Matrix Audio element X2
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
92/100
Build Quality
84/100
Features Connectivity
90/100
Value for Money
94/100
Matrix Audio’s element X2 pairs punchy bass, expansive imaging and muscular headphone drive with the convenience of a genuinely complete streaming hub. HiFi News found its presentation open, precise and invigorating, while Enjoy The Music praised its musicality, control and ability to anchor both headphones and loudspeaker systems. Roon Ready networking, HDMI ARC and extensive digital inputs complete an unusually capable all-in-one DAC.
Pros
Open, spacious and highly musical sound with strong imaging, dynamics and controlled bass.
Powerful, low-noise headphone amplification handles demanding full-size headphones as well as sensitive IEMs.
Exceptional system flexibility: streamer, DAC, preamp and headphone amp with extensive analogue and digital connectivity.
Cons
Network-library indexing can be slow and prevents playback from other sources while it completes.
The supplied documentation is limited for such a feature-rich component.
Its substantial price increase over the original Element X is a notable consideration.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 92/100
Reviewers describe a highly engaging and accomplished presentation: open, punchy, dynamic and notably musical, with substantial soundstage scale and precise imaging. It combines strong bass control and transient impact with a clear, detailed presentation that avoids harshness in the systems reviewed.
Tonal Balance and Musicality
94/100
Gary Alan Baker praised the X2's “excellent timbre, tonal balance” and musicality, calling it a reference-quality streamer, DAC and headphone amplifier. Hi-Fi News likewise found it compelling, with a real sense of swing, immediacy and an invigorating, hard-hitting character.
Resolution and Detail
92/100
The X2 is repeatedly credited with added clarity and bite, while Hi-Fi News found the single-ended output peppier and more detailed. Reviewers also heard precise placement, space around instruments, explicit choral textures and solid imaging across complex recordings.
Digital Performance
91/100
The presentation is described as controlled and clean under demanding material, retaining definition as dense electronic arrangements build in intensity. Baker reported energetic live-performance excitement without harshness or distortion, alongside strong transient response and dynamic range.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
84/100
The review coverage describes a sleek rolled-aluminum chassis with inset side vents, giving the X2 a purposeful, premium physical presentation. Reviewers say little about internal construction, component implementation or long-term durability.
Features Connectivity
90/100
This is a genuinely comprehensive network DAC and headphone hub, with balanced and single-ended analog outputs, 4.4mm and 6.35mm headphone outputs, USB, coaxial, optical, I2S and HDMI ARC connectivity. It supports PCM to 768kHz, native DSD512, MQA, Roon Ready, AirPlay 2, DLNA/UPnP, USB and NAS playback, and streaming services including TIDAL, Qobuz and Spotify; reviewers also praised the improved interface and connectivity.
Value for Money
94/100
At roughly $4,399, Baker considered the X2's performance to be well beyond its price class, especially given that it combines streamer, server, DAC, preamp-style volume control and powerful headphone amplification. The all-in-one functionality also removes the need for an external digital source in many systems.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
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Specifications
- CPU
- NXP i.MX 6Quad Cortex-A9
- D/A Chip
- ES9038PRO
- Clock Source
- Crystek CCHD-950
- Coaxial & Optical
- PCM 16-24Bit /44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz\nDSD 2.8MHz (DoP)
- IIS LVDS
- PCM 16-32Bit /44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz, 705.6kHz, 768kHz\nDSD 2.8MHz, 5.6MHz, 11.2MHz (DoP)\nDSD 2.8MHz, 5.6 MHz, 11.2 MHz, 22.4MHz (Native)
- USB Audio
- PCM 16-24Bit /44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz, 705.6kHz, 768kHz\nMQA 16-24Bit /44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz MQA or MQA Studio stream\nDSD 2.8MHz, 5.6MHz, 11.2MHz (DoP)\nDSD 2.8MHz, 5.6MHz, 11.2MHz, 22.4MHz (Native)
- HDMI ARC
- PCM 16-24Bit /44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz
- RCA
