Matrrix Audio has launched the TS-1 Music Streamer, a network player with onboard DA converter that also features analog and digital inputs. Analog music signal comes out via XLR and cinch. The front panel is equipped with two headphone outputs.
Matrix Audio TS-1 Music Streamer with DA converter
With the introduction of the M-Series a new path was formed to Matrix Audio Wonderland. The sexy lines of the Major League M-Series were recently transformed into the lower priced TT-1 and NT-1 Digital Streaming Audio transports . At High End Munich Matrix introduced three more models that continue this trend. The first is the Matrix Audio TS-1 Music Streamer
The Matrix Audio TS-1 is Matrix’ latest generation, all-in-one Music Streamer with high-quality built-in DA converter and headphone amplifier. With five digital inputs, the TS-1 is the perfect interface for the music lover who likes to combine quality with simplicity. Under the aluminum hood, provided with a beautiful perforation pattern and brand logo, lies a super-innovative and versatile piece of technology because the TS-1 can do a lot, a whole lot.
Matrix Audio TS-1 Streaming Audio
The TS-1’s main feature is without a doubt its powerful Streaming Audio platform that supports Tidal-Connect, Qobuz-Connect, Spotify-Connect and Internet Radio. The TS-1 is also Roon Ready.
Matrix Audio is rightly proud of its own MA Player for control, a fantastic and super intuitive and good sounding control app available for free for Android and iOS. MA Player gives access to all streaming functions, lets you configure the TS-1 completely to your liking and also serves directly as a remote control for, for example, source selection and volume. You can also easily connect the TS-1 to your network via the RJ-45 network port or built-in WiFi antenna.
Matrix Audio TS-1: Internal Storage
Of course, the TS-1 plays music from an external NAS just as easily, which it simply indexes with the MA Player app. The TS-1 (just like the TT-1 and NT-1) has another super smart option, which is an NVMe SSD Slot accessible via the bottom of the unit. Here you can place an SSD card yourself, with which music files can be stored directly, in the very best quality, locally ‘in’ the TS-1.
There is also the possibility to connect USB storage media to the TS-1. To do this, simply connect a USB HDD or USB SSD to the USB A port.
Matrix Audio TS-1: Digital and Analog Inputs
The TS-1 offers access to most digital sources. The manufacturer has mounted an optical and a coaxial input, as well as a USB B input and an HDMI input including eARC support.
In addition to the four digital inputs and streaming functions, the TS-1 also offers an analog RCA input. The MA Player app can then be used to determine whether the RCA input is used for a line source or a turntable.
Matrix TS-1: fixed or variable output level
The versatility of the TS-1 is not limited to the inputs; the output options also leave little to be desired. The TS-1 makes the analog signal available via both Single-Ended (cinch) and Balanced (XLR) outputs. These outputs can be set as fixed or variable as desired. In the first case, the TS-1 always plays at a fixed volume, perfect in combination with an integrated amplifier or preamplifier on which you control the master volume. Or set it to variable, in which case you control the volume of the TS-1 output directly in the app and connect the streamer directly to a power amplifier or a set of active speakers.
Matrix TS-1: Headphone Amplifier
Matrix Audio is known for its high-quality headphone amplifiers. The TS-1 also contributes a fair bit to the Matrix bag: a newly developed, high-bias amplifier circuit specially designed for high-end headphones delivers sublime detail and definition. The single-ended 6.35 mm jack output and the 4.4 mm balanced output are adjustable on two levels so that the TS-1 adapts perfectly, regardless of the type of headphones.
Matrix Audio TS-1: DA converter
Matrix Audio pays a lot of attention to the design of the audio circuit. Two AK4493SEQ DAC chips in Dual-Parallel mode form the heart of the DA converter. The complete digital to analogue conversion unfolds in a balanced design for maximum accuracy and dynamic contrast. Each DAC relies on its own power supply line, independent of the other for ultimate precision. A pair of Femto Second Clocks provide the reference frequencies of 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz sample rates, and their multiples. Here too, Matrix keeps the power supply line as clean as possible by providing the Clock with an independently regulated supply voltage.
The analogue and digital circuits are each mounted on a separate printed circuit board, with left and right separated and completely symmetrically constructed. In this way, interference is reduced to an absolute minimum and the ones and zeros are given all the space to be constructed as perfectly as possible into an analogue piece of music.
The Matrix Audio TS-1 is available immediately and has a suggested retail price of just under 2,700 euros.
