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  1. #1
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    Matrix Audio - X-SABRE Pro

    This dac seems like it'll be amazing. Has anyone heard it?

    Matrix Audio - X-SABRE Pro (MQA)

    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

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  2. #2
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    Re: Matrix Audio - X-SABRE Pro

    Some doubters will say the delta-sigma ESS chip will keep it out of the higher echelon of DACs...
    Rob
    __________________________
    Tascam BR-20; Technics 1506 with tape path upgrades, FM head, DeHavilland 222 tape head pre; Modwright Oppo 205 full tube mod w/LPS; Euphony Summus server, EtherRegen, HDPLEX LPS; MSB Discrete DAC (dual PS, ISLPro, balanced out); Pass Labs XP-12, XA60.8 (pair); Daedalus Audio Apollo 11’s, VMPS Larger Sub; Daedalus/Wywires, Acoustic Zen, Sablon Audio, Wireworld, Shunyata Research cables; Core Power Equi=Power;
    Adona rack, ​​​​​Stillpoints, IsoPods, ASC, GIK Acoustics accessories

  3. #3
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    Re: Matrix Audio - X-SABRE Pro

    Excellent DAC imo. I have the Element X. The measurements of this DAC is also phenomenal, if you believe in measurements.

    Review and Measurements of Matrix Audio Element X DAC/Streamer/Amp | Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum

  4. #4
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    Re: Matrix Audio - X-SABRE Pro

    I believe this DAC has been available for a few years now, unless this is an updated version. There are several on line reviews.

    Cheers.....
    INDUSTRY AFFILIATION: OWNER/PRESIDENT OF
    QUINTESSENCE ACOUSTICS
    www.quintessenceacoustics.com

  5. #5
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    Re: Matrix Audio - X-SABRE Pro

    Would love to hear / audition one of the higher end Matrix products. As was indicated above, they appear to measure very well. I've heard fewer subjective listening reviews, and of course they aren't sold by many bricks and mortar retailers. I do wonder if some of the energy or life of the music gets lost in the quest for measured perfection, but at the same time the engineer in me says mathematically perfect conversion can only reveal the truth of the source material. Hence the need for an audition with otherwise familiar gear!
    Jeff

    Main System
    Streamer/Server: Aurender N100H; Disc Player: Oppo UDP-205; DAC: Topping D90SE; Preamp: Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE Stage 2; Power Amp: ATI AT542NC; Speakers: Focal Sopra No. 3; Cables: Wireworld, Kimber, Cullin; Power: Ansuz Mainz8 X-TC, PS Audio Dectet, Furutech outlets

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  6. #6
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    Re: Matrix Audio - X-SABRE Pro

    I have had many Sabre Dacs. The Matrix has zero of the traits of being digital sounding as many Sabre DACs has been ridiculed with. On the contrary it sounds very smooth and analog'ish (didn't want to use the same cliche but couldn't find a better one) . Its not the best of the resolution and if you are looking for hyper-details, look elsewhere. Is it the best Sabre Dac at any price point ? Off-coarse No but if I am looking for a Sabre DAC at this $2k price range, I will not look elsewhere.

  7. #7
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    Re: Matrix Audio - X-SABRE Pro

    So in other words criticism of the Sabre DACs is misplaced, and should be directed at other parts of the chain than the DAC chip itself? One might notice that in fact there is a 9038Pro at the heart of my system...
    Rob
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    Tascam BR-20; Technics 1506 with tape path upgrades, FM head, DeHavilland 222 tape head pre; Modwright Oppo 205 full tube mod w/LPS; Euphony Summus server, EtherRegen, HDPLEX LPS; MSB Discrete DAC (dual PS, ISLPro, balanced out); Pass Labs XP-12, XA60.8 (pair); Daedalus Audio Apollo 11’s, VMPS Larger Sub; Daedalus/Wywires, Acoustic Zen, Sablon Audio, Wireworld, Shunyata Research cables; Core Power Equi=Power;
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  8. #8
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    Re: Matrix Audio - X-SABRE Pro

    It looks like a pretty good value. Appears to be prices at about $2300?