- SNR: 106dB A-weighting\nTHD+N: <0.0025%@1k, <0.0030%@20Hz-20kHz\nFrequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz ±0.07 -3dB@43kHz\nChannel Crosstalk: >-102dB\nInput Level: 2.1VRMS Maximum
- XLR
- SNR: 131dB A-weighting\nTHD+N: <0.00012%@1k, <0.00020%@20Hz-20kHz\nFrequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz ±0.05 -3dB@85kHz\nCrosstalk: >-146dB\nOutput Level: 4.5VRMS@0dB,15.8VRMS@+10dB
- RCA
- SNR: 125dB A-weighting\nTHD+N: <0.00012%@1k, <0.00020%@20Hz-20kHz\nFrequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz ±0.05 -3dB@85kHz\nChannel Crosstalk: >-137dB\nOutput Level: 2.2VRMS@0dB, 7.5VRMS@+10dB
- 4.4 mm balanced
- SNR: 119dB A-weighting\nTHD+N: <0.00055%@20Hz-20kHz 4VRMS\nFrequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz ±0.1 -3dB@85kHz\nOutput Impedance: <12Ω\nOutput Power: 2600mW@33Ω, 1100mW@300Ω, 580mW@600Ω, 1%THD\nGain: +18dB@Low Gain, +28dB@High Gain
- 6.35 mm unbalanced
- SNR: 116dB A-weighting\nTHD+N: <0.00055%@20Hz-20kHz 2VRMS\nFrequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz ±0.1 -3dB@85kHz\nOutput Impedance: <6Ω\nOutput Power: 1600mW@33Ω, 290mW@300Ω, 150mW@600Ω, 1%THD\nGain: +18dB@Low Gain, +28dB@High Gain
- LAN
- 10/100/1000 Mbps
- WLAN
- 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz
- USB
- The USB port provides a maximum power of 5V/1A.\nThe USB port works with devices which conform to the USB mass storage standard and supports FAT, FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS file formats, but is not guaranteed to be compatible with all storage devices.
- Trigger in
- DC 6-12V<10mA
- Trigger out
- DC 12V/50mA MAX
- Controller app
- MA Remote App
- Format Supported
- MP3 , WMA , WAV , AIF, AIFC, AIFF, AAC, FLAC, OGG, APE, ALAC, M4A, DSF, DFF, CUE
- PCM Sampling Rate
- PCM 16-24Bit 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz, 705.6kHz, 768kHz
- MQA
- 16-24Bit /44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz MQA or MQA Studio stream
- DSD Sampling Rate
- DSD 2.8MHz, 5.6MHz, 11.2MHz, 22.4MHz
- AirPlay 2
- The audio specs depend on the service provider
- DLNA/UPnP
- The audio specs depend on the service provider
- TIDAL Connect
- The audio specs depend on the service provider
- Spotify Connect
- The audio specs depend on the service provider
- vTuner
- The audio specs depend on the service provider
- Radio Paradise
- The audio specs depend on the service provider
- HIGHRESAUDIO
- The audio specs depend on the service provider
- Power Voltage
- AC 100V-120V 50/60Hz / AC 220V-240V 50/60Hz
- Standby Power Consumption
- < 5W
- Maximum Power Consumption
- < 50W
- Weight
- 4 kg (8.82 pounds)
- Size
- Width: 340 mm (13.39 inches)\nDepth: 259 mm (10.20 inches)\nHeight: 58 mm (2.28 inches)
- RM4 remote control
- x1
- Power cable
- x1
- Quick start guide
- x1
- Warranty card
- x1
Manufacturer's Description — Matrix Audio
The evolution of elements
The element series music streamer, which represents the new design concept of「Matrix Audio」, is facing an update after they were announced three years ago. The element X2 will be a new start, it acts as a full-featured stand-alone source device for your audio system, and also brings your existing traditional two-channel system into the world of high-res streaming audio. Simplify your audio system and enjoy the music.
Perfect all-in-one solution
element X2 music streamer is a multi-functional audio source that can play local music files or online streaming audio. It has a built-in preamplifier and headphone amplifier, which can drive various of headphones directly, or connect to power amplifiers or active speakers easily. Besides of rich digital input ports, the element X2 even has a pair of analog input ports which allows you to connect vinyl turtables or CD players to it. The HDMI ARC input helps you get a better sound quality when watching TV. Roon Ready, UPnP and AirPlay are not absent as well. Excellent human-computer interaction, with the MA Remote App by「Matrix Audio」, you can easily configure your devices, browse and playback music files. For audiophiles looking for an all-in-one solution which has superior resolution and presents all the details perfectly, element X2 might be your best choice.
New UI New impression
The 2nd gen element series music streamer is equipped with a 3.46 inch LCD touch screen. When playing over the network, or playing local music via MA player, rich information of the track is displayed on the screen. The touch screen allows you to perform various operations more conveniently. The newly added playback touch keys make the new generation of element music streamers easier to use.
