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Best Music Streamers, Servers of 2023 | Moon Audio

Element i2 Streaming Music Player

$1,580.00
In Stock

Element i2 gives you high-end desktop streaming with premium features for all your favorite hi-… More details

Best Music Streamers, Servers of 2023 | Moon Audio

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The Element series of music streamers from Matrix Audio are some of the most popular desktop music streamers on the market. And for good reason. The Element series is extremely easy to use, is equipped with tons of premium features, and the MA Remote App is an excellent way to access all your content remotely from your favorite mobile device. The Element i2 represents an amazing entry point for the Element series, giving you all the access to Matrix Audio's premium streaming experience with an integrated DAC and headphone amplifier.

The Element i2 gives you amazing clarity and detail in all your music with the high-end ESS ES9038 Q2M DAC chip, a fully-balanced headphone amplifier, MA Remote App integration, USB Audio, IIS-LVDS, full-color touch screen, and tons of other premium features. It's hard to find an entry-level device this premium at this price. The Element i2 headphone amp and hi-fi streamer is your perfect starting point for better music streaming.

Dragon Cable Recommendation: The Silver Dragon USB Cable is our best-selling cable at Moon Audio and the perfect companion for the Matrix Audio Element i2. The Silver Dragon USB transfers digital audio from a computer or portable device such as a Phone, Tablet, or DAP (digital audio Player) to a USB-capable DAC.

Matrix Audio Element i2 on Table
Entry-Level Streamer, Top-Shelf Sound

Although the Element i2 is the entry-level model for the Element Series of music streamers by Matrix Audio, it shares a wide range of technologies with other models in the series. This narrows the gaps in difference in specs between all models in the series, providing a tremendous value at every price point. The Element i2 has complete local and streaming music playback functionality, flexible input and output selections, and a variety of settings and configurations which makes it an excellent companion for your music, entertainment, and gaming needs.

Matrix Audio Element i2 Screen
A New UI for a New Generation of Music Streamers

The 2nd generation Element series of music streamers from Matrix Audio are equipped with a 3.46-inch LCD touch screen. The vibrant screen is able to display rich amounts of information regarding the track, artist, album, and more when playing over the network or playing local music via MA Player. The touch screen allows you to perform various operations from navigating track playback, the menu, and configuring settings. The newly added touch keys are also integrated into the glass panel and makes for a sleek and sophisticated user experience.

Streaming Powerhouse- All Your Music In One Place

If you have a large digital audio library, then MA Player allows you to browse and play your music from USB external storage or NAS with ease. If you prefer high-resolution online music streaming, then streaming programs like TIDAL, Qobuz, Spotify, and Internet Radio will provide a massive amount of content for you, if you have a subscription (TIDAL and Qobuz specifically). The Element i2 is also equipped with Roon Ready, DLNA/UPnP, and AirPlay 2 which bring you different music streaming experiences.

Matrix Audio Element i2 Local Music Playback
Local Music Playback
Matrix Audio Element i2 Local Network Streaming
Local Network Streaming
Matrix Audio Element i2 Online Streaming
Online Streaming
Matrix Audio Element i2 Internet Radio
Internet Radio

MA Remote APP - Control at Your Fingertips

You can browse and playback your local music files, online music stream from TIDAL and Qobuz, and even Internet radio stations through the MA Remote App on your iPhone, iPad or Android phones. The device configurations, firmware updates also can be managed by the app.

A Powerful Music Streamer Inside and Out

Matrix Audio added a 4.4 mm balanced headphone jack for the element i2, making it convenient to pair with various headphones. The built-in headphone amplifier has been upgraded to a 4-channel full-balanced architecture. The fully symmetrical circuit design allows the left and right channel signals to pass through a nearly perfectly symmetrical amplification circuitry. Providing plenty of headphone output power at low distortion and noise.

A New Fully-Balanced Amplifier

The Element i2 has a built-in fully-balanced, headphone amplifier, which is composed of 8 independent amplification units. Every two units are connected in parallel, providing higher drive current and output power with very low distortion and noise, as well as better control of micro-details to the headphone drivers. For the Element i2, there are no hard-to-drive headphones, just plug-and-play.

