head-fi.   So it arrived and got it wired up to feed my MF A3cr preamp out to Quad 12L active monitors with an mfw-15 subwoofer. ….. then a BIG SMILE came over my face as I listened. 

Wow, no question more of everything was coming through…. First off had to dial back the sub a touch, STRONG bass.  Detail is improved, as is body and drive of the music.  Soundstage is what I always look for and the width is the same, but the depth and air around each instrument is better.  Highs are sweet and all the feeling, force is much more ALIVE.  I can’t seem to hear anything over hyped or downside at this point.  The musical presence in the room is amazing (not sure if that is the best way to described it) it just sounds more LIVE.  I guess that may be the increase in dynamics and the transient edges of the notes that are apparent.  Every disc I play is improved

Also, I listen a lot while I am in other rooms of the house such as kitchen or office.  I still can hear the improvement so I would not describe it as subtle. 

The sound of DRUMS of all types are amazing, the drums are in my room! 
So now I will start ordering some other dacs to try, I am very impressed and amazed at this one, ah but you know the vice,,, need to try more.  Still want to try a v-dac, ps DL3 and others under $500.

Music: Pat Barber, J Johnson/on and on, Clapton/reptile, Brubeck/Time out, S McLachlan/afterglow,

Other dac suggestions are welcome. 

[Mariusz]

Looking forward to your comparison between those DACs.

And here is the picture:



 

[batmanslc2]

well it so happens a V-Dac showed up on agon with better power supply so I grabbed it,  Hopefully I will have it for the weekend and can make a good comparison 

[Ramón]

Hi, very interesting thx

Here is a nice recent review and comparison of the matrix, dacmagic and dr.dac 2 http://www.headfonia.com/?p=4386

I have the matrix on my list too, i think of going the balanced route and using a dedictaed cMP² audio pc as transport with topnotch upsampling will outperform alot of more expensive units in the +1k$ class with high effective jitter reduction. If youre aware of jitter in the beginning of your source i think the matrix ( using aes input and going balanced from there ) is able to compete with those expensive DAC´s like Weiss etc.

A further comparison against other DAC´s here in this thread, that´s what i´m looking forward to. Any news yet ?

[batmanslc2]

ramon in case you missed it:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=80536.0

thanks for the link to that review, I had not seen that one.
I'm keeping the mini for now, Suits me fine