USED: Matrix – Element-X – Streamer Headphone & pre- amplifier, with Sabre ES9038PRO DAC

REVIEWS

Element-X is a top headphone amplifier, streamer, pre amplifier and DAC in one.

You can play your favorite music from an USB drive, NAS device or streaming service, like Tidal.

The Element-X can be controlled with the remote controller or Android App, which is especially developed for the Element series (an IOS app is still in development). You can also control different functions from the front of the device or with your favorite UPNP control point app for Android and IOS.

Listening to network streaming media has become a normal part of life today. The element series also enables you to play music from your smartphone or other mobile devices via AirPlay & DLNA for convenient wireless streaming.

The headphone amplifiers is balanced and is equipped with 3 outputs, one balanced output (4 pins) and two unbalanced outputs that can drive two single-ended pairs of headphones each having its own independent stereo amplifier. In balanced mode those two outputs can also drive one balanced headphones.

Next to that only top class components are used in all sections, from power supply to outputs, all in a beautiful case.

Features

• MQA full decoder, supports to 24bit/384kHz MQA audio via USB port.
• Next to USB, COAX, Glass Fibre inputs,  there is also an I2S (HDMI format) digital input present.
• Unlike other DACS, the Element-X can handle DSD via all inputs, and not just via the usual USB input.
• Can handle up to DSD1024 and PCM 768kHz/32bit.
• Crystek CCHD-950 femto reference clock for the ES9038Pro.
• ES9311Q ultra low noise LDO (voltage regulators), with separated supplies for the left and right channels of the ES9038Pro DAC chip.
• 7 different PCM filters for fine tuning the sound.
• No pre amplifier needed. Output signal can be amplified with +10dB of analog gain, for example to drive active speakers.
• Clear display with information about input used, audio bitrate, volume, etc.Duidelijk scherm met informatie over ingang, audioformaat, volume etc.
• Can be controlled with controls on the front, remote controller and app.
• High quality components, like: Noratel transformer and Neutrik connectors.

Specifications

• Size: 340mm(B) x281mm(D) x60mm(H)
• LAN: 10/100Mbit/sec.
• WLAN: 2.4GHz/5GHz, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
• Weight: 4,2 kg
• Color: Silver

MQA Support

MQA is a high-resolution audio encoding technique with a high sampling rate while ensuring small file sizes. The MQA is therefore an ideal format for enjoying high quality audio streaming.

ESS SABRE PRO

X-SABRE Pro is a DAC equipped with ES9038PRO D/A chip, that has been first put into mass production in China or even around the world. Matrix fully explored this advanced 8-channel D/A chip’s potential, compared to the previous generation ES9018S, ES9038PRO fully optimizes the internal DSP units, further improve the performance and customer use experience. We selected the excellent audio components and well-designed circuit layout to making X-SABRE Pro’s SNR reached an incredible -134dB.