The New RM4 Remote from Matrix Audio

Matrix Audio has designed a new remote control for their second-generation music streamer. The new RM4 remote control has added playback control functions, making it more convenient and easier to switch tracks, play, pause, and other operations. With two programmable buttons, the RM4 can be set to control whatever you want - like frequently used functions through the MA Remote App. The RM4 remote is made with the same care and craftsmanship as the Element series streamers.

Matrix Audio Element i2 circut
Entry-Level Streamer, Not Entry-Level Performance

Despite being the entry-level model in the second generation Element Series of music streamers, the Element i2 is equipped with the same Quad-core CPU and digital audio interface chip as the other models in the series. This powerful processing ability lets the Element i2 process various sampling rates and audio files with ease. The Element i2 is a MQA full-decoder, giving you access to all the best - sound, performance, and components.

High-End Femtosecond Clock

Digital audio is the art of time and timing, and a high-precision clock is the basis for accurate playback of all your favorite digital music. Matrix Audio has designed the Element i2 with the CCHD-950 ultra-low phase noise femtosecond clock from Crystek, reducing jitter generated in the transmission and processing of digital audio signals. This makes the sound more realistic and the details more accurate.

Matrix Audio Element i2 ethernet
High-Speed Gigabit Ethernet Port

The element i2 is equipped with a Gigabit Ethernet port to ensure amore stable connection when streaming high sampling rate audio files. Make the music data stream in your audio system smoothly.

Matrix Audio Element i2 wifi
Dual Band Wi-Fi

The integrated 2.4GHz and 5GHz dual-band Wi-Fi antenna, gives the Element i2 a tidy and clean appearance and a flexible connection options.

What's in the box?
  • RM4 remote control
  • Power cable
  • Quick start guide
  • Warranty card

Matrix Comparison

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Matrix Element Comparison
Element i2
NXP i.MX 6Quad 4x Cortex-A9
ES9038 Q2M
Crystek CCHD-950
Storage
1x USB C

MA Player Integrated
MP3 , WMA , WAV , AIF, AIFC, AIFF, AAC, FLAC, OGG, APE, ALAC, M4A, DSF, DFF, CUE
Qobuz, Tidal, Spotify
AirPlay 2/DLNA
Roon Ready (in certification)
Full MQA Support
Inputs
2x Coax, 2x Toslink, IIS, USB B
Sample Rate
DoP 11.2MHz / Native 22.4MHz (USB DSD)
Up to 24bit / 768kHz (USB)
Up to 32bit / 768kHz (IIS)
Up to 24bit / 192kHz (Coax/Optical)
Line Out:
2x 3-pin XLR, 2x RCA
1x 4.4mm, 1x 1/4in
Output Level
1/4" 1200mW @33Ω
260mW @ 300Ω
130mW @ 600Ω

4.4mm: 1500mW @33Ω
950mW @ 300Ω
500mW @ 600Ω
Network
Ethernet & Wifi
IR Remote
Linear Power Supply
9.45 x 10.2 x 2.28 inches
5.73 lb
Matrix Element Comparison
Element I
NXP i.MX 6Dual 2x Cortex-A9
ES9028 PRO
High Performance Clock
Storage
2x USB A

MA Player Integrated
MP3, WMA, WAV, AIF, AIFC, AIFF, AAC, FLAC, OGG, APE, ALAC, M4A, DSF, DFF
Qobuz, Tidal
AirPlay/DLNA
Roon Ready

Inputs
2x Coax, 2x Toslink, IIS, USB B
Sample Rate
DoP 5.6MHz / Native 11.2MHz (USB DSD)
Up to 24bit / 384kHz (USB)
Up to 32bit / 768kHz (IIS)
Up to 24bit / 192kHz (Coax/Optical)

Line Out:
2x 3-pin XLR, 2x RCA
1x 1/4in
Output Level
1320mW @33Ω
248mW @ 300Ω
124mW @ 600Ω




Network
Ethernet & Wifi
IR Remote
Power Supply - Adapter Plug into 9VDC
9.5 x 8.7 x 2.2 inches
3.3 lb
Make a selection to view and compare specifications
Make a selection to view and compare specifications