MA Remote App
It serves as the core tool for controlling your music streamers. By installing the MA Remote App on your iPhone, iPad or Android phone, they become the most convenient control centers, allowing you to browse and play your local music, enjoy high-resolution music from streaming platforms like SONY Select, TIDAL, Qobuz and HIGHRESAUDIO, Baidu Cloud,QQ Music,listen to exciting online radio stations. Even when music is streaming from Roon or other apps, you also can view the track information through the MA Remote App. Furthermore, the MA Remote App allows you to set every hardware configuration, completely changing the operation of an audio device.
Sweeter and louder
element X2 has built-in a superb pre-amplifier with +10dB analog gain. When the pre-amp is enabled, it can output high-quality audio signals up to 15.8VRMS, combined with Hyper-Control technology, let the entire output range keep ultra-low noise and distortion. It's no need to add an additional pre-amplifier, simply feed to the amplifier to achieve pure sound.
Full of power Full of details
element X2 has a built-in full-balanced headphone amplifier, which is composed of 8 independent amplification units, every 2 units are connected in parallel, provides higher drive current and output power with a very low distortion and noise, and better control of micro-details to the headphone speaker units. For element X2, there are no hard-to-drive headphones, just plug and play.
Everything In Your Hand
We take every detail of the product seriously, even the remote control is no exception. The new RM4 remote control has added playback control functions, making it more convenient to switch tracks, play, pause and other operations. With the 2 programmable buttons which can be set to your frequently used functions through the MA Remote App. The material of aluminum and plastic makes the remote control comfortable to the touch.
Digital and Analog Sources All-in-One
element X2 not only has multiple digital input ports, it also has added analog input ports. Vinyl turntables with line outputs, CD players or other devices with analog outputs can be connected to your modern digital audio system by element X2. There are high, medium and low input gain options available to adapt to the different output levels of the front-end device.
Early bird of TV Hi-Fi
We have added HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) input port to element X2. When connected to display devices such as TVs and projectors with HDMI ARC functionality, the digital audio from the HDMI signal can be transferred to element X2 for higher quality playback. If the display device supports HDMI CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) protocol, the playback on element X2 can be controlled by this display device.
Femto Clock Built-in
Digital audio is the art of time, a high-precision clock is the basis for accurate playback of digital audio. The element X2 has built-in a Crystek CCHD-950 ultra-low phase noise femtosecond clock, which can effectively reduce the jitter generated in the transmission and processing of digital audio signals, making the sound more realistic and the details more accurate. Laying a solid foundation for the good sound of element X2.
Asynchronous or synchronous, it's up to you
There are async mode and sync mode available on element X2. In the Async mode, the master clock of the D/A chip comes from the built-in Crystek CCHD-950 femtosecond clock, and the clock from the front-end device will be abandoned. In the Sync mode, the built-in femtosecond clock will be turned off, and the D/A chip depends on the clock of the front-end device completely.
Isolated Design
There are 2 independent power supplies dedicated for the ARM processor and the digital audio processing part of element X2. We put the 2 parts in independent circuit units, and joint them by several optocouplers to achieve complete electrical isolation. The audio circuit part uses an independent linear power supply to present a pure music background to you.
Highway of audio data
The element X2 is equipped with a Gigabit Ethernet port to ensure more stable connection when streaming high sampling rate audio files. Make the music data stream in your audio system smoothly.
Follow your way
Under good wireless network signal coverage, you can choose Wi-Fi connection. The integrated 2.4GHz and 5GHz dual-band Wi-Fi antenna, gives element X2 a tidy and clean appearance and a flexible connection option.
Get your pace
The newly added trigger ports allow you no need to turn the amplifier on or off manually, just let the element X2 work as a control center, and enjoy the music with a single touch.
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Matrix Audio element X2
- Absoulute Audio plus Video — in-store — Aiken, South Carolina, United States (website)
- A/V Solutions — in-store — Pleasanton, California, United States (website)
- A1 Futureshop — online and in-store — North Rocks, New South Wales, Australia (website)
- Abt Electronics — online and in-store — Glenview, Illinois, United States (website)
- Addicted to Audio — online and in-store — Epping, Victoria, Australia (website)
- Alen Audio — in-store — Extramurs, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain (website)
- All Elite Audio — online and in-store — Perry Hall, Maryland, United States (website)
- Altitudo Audio — online and in-store — Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (website)
- Analog Matters — online and in-store — Ormond Beach, Florida, United States (website)
- Apos Audio — online and in-store — Oakland, California, United States (website)
and 61 more verified dealers