Matrix Audio MS-1 Music Streamer

Evaluating audio products from the dimensions of "listening" and "looking" has always been our consistent philosophy. From concept to design, every step contains the love for music and the pursuit of beauty. MS-1 is Matrix Audio's brand-new flagship music streamer. Its industrial design showcases our concept of simplicity. With hundreds of circular perforations of varying sizes and depths arranged in an array on the simple hexahedron, resembling rhythmic beats dancing and emerging on the surface.

The all-new M series marks a milestone for Matrix Audio as it advances towards traditional Hi-Fi systems. This series includes the music streamer MS-1, the preamplifier MP-1 and the power amplifier MA-1, forming a complete flagship system of Matrix Audio that presents our understanding of Hi-Fi audio. The M series is the first lineup to adopt the new Matrix Design language, serving as a precursor to the future evolution of Matrix Audio products.

The source device is the soul of an audio system. Hardwares contribute the body of MS-1, while software is the soul. We not only prioritize audio quality but also focus on the user experience. We simplify the human-maschine interaction and emphosize music info display on the device screen. We insist on allowing you to comfortably control your entire audio system from your listening position, picking up your phone or tablet to operate it through the MA Remote App, rather than frequently getting up to touch the device. Even from the basic functions like volume change, track selection and playback to configurations such as filters, operating modes and display brightness, everything can be done on the app. This is all supported by our meticulously developed MA Player software system.

This is a streamlined and optimized software system based on Linux. It is specially designed for Hi-Fi audio playback. Which is exclusively available for Matrix Audio's products. Today, MA Player has evolved to a new level, not only enhancing its playback performance but also introducing numerous new features, improving the interactive experience.

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, listen to exciting online radio stations. Even when music is streaming from 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.

You can let the built-in asynchronous upsampling and DSD conversion engine process all the audio data in digital stage. With asynchronous resampling and interpolation operations, jitters will be isolated and details will be improved. The DSD converter transforms all playing audio into DSD, enhancing sound density. The processing engine features adjustable PCM or DSD conversion configurations, allowing you to experience the sound differences under different settings.

MS-1 also works as a high-level audio transport that can output all playing audio as high-resolution signals through IIS-LVDS port. Including audio signals from analog input and phono input. Which enables you to connect to other DACs to achieve different listening experiences.

MS-1 has two pairs of line inputs and one pair of phono input. With XLR and RCA line inputs allowing you to integrate any device with analog output into the digital audio system. The built-in phono preamplifier supports both MM and MC modes, enabling direct connection to a vinyl turntable. All analog audio inputs are converted to digital audio through high-precision ADC, aggregated into the digital processing unit and applied PCM filters. These signals are also allowed to output from the IIS-LVDS port.

Equipped with comprehensive digital input ports, MS-1 can be used as a high-end DAC. With USB, optical, coaxial or IIS-LVDS digital inputs, it can be connected to computers, CD transports, set-top boxes, game consoles and other devices, allowing the audio from these devices to be output through high-quality DAC in MS-1, creating a high-quality audio experience at every aspects.

MS-1 Pre features a built-in preamplifier and a precision resistor array volume control. The preamplifier is composed of multi-stage op-amps, which has a +10dB gain and can output audio signals up to 16VRMS. It compatible with power amplifiers or active speakers directly. Providing excellent channel consistency and distortion characteristics even at low volumes. Additionally, MS-1 Pre offers a pair of fixed-level XLR line outputs, which can be used simultaneously with the pre-out. Enables you to connect it to other recording and monitoring devices.

Matrix Audio's first product based on AKM D/A solution, featuring dual AK4191 and AK4499 flagship D/A chipsets. Each chipset works in parallel in mono mode. The left and right channel PCB assemblies are mounted at two sides of the device separately, to form a completely dual mono design. Aiming to a precise signal reproduction and outstanding dynamic range, you can catch every micro details of sound, deeply restoring the essence of music.

The volume control is a critical factor affecting audio quality, ensuring lossless attenuation and consistent volume levels between channels is the prerequisite for good sound. MS-1 Pre has a built-in preamplifier which uses voltage-divider volume control by resistor array. Four high-quality volume control units composed of 64 precision resistors with 0.001 accuracy and 32 fully sealed reed relays which are switched rapidly by the MCU. This control method not only minimizes any impact on sound quality but also ensures excellent consistency between the two channels. The operation noise of the reed relays is almost inaudible even when changing volume continuously.

