How To Setup Your Matrix Audio Element P

The Matrix Audio Element P is the only Element series streamer that's configured for speaker connections and playback. The Element P provides you with a 3-in-1 audio source, DAC, and speaker amplifier. Connect it to passive speakers and enjoy a complete Hi-Fi stereo system in one sleep package. The Element P uses a significant amount of what makes the Element X headphone amplifier and streamer so great. They both share the same timing clock, digital input options, and sampling rates of PCM up to 768kHz/DSD up to 22.4MHz. Mastered for MQA decoding and rendering, the Element P is equipped to deliver the original sound of master recordings with your system.

The Element P is equipped with a ES9028 Pro DAC. The ES9028 PRO is designed to meet the demands of high quality and performance that a SABRE DAC can give, but at a more economical price point. The inclusion of this chip over the ES9038 PRO+ is one of the reasons that the Element P is priced the way it is. The volume controls in the other Element models are either digital volume control (Element I & M) or hyper control relay array AND digital volume control (Element X). The Element P's volume control is a MUSES 73720 Resistor Divider. This volume control has incredibly low noise and low distortion with a resistance ladder circuit. This type of control is optimal for the linear volume control of Hi-Fi audio devices like the Element P.

The Element P is made with a custom Noratel 25W linear power supply designed for quiet operations and is equipped with Nichicon audio grade capacitors that filter and cancel any further potential for noise. This configuration is what creates the foundation of its fantastic sound quality. The amplifier is the ICEpower 250ASX2 class D amplifier module. This module from Denmark has a rated power output of 230 Watts per channel at 4 Ohms. This output is capable of driving small bookshelf speakers to small and medium standing speakers. Matrix Audio designed the Element P's linear power supply and placed it on the front end, instead of using the ICEpower module's front-end circuit power output.

By using a separate linear power supply on the Pre-Amp/DAC section of the unit, it separates the ICEpower amplifier power supply from the front-end circuit. This prevents the bleed over of any potential noise. It also means that both power supplies can operate at a more efficient rate. The separation of power supply duties is a plus for any circuit and is another reason the Element P sounds so good.

Double-shelled with an inner shell of galvanized steel and an outer shell of 4mm aluminum like the Element X, Matrix Audio sought to minimize the case resonance of its speaker streamer. By focusing on the materials that it's made of, Matrix Audio minimized the vibration of the player. This type of laser focus in engineering makes a minimally disruptive streamer with respect towards playing operations and output. As their only speaker streamer option in the Element Series line, the Element P allows for quick configuration and set up for any audiophile. If your speakers are on a bookshelf or are freestanding, the Element P will make them come alive.

We hope you enjoy all that the Element P has to offer.

• Digital-to-Analog Converter: Quad-Core DAC – ES9028 PRO
• USB Chip: XMOS XU216: PCM 16-24bit 768kHz, DSD 11.2MHz (DoP), DSD 22.4MHz (Native)
• Clock: Crystek CCHD-950 Ultra Low Phase Noise Femtosecond Clock
• Digital Input: Optical (x2), Coaxial (x2), IIS LVDS (x1), USB (x1)
• Line Out: n/a
• Speaker Out: x2 (230W @4ohm)
• Output Level: n/a
• Network: LAN: 10BASE-T / 100BASE-TX, WLAN: 2.4GHz/5GHz, IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac standard
• Sampling Rate Support: PCM up to 768kHz, DSD up to 22.4MHz; MA Player: PCM 768kHz / DSD 512; Roon: PCM 768kHz / DSD 256*; DLNA: PCM 768kHz / DSD 512
• Volume Control Mode: MUSES 72320, Resistor Divider
• USB Storage: TF Card Slot (x1), USB Host (x2)
• Supported Formats: MP3, WMA, WAV, AIF, AIFC, AIFF, AAC, FLAC, OGG, APE, ALAC, M4A, DSF, DFF. MA Player, AirPlay/DLNA, Roon Ready, Full MQA Support, IR Remote.
• Power Supply: Noratel Linear 25W
• Dimensions: 13.4” x 11.1” x 2.4” (340 x 281 x 60mm)
• Weight: 10.4lbs (4.7kg)

*Sampling Rate of PCM 768kHz / DSD 256 with Roon requires the latest A10301 firmware update. Earlier firmware versions support PCM 384kHz / DSD 128.

If setting up your device for a wireless connection, place you Element P in an open area of your home or in a location where the device will not receive interference from alternative wireless sources. For the most stable connection, we recommend setting up your Element P via a wired connection (LAN).

If you are setting up and WLAN connection, please install the antenna on the back of the Ethernet console in an upright position. If setting up a LAN connection, place an ethernet cable into the jack located in the rear, right-hand corner of the Element console. Connect the Element P to your ISP device.

Regardless of the connection configuration, download the Matrix Audio Remote application to control your Element P.

Once the Matrix Audio Remote is downloaded, plug in your Element P into the power supply, power on, and wait for it to be recognized by the Matrix Audio Remote application. There are three ways to connect and configure your device in the MA remote application: WLAN, Automatic, and Manual.

Your basic steps in setting up your Element P for the first time:

• Connect to power. The Element P is compatible with AC100-120V and AC220-240V power specifications. Please make sure to switch the bottom power voltage according to your local voltage environment before using (see the manual for graphics and more information). The two sections of the voltage switch are 115V and 230V, each section for:
  • 115V position is fit for AC100V-120V 50/60Hz
  • 230V position is fit for AC220V-240V 50/60Hz.
  • Please use the right three-phase power cable which includes the ground terminal and ensure the ground is reliably connected, or you might shock yourself or potentially damage the device.

• Connect the input source. Connect your front-end devices including S/PDIF output signal through the coaxial or optical port. Connect digital audio interface products through the IIS port.
• Connect to your speakers. Connect 4-8ohm passive speakers to the connectors at the rear of the Element P. Please disconnect the power supply before connecting your speakers, and make sure that the speaker cables are not shorted.
• Power on. The LED indicator will turn on following the connection to the power supply. By default, the device enters Standby mode when connected to power. Pressing the Standby button on the unit body or the remote control will power on the Element P, as signified by the LED indicator turning to a highlighted white color.
• Select the input source. Repeat pressing the menu button (three horizontal lines) and select the input channel selection menu. Then rotate the knob to select between auto, coaxial 1, coaxial 2, optical 1, optical 2, IIS, LVDS, USB audio, or network. Press the knob to confirm the selection. If you are unsure what input to select, choose “auto” and the device will automatically scan all digital input channels. The first connected input channel will be locked immediately. The Element P will continue to scan other channels until the current signal is lost. When there are several input channels being connected, the Element P will always choose the signal it detects first after scanning in the following order: COAX 1 > COAX 2 > OPT1 > OPT2 > IIS LVDS > USB > Network. When using network related music sources such as AirPlay, DLNA, Roon, or MA Player, please select Network as the input channel.
• Select the output channel. Repeat pressing the menu button (three horizontal lines) and select the output channel selection menu. You can select output channel between balanced headphone output, single-ended headphone, and line output. Push the button to confirm your selection.
• Volume Adjustment. The volume can be adjusted by the knob or the [speaker]- and [speaker]+ key on the remote control, and the screen will show the current volume level when adjusting. Line output and headphone output have different volume control levels, as well as the line level output can be configured as a fixed level output.

Note: Hearing protection – In order to protect your hearing and avoid being startled by loud noise, when the volume level is higher than -20dB, the volume will be recovered to -20dB by default after reboot. If the volume level is lower than -20dB, it will return to the same volume as you set the previous time following reboot of the device.