Audial S5b paired with Matrix X-SPDIF 2
I have been using the the S5b with the Matrix DDC and in my system I find it to be significantly better than USB input directly from my computer which was a surprise. The Matrix has a Teddy Pardo PSU.
I could not reliably tell the difference between i2s and Coax in my system they were very similar. I was able to toggle between the 2 using a remote control.
Anecdotally I have heard a lot of people saying SPDIF and i2s were better than USB. I can highly recommend the Matrix.
It is surprise to me, too. The S5b USB stage is of very high quality, but I will take your findings most seriously.
Also, can you please be more specific on the sonic differences?
Thanks.
I'll give it a try. Reviewing isn't really my thing.
Firstly a bit about the Matrix 2
Onto Higher Level
The newly designed USB Audio Class 2.0 asynchronous digital interface X-SPDIF 2, inherited the excellent quality from its last generation. You can connect the digital audio stream receive devices through the newly added IIS port, to avoid the loss caused by digital signal protocol conversion. X-SPDIF 2 built-in high-quality femtosecond clock and FPGA processing unit, it can playback up to 32bit/768kHz PCM audio stream and 1bit/22.4MHz DSD audio stream.
More Powerful X-CORE
The new generation XMOS U208 is an 8 core digital signal processing unit, it has powerful multi-core and multi-threaded processing capabilities, and it is the industry's most advanced USB Class 2.0 digital audio solution by far.
FPGA Control Centre
The strong XILINX SPARTAN FPGA assist XMOS manage and assign the clock, processing DoP transcoding and JITTER reduction for IIS port.
Audiophile Crystal Oscillators
X-SPDIF 2 uses 2 Accusilicon high-quality femtosecond clocks as reference clock source, which work at the state of 44.1kHz, 48kHz and their multiple sample rate. The FPGA automatically control the frequency assignment and switching, and the femtosecond clock has independent ultra-low noise LDO power supply.
Multi-level LDO
The power supply units of X-SPDIF 2 are constructed by multi-level, multi-group LDOs and solid capacitors, they can filter out the superimposed noise from power supply effectively. All the circuit powered by low noise or ultra-low noise LDO, which avoided the hi-frequency switch noise caused by DC/DC circuit. You also can obtain high quality power from USB bus.
Configurable IIS Port
X-SPDIF 2 support different standard of IIS, it can compatible for different devices by configuring the IIS definition switch. The DoP converting function transcode DoP audio stream to native DSD stream output from IIS port.
External Power Supply Supported
X-SPDIF 2 has a power supply interface, you can add an external linear power supply to it. It will disconnect the USB bus power automatically when you connect it to an external power, then the X-SPDIF 2 can work with mobile devices.
CNC Aluminum Chassis
In order to get the best electromagnetic shielding performance, to minimize the impact of mechanical vibration, X-SPDIF 2 still followed the CNC aluminum chassis design. We are not afraid of the complicated design and process, to make sure your computer can output high quality digital audio stream.
Features
Powerful multi-core and multi-threaded processing capabilities
FPGA Control Centre
Audiophile Crystal Oscillators
Multi-level, multi-group LDOs and solid capacitors
Configurable IIS Port
External Power Supply Supported
CNC Aluminum Chassis
Specifications
TECHNICAL
Optical/Coaxial/AES
PCM 16-24Bit /44.1kHz、48kHz、88.2kHz、96kHz、176.4kHz、192kHz DSD64(DoP)
IIS LVDS
PCM 16-32Bit /44.1kHz、48kHz、88.2kHz、96kHz、176.4kHz、192kHz、352.8kHz、384kHz、705.6kHz、768kHz DSD64/128/256/(DoP) DSD64/128/256/512(Native) NOTE: Please see the X-SPDIF 2 user manual for the IIS LVDS definition.
System Support Windows7/8/8.1/10 system needs to install the supplied driver. Mac OS X10.6.4 or above without installing the driver. Most Android devices can be used via OTG cable. The iOS devices can be used via Lightning to USB Camera Kit.
POWER
Power Supply Specs USB bus power supply: 5V/500mA External power supply: DC 6~9V，≥800mA Power supply port: outer diameter 5.5mm; inner diameter 2.1mm (+ for inner, - for outer)
That's all the technical stuff that gives an idea of what is included.
For me the biggest difference is a warmer tone using i2s, the sound stage is bigger with the singer seeming to be taller and further back. It's hard to put into words but i2s is relaxing, I find myself enjoying the music more and not trying to over analyse. In my system the Coax input is pretty much identical, I can't really hear a difference between it and i2s. It takes one of the best Dacs I have heard to another level and I'm so pleased to have discovered the Audial Dac (I can finally get off the Dac treadmill). It takes me much closer to my vinyl system where the cartridge alone costs as much as the Dac.
I am using W11 with the latest version of Jriver.
My recommendation is to get one (possibly a loan) and give it a try.
get one - meaning a Matrix.
Thanks for the comprehensive information.
As you probably know, the S5b USB stage is also an outstanding, master USB device with two low-jitter audio clocks fed by low noise supply, with galvanic isolation, all local linear supplies also for the USB decoding part, etc.
So I checked the Accusilicon clocks' specs, and it looks like they have about 7-8 dB lower phase noise than Crystek, all else being equal. I might also add that (I can't remember if I've ever told this publicly, so this might be the first time), the way the Crysteks are used in S5b improves their nominal specs for about 4-5 dB at low frequencies, but even then the Accusilicon could be a tiny bit better.
Also, the sonic difference you describe may be related to the I2S as a mode of operation. (S5b S/PDIF stage also communicates to the TDA1541A by I2S.) I know people who prefer I2S to simultaneous data protocol for TDA1541(A) for reasons that relate well to what you have written.
Anyhow, whatever the ultimate reason is, I would leave the setup the preferred way and enjoy it like that. The benefit of the S5b direct inputs is direct access to its D/A part from the external world so it can be tweaked and tailored further to personal preferences and particular systems.
I might once give a try to this DDC, although I do not think I have it nearby.
And, as a sidenote... I personally always strive to design all inputs, as well as the DAC as a whole, as good as possible. Recently I made a small unit, based on the last Audial USB Mk3 interface board (beside the A-link output from the USB board, it has an additional board providing LVDS I2S and S/PDIF output), both as a lab tool for S5b testing, and as a platform for experiments with different routing, modes, options, etc, and as a tool that helps to improve our understanding of how various parts affect the overall result.