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Authorized dealers for Matrix Audio element X2 Pure

  • 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

Matrix Audio element X2 Pure #1
Matrix Audio element X2 Pure variant 1
Matrix Audio element X2 Pure variant 2
Matrix Audio element X2 Pure variant 3
Matrix Audio element X2 Pure variant 4
Matrix Audio element X2 Pure variant 5
Matrix Audio element X2 Pure variant 6
Matrix Audio element X2 Pure variant 7
Matrix Audio element X2 Pure variant 8

Matrix Audio element X2 Pure

China flag
View at Matrix Audio
Specifications8 reviews & sources
89/100
Rating for element X2 Pure

Nicely Roasted

Sound Quality

90/100

Build Quality

87/100

Features Usability

91/100

Value for Money

86/100

With clean, vibrant detail, weighty bass and emotionally fluent timing, the Matrix Audio element X2 Pure makes a compact digital front end feel genuinely high-end. HiFi News praised its open imaging, microdynamic nuance and intuitive operation, while Part Time Audiophile found its presentation smooth, quiet and strikingly analogue-like. Roon-ready streaming, extensive inputs and variable preamp outputs complete a sophisticated one-box hub.

Pros

Revealing yet lively sound combines fine detail, strong bass weight, microdynamic expression and an engaging musical flow.

Versatile DAC, streamer and preamplifier functionality, with broad digital connectivity, balanced outputs and HDMI ARC.

Intuitive touchscreen, remote and MA Remote app support make it a polished, fuss-free network music hub.

Cons

The Pure version omits the headphone outputs and integrated headphone amplifier found on the standard Element X2.

One reviewer found the soundstage overly centre-focused and the neutral-bright voicing less natural than competing DACs.

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What Reviewers Are Saying

"It’s intuitive and responsive, and the slick operation is matched by an equally slick sound."

— HiFi News

SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 90/100

Reviewers consistently find the element X2 Pure open, detailed, clean and musically involving, with strong bass weight, fine microdynamic expression and convincing tonal colour. Its presentation is not universally faultless: one reviewer heard a neutral-to-bright balance and an unusually centre-focused spatial image, while the others praised its focus and wide imaging.

Overall Sound

90/100

HiFi News found the sound revealing and clean yet vibrant, combining fine detail and low-frequency authority with an easy, emotionally engaging musical flow. Part Time Audiophile similarly described a black, smooth and unexpectedly analogue-like delivery, while Audiophilepure praised its open, defined sound, timbral differentiation and microdynamics. WaveTheory agreed on strong resolution but heard a neutral-bright tonal tilt and a spatial presentation that compressed much of the image toward the centre.

Digital Signal Integrity

91/100

The unit uses dual ES9039PRO conversion in a dual-mono arrangement, a Crystek low-phase-noise clock, and shielding around its DC-coupled audio path. In listening, WaveTheory preferred asynchronous operation using the internal clock, reporting more natural timbre and more accurate spatial presentation; it also found no meaningful loss of performance when streaming over Wi-Fi rather than Ethernet.

FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 91/100

The element X2 Pure is widely appreciated as a flexible all-in-one network DAC and preamplifier, with straightforward operation and a notably broad connection set. Its Roon capability, responsive interface and support for TV audio via HDMI ARC make it particularly suitable for a simple, clutter-free digital front end.

Streaming Software

90/100

HiFi News describes the player as intuitive, responsive and a genuine pleasure to use, supporting long and fuss-free Roon listening sessions. WaveTheory also used it successfully as a Roon endpoint, and the supplied MA Remote app complements support for Roon Ready, AirPlay 2, DLNA/UPnP, Tidal Connect and Spotify Connect. HiFi News mentions minor niggles, without identifying a serious operational problem.

Features Connectivity

94/100

This is an unusually versatile network DAC/preamp, with variable or fixed balanced and single-ended outputs, USB-B, S/PDIF, I2S, HDMI ARC, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, trigger connections and USB storage support. Reviewers highlight its substantial input provision and preamp functionality, while broad PCM, DSD and streaming-protocol support makes it adaptable to both conventional hi-fi and TV-based systems.

Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.

Build Quality

87/100

The compact chassis is described as light but impressively made by Part Time Audiophile, while WaveTheory calls out its well-finished aluminium enclosure. HiFi News notes the symmetrical dual-mono internal layout and machined aluminium shielding, though the reviews offer little comment on long-term durability or mechanical robustness.

Value for Money

86/100

At approximately $4,450-$4,500, Part Time Audiophile considers the price reasonable for a streamer, DAC and preamplifier with this feature set, and regards the breadth of functionality as a central attraction. WaveTheory takes a less favourable view, calling it a little overpriced, so the price case depends on how much the buyer will use its extensive connectivity and integrated preamp functions.

Reviews & Sources

Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.

Online Reviews & Mentions

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Forum Mentions

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Specifications

CPU
NXP i.MX 6Quad Cortex-A9
D/A Chip
2*ES9039PRO
Clock Source
Crystek CCHD-950
COAXIAL & OPTICAL
PCM 16-24Bit /44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz DSD 2.8MHz (DoP)
IIS-LVDS
PCM 16-32Bit /44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz, 705.6kHz, 768kHz DSD 2.8MHz, 5.6MHz, 11.2MHz (DoP) DSD 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 MQA 16-24Bit /44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz MQA or MQA Studio stream DSD 2.8MHz, 5.6MHz, 11.2MHz (DoP) DSD 2.8MHz, 5.6MHz, 11.2MHz, 22.4MHz (Native)
HDMI ARC
PCM 16-24Bit /44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz
RCA (Aux Input)
SNR: 106dB A-weighting THD+N: <0.0025%@1k, <0.0030%@20Hz-20kHz Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz ±0.07 -3dB@43kHz Channel Crosstalk: >-102dB Input Level: 2.1VRMS Maximum
XLR (Line Output)
SNR: 131dB A-weighting THD+N:<0.000068%@1k, <0.000075%@20Hz-20kHz Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz ±0.05 -3dB@85kHz Crosstalk : >-150dB Output Level: 4.5VRMS@0dB,15VRMS@+10dB
RCA (Line Output)
SNR: 127dB A-weighting THD+N: <0.000076%@1k, <0.000085%@20Hz-20kHz Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz ±0.08 -3dB@83kHz Channel Crosstalk : >-139dB Output Level: 2.2VRMS@0dB, 7.5VRMS@+10dB
LAN
10/100/1000 Mbps
WLAN
2.4 GHz / 5 GHz
USB
The USB port provides a maximum power of 5V/1A. The 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 (Local Playback)
PCM 16-24Bit 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz, 705.6kHz, 768kHz
MQA (Local Playback)
MQA 16-24Bit /44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz MQA or MQA Studio stream
DSD Sampling Rate (Local Playback)
2.8MHz, 5.6MHz, 11.2MHz, 22.4MHz
PCM Sampling Rate (Roon Ready)
PCM 16-24 Bit /44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz, 705.6kHz, 768kHz
MQA (Roon Ready)
MQA 16-24 Bit /44.1 kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz MQA or MQA Studio stream
DSD Sampling Rate (Roon Ready)
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
3.9 kg (8.6 pounds)
Width
340 mm (13.39 inches)
Depth
259 mm (10.20 inches)
Height
58 mm (2.28 inches)
RM4 remote control
x1
Power cable
x1
Quick start guide
x1
Warranty card
x1
Built-in DAC
MQA Decoding
DSD Support
Ethernet
Wi-Fi
Hi-Res Audio
Balanced Output
Headphone Output
Display

Manufacturer's Description — Matrix Audio

An outstanding work of sincerity

element X2 Pure as a music streamer, which is a new member of our element sereis, welcome! To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Matrix Audio, we launched the element X2 Pure. The word "Pure" indicates "to achieve the purest thing", it carries Matrix's original intention of pursuing the pure sound, also expresses the design concept of simplicity that Matrix always believed in. We make the product more excellent, just for your picky ears, enjoy the music and meet the expectations of every listening.