Specifications

Hardware Platform
CPUNXP i.MX 6Quad Cortex-A9
D/A ChipES9038Q2M
Clock SourceCrystek CCHD-950
Digital Input
Coaxial & OpticalPCM 16-24Bit /44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz
DSD 2.8MHz (DoP)
IIS LVDSPCM 16-32Bit /44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 
352.8kHz, 384kHz, 705.6kHz, 768kHz
DSD 2.8MHz, 5.6MHz, 11.2MHz (DoP) 
DSD 2.8MHz, 5.6 MHz, 11.2 MHz, 22.4MHz (Native)
USB AudioPCM 16-24Bit /44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 
352.8kHz, 384kHz, 705.6kHz, 768kHz
MQA 16-24Bit /44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 
352.8kHz, 384kHz MQA or MQA Studio stream
DSD 2.8MHz, 5.6MHz, 11.2MHz (DoP)
DSD 2.8MHz, 5.6MHz, 11.2MHz, 22.4MHz (Native)
Line Output
XLRSNR: >-120dB A-weighting
THD+N:<0.00025%@1k, <0.00035%@20Hz-20kHz
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz ±0.1 -3dB@80kHz
Crosstalk: >-138dB
Output Level: 4VRMS@0dB
Output Impedance: 100Ω
RCASNR: >-118dB A-weighting
THD+N:<0.00035%@1k, <0.00050%@20Hz-20kHz
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz ±0.1 -3dB@80kHz
Channel Crosstalk: >-130db
Output Level: 2VRMS@0dB
Output Impedance: 100Ω
Headphone Output
4.4 mm balancedSNR: >-116dB A-weighting
THD+N:<0.0006%@20Hz-20kHz 4VRMS
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz ±0.1 -3dB@65kHz
Output Impedance:<22Ω
Output Power: 1500mw@33Ω, 950mw@300Ω, 500mw@600Ω, 1%THD
Gain: +16.5dB
6.35mm unbalancedSNR: >-114dB A-weighting
THD+N:<0.0008%@20Hz-20kHz 2VRMS
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz ±0.1 -3dB@65kHz
Output Impedance:<11Ω
Output Power: 1200mW@33Ω, 260mW@300Ω, 130mW@600Ω, 1%THD
Gain: +16.5dB
Network
LAN10/100/1000 Mbps
WLAN2.4 GHz / 5 GHz
USB
The USB port provides a maximum power of 5V/1A.
The USB port works with the devices which conform to the USB mass storage standard and supports FAT, FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS file formats, but is not guaranteed to be compatible with all storage devices.
MA player
Controller appMA Remote App
Local Playback
Format Supported: MP3 , WMA , WAV , AIF, AIFC, AIFF, AAC, FLAC, OGG, APE, ALAC, M4A, DSF, DFF, CUE
PCM Sampling Rate: PCM 16-24Bit 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 
352.8kHz, 384kHz, 705.6kHz, 768kHz
MQA 16-24Bit /44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 
352.8kHz, 384kHz MQA or MQA Studio stream
DSD Sampling Rate: DSD 2.8MHz, 5.6MHz, 11.2MHz, 22.4MHz
Roon Ready**Under certification test
PCM Sampling Rate: PCM 16-24 Bit /44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 
352.8kHz, 384kHz, 705.6kHz, 768kHz
MQA 16-24 Bit /44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 
352.8kHz, 384kHz MQA or MQA Studio stream
DSD Sampling Rate: DSD 2.8MHz, 5.6MHz, 11.2MHz, 22.4MHz
AirPlay 2The audio specs depend on the service provider
DLNA/UPnPThe audio specs depend on the service provider
TIDAL ConnectThe audio specs depend on the service provider
Spotify ConnectThe audio specs depend on the service provider
vTunerThe audio specs depend on the service provider
Power Specs
Power VoltageAC 100-240V 50/60Hz
Standby Power Consumption<5W
Maximum Power Consumption< 30W
Weight & Size
Weight2.6 kg (5.73 pounds)
SizeWidth: 240 mm (9.45 inches)
Depth: 259 mm (10.20 inches)
Height: 58 mm (2.28 inches)

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