Matrix Audio Element i2 - Hi-Res Streamer DAC

Compact High-Res Music Streamer, Dac & Balanced Headphone Amplifier

The Matrix Audio element i2 is a versatile high-resolution music streamer designed to bring network streaming, local music playback, high-quality D/A conversion and headphone amplification together in a compact, elegant component.

As the entry-level model in Matrix Audio's element series, the element i2 shares many core technologies with the higher models in the range, including a quad-core processing platform, Crystek CCHD-950 femtosecond clock and advanced digital audio interfaces. With balanced analogue outputs, a 4.4mm balanced headphone output, HDMI-free digital connectivity and comprehensive network streaming capabilities, it can serve as the heart of a modern hi-fi, desktop or active-speaker system.

Key Features

• High-Resolution Music Streamer & DAC – Combines network streaming, local playback and high-quality digital conversion in a single compact component.

• ESS ES9038Q2M DAC – Provides the digital-to-analogue conversion stage for detailed, high-resolution playback.

• Crystek CCHD-950 Femtosecond Clock – Ultra-low phase-noise clocking helps reduce timing errors in digital audio processing.

• Roon Ready – Supports high-resolution music playback through Roon.

• AirPlay 2, TIDAL Connect & Spotify Connect – Provides flexible access to popular streaming platforms.

• 3.46-inch Colour Touchscreen – Displays detailed track information and provides convenient control directly from the front panel.

• 4.4mm Balanced Headphone Output – Uses a four-channel fully balanced headphone amplifier architecture.

• 1,500mW Balanced Headphone Output – Delivers up to 1,500mW at 33Ω through the 4.4mm balanced connection.

• Balanced XLR & RCA Outputs – Allows direct connection to power amplifiers, integrated amplifiers or active loudspeakers.

• Gigabit Ethernet & Dual-Band Wi-Fi – Supports both wired and wireless network connections.

• USB, IIS-LVDS, Optical & Coaxial Inputs – Provides extensive connectivity for digital sources and external storage.

• MQA Full Decoder – Supports MQA playback through compatible inputs and services.

A Complete Digital Audio Source

The element i2 is designed to simplify a modern digital audio system without sacrificing flexibility. It can play music stored on USB drives or network-attached storage, stream from online services and operate as a high-resolution DAC for external digital sources.

Its analogue outputs allow the element i2 to connect directly to a power amplifier or active loudspeakers, while its integrated headphone amplifier provides a separate high-quality listening option. This makes it suitable for compact desktop systems as well as more conventional two-channel hi-fi installations.

High-Resolution Playback

The element i2 supports PCM playback up to 32-bit/768kHz through its IIS-LVDS input and up to 24-bit/768kHz through USB Audio. Native DSD playback is supported up to DSD512 through IIS-LVDS and USB Audio.

USB Audio also supports MQA and MQA Studio streams up to 384kHz, while optical and coaxial inputs support PCM up to 24-bit/192kHz and DSD64 through DoP.

Streaming & Local Music

The element i2 provides access to an extensive range of network music platforms and local playback options. Supported services and protocols include Roon Ready, TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect, Qobuz, AirPlay 2, DLNA/UPnP, Audirvāna, HIGHRESAUDIO and internet radio services.

For personal music collections, MA Player can browse and play compatible files stored on USB drives or NAS devices. Supported formats include FLAC, WAV, AIFF, ALAC, AAC, MP3, WMA, APE, DSF, DFF and other commonly used digital audio formats.

Precision Clocking

Digital audio performance depends heavily on accurate timing. Matrix Audio equips the element i2 with a Crystek CCHD-950 ultra-low phase-noise femtosecond clock.

The high-precision clock is designed to reduce jitter generated during digital signal transmission and processing, providing a precise timing reference for the DAC section and supporting accurate reproduction of musical detail.

Fully Balanced Headphone Amplifier

The element i2 features a four-channel fully balanced headphone amplifier and adds a 4.4mm balanced headphone output alongside its 6.35mm single-ended connection.

The symmetrical amplification architecture keeps the left and right channels independently balanced through the amplification stage. The 4.4mm output delivers up to 1,500mW at 33Ω, while the 6.35mm output provides up to 1,200mW at 33Ω, giving the element i2 enough capability to serve as a dedicated headphone listening source as well as a conventional streamer DAC.

Flexible Digital Connectivity

The element i2 provides optical, coaxial, IIS-LVDS and USB Audio inputs for integration with a variety of digital sources.