Clocks are the cornerstone of digital audio systems. Unlike previous Matrix Audio products, the MS-1 is equipped with a high-performance DPLL clock synthesis circuit. The ultra-low phase noise reference clock works with the DPLL circuit generates an clock signal with jitter as low as 45fs in real-time, providing a reference for the entire digital audio circuitry. If you have a higher-precision 10MHz external clock, you can connect it to the clock input port to enhance the performance of the internal audio clock.

In order to isolate high-frequency interference from switches and front-end network devices, we have added an SFP interface, enabling the music streamer to connect to the local network via fiber optic cables. With the electrical isolation properties of fiber optic transmission, the electrical connection between the front-end switch and the music streamer can be completely disconnected, ensuring a purer sound. Of course, we also retain the Ethernet port for convenient connection without altering your network structure.

In order to avoid the annoying experience of frequently plugging and unplugging USB drives, we reserved an NVMe SSD slot on the bottom of the chassis of MS-1. You can install an high-speed SSD as internal storage, avoid of using a 2.5" or 3.5" HDD, completely eliminating the impact of vibration and noise of HDD on sound quality. Music resources stored on the SSD can be maintained through network sharing, or copy the music files from the external storage to the internal storage through MA Remote App.

Power is the start point of an audio system. We customized two high-power toroidal transformers with square copper wire for the digital and analog sections of MS-1. Compared to traditional toroidal transformers with circular cross-section wire, square copper wire has a larger conductor surface, higher current capacity, and lower resistance, resulting in better transient response and richer low frequencies. Paired with the M-Lytic AG series filter capacitors from MUNDORF, it adds a silky smoothness and mellow to the sound. Dozens of low-noise LDOs and ultra-low-noise LDOs provide ample power supply to each circuit unit, even including the SSD, pursuing excellence at every stage.

The H-shaped structure is a unique design created by Matrix Audio for the M series products, born from two years of continuous optimization and improvement considering various aspects such as mechanics relationship, circuit layout, and exterior appearance. The 20mm CNC aluminum plate become the support structure of the entire device after dozens of procedures, serving as the core of the H-shaped structure. All components are mounted on the aluminum plate, and the entire weight is supported by heavy-duty feet installed on the main beam, making it solid and stable. After the panels are installed, multiple isolated cavities are formed with the main beam. Different circuit modules are properly placed in each cavity, effectively reducing interference between circuit modules. The circuit modules for the left and right channels are symmetrically arranged on both sides, creating a balanced visual impression.

The ingenious industrial design is an indispensable part of our product, flowing out the brand-new Matrix Design language from dots, lines and surfaces. Each component undergoes multiple delicate CNC machining and surface treatments, providing a exquisite and comfortable matte texture, allowing you to feel the unique craftsmanship in operation, displaying a distinctive elegant temperament.

The MS-1 has a pure sound with natural and balanced tone that remains true to music without any coloration. It accurately interprets every detail in the music with a rational and neutral attitude, providing your system with a clear source. Every detail of the M series embodies our pursuit of excellence. Everything you hear, see and touch is the final presentation by team Matrix Audio through continuous trial and fail, meticulous polishing, and careful calibration. We persevere tirelessly, striving to make things more beautiful and the sound more captivating.

Features

• Flagship streamer from Matrix's new M series
• Flagship dual AKM AK4499EX and AK4191 Velvet Sound DAC for reference level sound quality in Dual Mono configuration
• Built-in asynchronous upsampling and DSD conversion engine 
• MS-1 also works as a high-level audio transport that can output all playing audio as high-resolution signals through IIS-LVDS port
• Two pairs of line inputs and one pair of phono input (MM and MC)
• MS-1 Pre features a built-in preamplifier and a precision resistor array volume control. The preamplifier is composed of multi-stage op-amps, which has a +10dB gain and can output audio signals up to 16VRMS. It compatible with power amplifiers or active speakers directly.
• MS-1 Pre has a built-in preamplifier which uses voltage-divider volume control by resistor array. 
• Equipped with a high-performance DPLL clock synthesis circuit.
• SFP interface, enabling the music streamer to connect to the local network via fiber optic cables.
• NVMe SSD slot on the bottom of the chassis 
• Two high-power toroidal transformers with square copper wire for the digital and analog sections
• 20mm CNC H-shaped structure serves as the support structure of the unit
• External Clock Input 10MHz / 50Ω / Sine wave or square wave input
• Gigabit LAN and SFP
• USB port to connect to your drives 
• Roon Ready 
• AirPlay2, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, DLNA/UPnP 
• MA Remote APP
• Remote Control Included 

Specifications 

Support

• Manual