    It would be nice to see more companies start using ESS's latest audiophile chip. My A&K has this chip and the AKM flagship DAC in it. I personal prefer the AKM, but there is not a huge difference between them.
    McIntosh C49, MC152, MR85, R778 | T+A DAC 8 DSD | KEF LS50 Meta w/S2, KC62 (x2) | Rega RP8, Ania Pro, NEO PSU | Technics SL-1500C | Audio Technica VM750ML | Hexmat Eclipse, Yellow Bird, Molekula, Molekula Mini | Pro-Ject VC-E | Falcon NW PC Server (Roon Core & HQPlayer) | Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Roon Controller) | Abyss Diana Phi | Schiit Jotunheim 2 | Astell&Kern SE200 | Oppo BDP105

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  9. #9
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    Re: Matrix Audio - X-SABRE Pro

    Quote Originally Posted by rbbert View Post
    So in other words criticism of the Sabre DACs is misplaced, and should be directed at other parts of the chain than the DAC chip itself?
    Sabre DAC can sound very digital and has that glare/sheen. How you implement a DAC chip, power supply, clocks, analog stages, isolation around it are more critical in how a DAC sounds than the chip itself and Matrix Audio is a great example of an excellent implementation at a very decent price point, IMO.

  10. #10
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    Re: Matrix Audio - X-SABRE Pro

    ..

  11. #11
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    Re: Matrix Audio - X-SABRE Pro

    Different DAC chips will obviously sound different. Any change in hardware sounds different, however minor it is. My point is for a given DAC chip, the chip itself is less important in deciding the overall sound of a DAC. In other words, the same DAC chip in two different implementation can sound drastically different.

  12. #12
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    Re: Matrix Audio - X-SABRE Pro

    ..

  13. #13
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    Re: Matrix Audio - X-SABRE Pro

    Quote Originally Posted by Randy Myers View Post
    It would be nice to see more companies start using ESS's new 9068 flagship chip.
    Not flagship. ESS product naming is not that higher is better. Need to check the specs and chip price (although difficult to find). ES9038PRO and the mobile ES9038Q2M are also completely different products.

    This ESS product page clearly specifies that ES9038PRO (as used in the DAC being discussed in this thread stated in post #1) is the flagship. So there is no fear of being obsoleted by something newer and better (because it's only newer but not better).
    ESS Technology :: Audiophile DACs
    Peter Lie
    LUMIN Firmware Lead

  14. #14

    Re: Matrix Audio - X-SABRE Pro

    I see there was a cleanup in aisle 5....
    Micro Seiki SX-8000 air bearing table, SME 312s arm, SME 3012R arn, Dynavector XV-1s cartridge, Lyra Etna SL cartridge, ARC Ref 3 phono stage, Otari MX-55 2 track R2R, Ampex 350 tape repros, Roon Nucleus Plus music server, HiFi Rose 150B DAC, ARC Ref 6, ARC Ref 75 with KT-150s, Parasound JC5 amp , JBL 4345 speakers, Viero Equilibro Level 3 speaker cables, and Definitive Technology Ref subs.

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  15. #15
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    Re: Matrix Audio - X-SABRE Pro

    Quote Originally Posted by mep View Post
    I see there was a cleanup in Isle 5....
    Which island is that again?
    Rob
    __________________________
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  16. #16
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    Re: Matrix Audio - X-SABRE Pro

    Speaking of this DAC, I had it on loan a while back and yes it doesn't have that ESS harshness some talk about . Even had Peter ( Lumin) provide me with the connection methods to use the Pro with my Lumin. I found the bass solid, the midrange neutral and this dac in my system ( connected xlr's to my W4S STP-SE) was clean, detailed ,not harsh. I didn't play any DSD just PCM files from my USB drives and also used my CD drive.
    2chl : Vincent Sp331MkII, W4S STP-SE Stage 2, Kef 201/2, KEF 140, Vapor Breeze, Lumin, Bryston CD, BHA-1, Quicksilver Headamp, HD650, HD800s, HD820's, Dan Clark 1.1, Focal Stellia, OPPO 203, 105. ( Boxed up: Pass Xa-30.5, VPI Classic, Dynavector DV-20XL, Manley Chinook, Cadenza Bronze)

