# Matrix Audio Element:X - DAC/Amp/Streamer - Official Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** DACs and Digital\ **Tags:** high-end, dac-amp, matrix, streamer\ **Created:** [August 29, 2019, 10:55pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/matrix-audio-element-x-dac-amp-streamer-official-thread/3755 "2019-08-29T22:55:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 9
**Author:** ![bidn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.headphones.com/bidn/32/5296_2.png) [@bidn](https://forum.headphones.com/u/bidn)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2019, 12:17pm UTC](https://forum.headphones.com/t/matrix-audio-element-x-dac-amp-streamer-official-thread/3755/9 "2019-11-04T12:17:05Z")
Hi again Ramenik, BTW I recently subjectively auditioned some DAC- amps with the Utopia, incl. the Arche, I shared my impressions here: > [@Focal Utopia Open-Back Headphones - Official Thread](https://forum.headphones.com/t/focal-utopia-open-back-headphones-official-thread/23/76): > > Hi, I recently auditioned at my dealer the following DAC-amps with the Utopia, during 2h1/2: Questyle Twelve Master, Chord Dave, Benchmark DAC3, Chord M-Scaler -\> Dave and Focal Arche. The Utopia’s was the dealer’s demo version, but because he no longer had the same cable as mine, I brought my own Utopia cable, Nordost Heimdahl 2, to which I am used. I only had forgotten to take the XLR-4 --\> 6.35 mm adapter, so the dealer borrowed the adapter which comes with the Hifiman HE6se for those de… And if I remember correctly, resolve ( kind of the “official” youtube reviewer of the present site, and in my opinion a heir to Tyll Hertsen) uploaded a video review of the Utopia where he also reviews the Arche: [![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/headphones/original/3X/2/0/208fd4adf38551356fdb95163c740b71eb03b64f.jpeg "Focal Utopia Headphones Review - Still the detail king 3 years later? Featuring the Arche DAC/Amp") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ou6Gav-5aEs&t=9s) The DACs by Matrix Audio have such excellent measurements that I don’t see how the Arche’s DAC could match them. I wish I too could listen to Matrix Audio DAC but my dealer doesn’t sell them. Another possibility for you could be to postpone buying more expensive stuff and go in the meanwhile with the less expensive RME ADI-2 DAC. Its amp has the best measurement for low volume listening. I own and use the quite similar RME ADI-2 Pro, my short impression of the Arche was that its SQ is an a little bit behind but very close to that of RME. The advantage of the Arche in that it seemed very powerful, more than the RME, in which case it would depend at which loudness you listen. I think that RME has enough power for most people for driving properly Focal headphones. RME has the unmatched asset that its on device User Interface (screen, buttons.) allows countless settings and possibilities. But then its DAC is not as good as Matrix Audio’s… All the best, bidn --- _[View the full topic](https://forum.headphones.com/t/matrix-audio-element-x-dac-amp-streamer-official-thread/3755)._