Dual D/A synergy

The dual D/A design makes the best use of the chips and reaches perfection. The element X2 Pure is equipped with 2 pieces of ES9039PRO which is the new flagship by ESS. Each chip works in mono mode, every 8 D/A conversion units from 1 chip work in parallel, which effectively improves the dynamic range and reduces audio distortion, while making the circuit of left and right channels completely separated. Every appropriate design ensures an accurate reproduction of the sound, bringing more powerful audio performance and excellent listening experience.

The beauty of symmetry, the art of balance

The golden rule of industrial aesthetics can be found all over the product. The analog circuits of left and right channels have the same layout and components. They are designed exactly symmetrical. The analog circuit is completely covered by the CNC aluminum shield, which effectively ensures the heat dissipation of the op-amps and isolates the interferences. No matter inside or outside, the element X2 Pure exudes a pleasing and meticulous design.

Electrical isolation, no fear of interference

The digital processing and D/A conversion circuit of element X2 Pure is electrically isolated, the ground wire of digital and analog parts are completely separated. The D/A and analog circuits are powered by ultra-low noise LDOs to obtain an extremely high SNR and dynamic range, leaving the background of music as silent as deep space.

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.

Enter the world of streaming audio

element X2 Pure integrates various streaming services and local file playback functions, which can be used as an excellent audio source. Through coaxial, optical and USB connection, it can be an external DAC of CD players, digital audio players or computers, which improves the sound performance of your existing audio system.

Digital and Analog Sources All-in-One

element X2 Pure 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 through element X2 Pure. There are high, medium and low input gain options available to adapt to the different output levels of front-end devices.

Early bird of TV Hi-Fi

The element X2 Pure has an HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) input. When connected to display devices such as TVs and projectors including HDMI ARC functionality, the digital audio from the HDMI signal can be transferred to element X2 Pure for higher quality playback. If the display device supports HDMI CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) protocol, the playback on element X2 Pure can be controlled by this display device.

Sweeter and louder

element X2 Pure 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. When paring with the brand-new audio power amplifier element P2, there is no need to add a standalone pre-amp to the system. The matching design satisfies you with both visual and listening, providing abundant power to various speakers.

Asynchronous or synchronous

Async and Sync modes still available for element X2 Pure. In Async mode, the 2 D/A chips use the Crystek CCHD950 ultra low phase noise femtosecond clock as the master clock, and the clock from the front-end device will be abandoned. In 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.

Everything In Your Hand

The brand-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 touch comfortable.

Easier To Use

The element X2 Pure is equipped with a 3.46 inch LCD touch screen. The playback touch keys, the MA Remote App and the physical remote control make the element X2 Pure easier to use.

High Speed Transmission

The integrated 2.4GHz and 5GHz dual-band Wi-Fi antenna gives element X2 Pure a tidy and clean appearance and a flexible connection option. Equipped with a Gigabit Ethernet port, which gives a more stable connection when streaming high sampling rate audio files, ensures the music data transports into your audio system smoothly.

Ceramic Ball Vibration Buffer

The element X2 Pure is so lucky to be the first product equipped with CBVB pads. The core of CBVB is made of ceramic balls and silicone rubber. There are 6 ceramic balls in each pad to minimize the noises caused by mechanical vibration. The transparency of the sound is further improved, creating a wide and clear sound stage for you.

Top-notch components

We used KG series audio capacitors from Nichicon as the main filter capacitors of element X2 Pure. Its extremely low internal resistance and inductance can effectively match the energy requirements of large dynamics and continuous rich low frequencies playback.

O-core Toroidal Transformer

We customized a new O-core toroidal transformer which has silver-plated output wires with Teflon insolation. Compared with regular toroidal transformers, the circular cross-section magnetic core reduces the resistance of the transformer, which increases efficiency and response speed of the transformer.

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Verified Dealers

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Authorized dealers for Matrix Audio element X2 Pure

  • 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