  17. #17

    Re: Matrix Audio - X-SABRE Pro

    Quote Originally Posted by rbbert View Post
    Which island is that again?
    I was wondering who would catch that.
    Micro Seiki SX-8000 air bearing table, SME 312s arm, SME 3012R arn, Dynavector XV-1s cartridge, Lyra Etna SL cartridge, ARC Ref 3 phono stage, Otari MX-55 2 track R2R, Ampex 350 tape repros, Roon Nucleus Plus music server, HiFi Rose 150B DAC, ARC Ref 6, ARC Ref 75 with KT-150s, Parasound JC5 amp , JBL 4345 speakers, Viero Equilibro Level 3 speaker cables, and Definitive Technology Ref subs.

    Reviewer for Positive Feedback

  18. #18
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    Re: Matrix Audio - X-SABRE Pro

    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

    Job INTegrated. Luxman L-595aSE

    NAD C 658 streamer.

    First Watt SIT-3, Job 250 Monos, NuForce STA200, AkitikA GT-102 amp, ASL Wave monos, Dennis Had 45 monos. Absolute Audio Labs PCF 25 amp (improved First Watt F7 super clone)

    Topping D90, RME Audio ADI-2 DAC FS, ModWright Ultimate Sony XA-5400ES.

    Burmester 948, McIntosh MCLK12, Kimber Kable, Siltech, Cardas, Avanti Audio cables.

  19. #19
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    Re: Matrix Audio - X-SABRE Pro

    I have this DAC in my collection.
    Sorry I meant to add it really is not a bad sounding DAC. I think the MQA has some merits after hearing it fully unfolded with the Matrix. It is on the analytical and dry side but for the money is excellent. Not close to my terminator plus but very good with similar characteristics.
    Marty

    Aurender N20 / SonicTransporter i7 / Roon
    MSB Premier
    Constellation Inspiration Preamp 1.0 / Mono 1.0
    Dynaudio Confidence 50 / SVS SB13 Ultra
    PS Audio Powerplant 15

  20. #20
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    Re: Matrix Audio - X-SABRE Pro

    The new version of this looks interesting

  21. #21

    Re: Matrix Audio - X-SABRE Pro

    Quote Originally Posted by pdxaudio View Post
    The new version of this looks interesting
    Agreed. The new X-SABRE 3 looks like a lot of DAC for the money, and even seems to be a direct Roon Ready streamer (wired and wireless) with very high accepted DSD resolution rates. Very interesting...
    Kevin

    Main: VPI Aries 3/Grado Reference3, and Aurender N200 > PS Audio DS DAC. Luxman L-509Z integrated amp. Sonus Faber Elipsa SE speakers. PS Audio P10 power. Transparent Audio, Cardas and Audioquest cables.

    Bar: EAT C-sharp/Hana MH, and exaSound s82 > Luxman L-595SE amp. GolderEar One.R speakers. Shunyata power, Audioquest cables.

  22. #22
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    Re: Matrix Audio - X-SABRE Pro

    Midfi at best. Recently revisited my X Sabre Pro MQA in my system and it just doesn’t have the resolving or finesse of the mainstream offerings. I use a Terminator Plus and no comparison. Due to a not to be named forum people jump on the “DAC of the Month” merry go around with infinitesimal measurements mantra and when they fall off they have a stockpile of almost unsellable gear. Hand raised!! These companies come out with something new about every 3 to 6 months to keep you hooked on the DAC crack. Sorry if I butt hurt members who may use some of these audio instruments I feel your pain. I cannot sell this massively heavy DAC paperweight now for less than half its selling price less than a year ago. Buyers beware. Humor given generously in above.
    Marty

    Aurender N20 / SonicTransporter i7 / Roon
    MSB Premier
    Constellation Inspiration Preamp 1.0 / Mono 1.0
    Dynaudio Confidence 50 / SVS SB13 Ultra
    PS Audio Powerplant 15

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