If you have not already purchased the setup of your dreams, I would check out the Topping Dx7 pro. I have a Neve RNHP and I use it with the DX7 Pro’s XLR outputs and I am so happy with it. The built in headphone amplifier is very good but I prefer the Neve, at least with my Sony MDR CD3000 headphones. I am very satisfied with the listening experience.
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I’m going to revive this thread a little because I really don’t know where to put this and the Matrix really has no recognition at all in my opinion. I really feel this does fall into “what dac would I get and why?” Someone asked my opinion on the matrix x-sabre and I put in a paragraph and thought I’d share my two cents. Who knows, maybe the x-sabre and x-sabre 3 will get a little more recognition this time around, maybe not.
Here are my thoughts that I sent to another member and I thought I’d just copy and paste my thoughts when someone asked me these two questions:
is the matrix x-sabre PRO MQA worth every bit of 1999$?
Also have you followed the tech and company to know whether the x-sabre 3 is worth the extra 1k$
My response of course:
It was at 2300 but down to 2k with the upcoming release of x-sabre 3. Do I think it’s worth it, yes. Buy used if you can and your unsure. It’s neutral but has several built in filters to change the roll off and take some of the brightness out. Neutral as it presents the music the way it is, it does not color, warm or sharpen the music. Was there some glorious benefit from yggy to x-sabre and vice versa? no. I felt they were close to each other except the x-sabre has more functionality at a fraction of the size. I left the filtering at default. I’ve said it’s underrated and it is. Is it worth 1600 used, I think it should be 1200 to 1400. I was really nice and let one go at 1150 during my whirl wind of trying equipment. Should I have? no. Do I regret it? yes. I’ve tried the element x and it needed just a little more refinement, the streaming portion just wasn’t quite there yet. The solid state amp was good but when you come from tubes, it’s lacking but I’m sure I’ll say that with every solid state comparing to tubes. With the x-sabre 3, if they improve the streaming and interface (I still preferred qobuz interface over matrix app for ipad), plus add the filter to the remote like they did with the element x and improved the screen, then yes, I think it could be worth the 3k (and kept the same size +/- 10% as the x-sabre). Will I try it? maybe. If I try it, I’ll keep it regardless of any quirks.
Here’s some additional thoughts I had after a few days with the Chros Qutest. It’s good, it’s small. Little high on the price point for the limited inputs and functionality. I think the sound is better than the Bifrost 2 and on par with the Yggy and x-sabre but beats them for the amount of space saved. Again, for functionality and space, I’d personally choose the x-sabre any day. If the x-sabre 3 improves the streaming and interface, it’s a win win regardless of the 3k price tag.
One more thing about the x-sabre. It’s the best at handling a poor signal from optical. There is an option in there to change the dpll bandwidth to handle low signal. This has made my optical from my tv work flawless. Neither Schiit and Chord has been able to bring a probably not the greatest signal from a tv work with no glitchs, x-sabre has. To me, another big selling point.
My two cents.
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great summary.
Does the sabre stream? I thought it was just a DAC
The new x-sabre 3 is a streamer (dac first) with an upgraded high resolution interface, keeping up with the competition showing album art and streaming information. Updated internal wifi antenna’s versus the external in the element-x.
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