Network Audio Players/Servers

Implementations of AKM’s two-part noise-shaper/DAC chipset have thus far been mixed [HFN May/Jun ’24 & Jan ’25], but Matrix Audio’s MS-1 is one of the better solutions. That said, while MA has previously ‘randomised’ the digital filter selections in its ESS-based DACs [HFN Dec ’23] I’m glad to report that only the ‘Slow’ and ‘Sharp’ linear phase filters (1 and 2 on the menu) are switched in this model. Cue one comically raised eyebrow.

Otherwise we are looking at textbook figures – the MS-1 realising a maximum 5.1V maximum balanced output from a low 10ohm source impedance, delivering a 118dB A-wtd S/N ratio from all digital inputs and a superb low-level linearity that’s true to within ±0.1dB over a full 120dB dynamic range. Distortion is lowest – 0.00006-0.0002% (20Hz-20kHz) – at maximum/0dBFs output, proving that both digital and analogue stages are not ‘stressed’ [see Graph 1, below]. Moreover, and possibly not unrelated, the MS-1 passes our new ‘intersample clipping’ test [HFN Dec ’24], suggesting it has about 3dB of digital headroom to spare. Jitter is fabulously low too at ~10psec over all sample rates regardless of whether used in native/PCM upsampled or PCM-to-DSD modes [black and red spectra, Graph 2].

Stopband rejection and response depends on filter. The linear- and minimum-phase (Sharp and Short Delay Sharp) have the same –0.2dB/20kHz, –1.4dB/45kHz and –3.4dB/90kHz response with 48kHz, 96kHz and 192kHz media, respectively, with a similar 104dB stopband rejection. By contrast, the slow-roll off types trade a limited 8.5dB stopband rejection and –8.5dB/20kHz, –10.5dB/45kHz and –12.6dB/90kHz response for minimal ringing/time domain distortion. PM.