Its IIS-LVDS and USB Audio interfaces support exceptionally high sampling rates, while the optical and coaxial inputs provide straightforward connectivity for conventional digital sources. A USB port is also available for compatible mass-storage devices, allowing local music libraries to be accessed directly.

Intuitive Touchscreen Control

A 3.46-inch full-colour touchscreen provides an intuitive interface for everyday operation. When streaming music over the network or playing local content through MA Player, the screen displays detailed track information.

Dedicated playback touch controls make functions such as play, pause and track selection convenient directly from the front panel. The supplied RM4 remote control adds further control, including two programmable buttons that can be assigned through the MA Remote App.

Ma Remote App

The MA Remote App provides centralised control of the element i2 from compatible iPhone, iPad and Android devices.

The app can be used to browse local music, access supported streaming platforms, view playback information and configure the hardware functions of the element i2. This provides a convenient way to manage both everyday listening and more advanced system settings.

Wired Or Wireless Networking

For demanding high-resolution streaming, the element i2 includes a Gigabit Ethernet interface designed to provide stable, high-bandwidth network connectivity.

Where a wired connection is not practical, integrated 2.4GHz and 5GHz dual-band Wi-Fi provides a flexible wireless alternative while keeping the installation clean and uncluttered.

Features

• High-resolution network music streamer and DAC.

• ESS ES9038Q2M D/A converter.

• Crystek CCHD-950 femtosecond clock.

• NXP i.MX 6Quad Cortex-A9 quad-core processor.

• 3.46-inch colour touchscreen.

• Roon Ready.

• AirPlay 2.

• TIDAL Connect.

• Spotify Connect.

• DLNA/UPnP.

• Qobuz.

• Highresaudio.

• Audirvāna.

• Internet radio.

• USB Audio input.

• IIS-LVDS input.

• Optical and coaxial digital inputs.

• Balanced XLR analogue output.

• RCA analogue output.

• 4.4mm balanced headphone output.

• 6.35mm single-ended headphone output.

• Four-channel fully balanced headphone amplifier.

• Gigabit Ethernet.

• 2.4GHz / 5GHz dual-band Wi-Fi.

• MA Remote App.

• USB mass-storage support.

• MQA full decoder.

• RM4 remote control.

Specifications

• Model: element i2

• CPU: NXP i.MX 6Quad Cortex-A9

• D/A Chip: ESS ES9038Q2M

• Clock Source: Crystek CCHD-950

• Coaxial / Optical Input: PCM 16–24bit / 44.1–192kHz; DSD 2.8MHz DoP

• IIS-LVDS Input: PCM up to 32bit / 768kHz; Native DSD up to 22.4MHz

• USB Audio Input: PCM up to 24bit / 768kHz; Native DSD up to 22.4MHz; MQA / MQA Studio up to 384kHz

• XLR Output Level: 4VRMS @ 0dB

• RCA Output Level: 2VRMS @ 0dB

• XLR SNR: 120dB A-weighting

• RCA SNR: 118dB A-weighting

• XLR THD+N: <0.00025% @ 1kHz; <0.00035% @ 20Hz–20kHz

• RCA THD+N: <0.00035% @ 1kHz; <0.00050% @ 20Hz–20kHz

• XLR Crosstalk: >-138dB

• RCA Crosstalk: >-130dB

• 4.4mm Balanced Output: 1,500mW @ 33Ω; 950mW @ 300Ω; 500mW @ 600Ω

• 6.35mm Single-Ended Output: 1,200mW @ 33Ω; 260mW @ 300Ω; 130mW @ 600Ω

• Headphone Gain: +16.5dB

• 4.4mm Output Impedance: <22Ω

• 6.35mm Output Impedance: <11Ω

• Network: 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet

• Wireless: 2.4GHz / 5GHz Wi-Fi

• USB Storage: FAT, FAT32, exFAT and NTFS

• Power Supply: AC 100–240V, 50/60Hz

• Standby Power Consumption: <5W

• Maximum Power Consumption: <30W

• Dimensions: 240 × 259 × 58mm (W × D × H)

• Weight: 2.6kg

In The Box

• Matrix Audio element i2

• RM4 Remote Control

• Power Cable

• Quick Start Guide

• Warranty Card

Why Buy From Soundtrails

A modern streamer DAC should do more than simply access music services. It should integrate naturally with the amplifier, loudspeakers, headphones and network infrastructure that form the complete listening system.

At SoundTrails, our Audio Video Architects can help you integrate the Matrix Audio element i2 into a carefully matched hi-fi, desktop or active-speaker system. From product selection and system design to professional installation and after-sales support, we focus on creating complete, properly integrated audio systems rather than simply supplying individual components.