How To Setup Your Matrix Audio Element X

Yes, the Element X allows for external USB drives to be connected. Flash drives, SSD and HDD are all compatible as long as the main connection is via USB-A.

Please Note: Your music files on an external are local to the hard drive. Removing the hard drive will result in the files being removed from your library playback on the Matrix Audio remote application.

The Element X is equipped with 4-pin XLR, dual 3-pin XLR, and a ¼” TRS. You’ll need to make sure your headphone has a compatible connector. If you are not sure or want a custom cable created for your headphone, feel free to Contact Us and we’ll be more than happy to help you.

Yes. However, when the Element X is in balanced mode, it can only drive one pair of headphones. When the Element X is in unbalanced mode, it is capable of driving two single-ended headphones. The performance might vary depending on the power demands of each headphone, but we have not experienced any issue with the Element X being unable to power any headphones on the market.

No. The Element X has a built-in high-quality pre-amplifier. The pre-amplifier section can be made up of a +12dB low gain and a +22dB high gain.

Matrix Audio set out to eliminate the weaknesses of traditional analog and digital volume controls. The creation of a hybrid volume control combined the audio advantages of analog with the precision of digital control on the built-in DAC chips internal volume unit.

The antennas that come packaged with the Element X are Wi-Fi antennas. If you are setting up a LAN connection with your Element X the antennas will not be necessary for the operation of the device. Otherwise, you will need to install the antennas for wireless functionality. If you are setting up a WLAN connection and intend to use AirPlay and other streaming apps and devices the antennas are necessary since they assist your Element X in sending strong signals and achieving optimal playback through your device.

There are many factors that come into play when it comes to sound. Balanced amplifiers are not necessarily better than a single-ended one, but other factors in your sound system need to be considered before determining what it going to be best for you. Certain headphones might sound better with particular amps, but if you want to learn more about the main differences, head over to our guide on How to Choose: Balanced vs. Unbalanced Audio.  

The ES9311 is a low-noise, low dropout regular that is only configured in the Element X streamer from Matrix Audio. The regulator eliminates the need for output regulator capacitors, which is a first in audio system design. Along with the elimination of output regulating capacitors, it provides low-noise outputs that are required for the driving of the reference inputs of audio converters and offer fantastic value to audio system designers.

Yes, the Matrix Audio Element I, Element M, and the Element X are all Roon Compatible.

The Element X is equipped to be used by either a physical remote or a digital remote via the Matrix Audio Remote application for iOS and Android. Both the physical remote and the Matrix Audio Remote app for the Element X allows the user to power the device on and off, select the input and output, adjust volume, and select what PCM filter they would like to use.

Yes. The Element X will enter sleep or standby mode after the selected digital audio channel has no input signal and no operation for more than 5 minutes. To completely turn off the Element X, press and hold the power button on the right-hand side of your machine and wait for the display to fade to black.

The Matrix Audio Element X streamer is equipped with 7 different PCM filter options:

• Mod1_fast roll-off, minimum
• Mod2_slow roll-off, minimum
• Mod3_fast roll-off, linear
• Mod4_slow roll-off, linear
• Mod5_brickwall
• Mod6_hybrid
• Mod7_apodizing

These filters are known as dithering curves and they shape the digital signal of your audio. The Mod 2 and 4 filters smooth out audio, while Mods 1 and 3 are more analytical. These filters bring out the nuances contained in music genres like Americana, Bluegrass, Jazz, and Acoustic music. The other 3 filters all do something different. The brick wall filter (Mod 5) has a sharp roll-off, The apodizing (Mod 7) has a smooth roll-off and the hybrid (Mod 6) filter has a bit of both Mod 5 & Mod 7 in its filter.

The Element X supports direct access to streaming platforms Tidal and Qobuz. The Element X does not support or serve as a direct access point for streaming platforms like Spotify or Pandora Radio. However, to use said platforms and others follow the instructions below:

Connect your Element X via tablet, iPhone, and desktop or personal computer. Enable Apple AirPlay and select the Matrix Audio streamer that appears and have your streamer configured to USB audio or network as input. Begin streaming from the appropriate app’s desktop/mobile streaming page.

The volume for the Element X can be adjusted three ways, by the Matrix Audio remote app, the physical remote, or the turn dial on the right-hand side of the Element I. When you adjust the volume of your machine, the volume of the Element I increases and decreases by .5 dB.

**Please note: For every twenty-decibel increase or decrease in your machine, there is a small, almost inaudible click.

To connect Tidal or Qobuz on the Matrix Audio remote App, tap the streaming icon at the bottom of the app, select the appropriate streaming service you wish to connect to, input your username and password in the respective spaces and tap add in the right-hand corner of the app on your smartphone.

Reference the instructions below on how to change the PCM filter on the Element X with the physical remote, Matrix Audio remote app, and turn dial.

Physical Remote: To change the PCM filter via your physical remote, press the filter button on the bottom of your left. Watch the display on the Element X to see the PCM filter options change. There are 7 to choose from. Once selected, press the turn dial and the display will return to regular function.

Matrix Audio Remote app: To change the PCM filter with your Matrix Audio remote app, tap the remote icon in the upper corner of the app’s welcome screen. Go to the bottom of your remote and tap FILTER to select 1 of the 7 PCM filters and the streamer will display the filter you selected.

Turn Dial: To change the PCM filter on your Element X with the turn dial, press the button with the three lines next to it 3 times, turn the dial to the left to select 1 of the 7 filters when finished press the turn dial to return to the display screen.

To set the cover/images in the Matrix Audio Remote app and tap the settings icon in the bottom right-hand corner of the app. Tap the cover settings option in the menu that appears. 3 choices will appear to select from that are listed below:

1. Clear album cover image cache - This will display the album cover after the default image has been cleared.
2. Clear artist image cache - The artist image will display the default image after its cleared
3. Reacquire album art and arctic images - The app will re-cache the images in the background

The Matrix Audio remote app has two appearance modes: light and dark. The appearance is comparable to that of Twitter’s light and dark modes. To change the appearance of your app tap the settings icon on the lower right-hand side of the app, scroll down to the appearance theme, tap again and select from either light or dark mode.

For instructions on how to push music through AirPlay or Roon, watch the video below:

To update or check for a software update on your Matrix Audio remote app with these steps:

• Tap the settings icon on the bottom right-hand side of your app
• Scroll down until you see the “Check for update” option - on the right side of said option, the app will tell you whether your app is up to date.
• If an update is required: Tap the option to do so and follow the prompts to complete the update.

Change the PCM filter on the Element X with either the Physical remote, Matrix Audio Remote app, and the turn dial on the machine.

• Physical Remote: To change the PCM filter via your physical remote, press the filter button on the bottom of your left. Watch the display on the Element to see the PCM filter options change. There are 7 to choose from. Once selected, press the turn dial and the display will return to regular function.
• Matrix Audio Remote app: To change the PCM filter with your Matrix Audio remote app, tap the remote icon in the upper corner of the app’s welcome screen. Go to the bottom of your remote and tap FILTER to select 1 of the 7 PCM filters and the streamer will display the filter you selected
• Turn Dial: To change the PCM filter on your Element X with the turn dial, press the button with the three lines next to it 3 times, turn the dial to the left to select 1 of the 7 filters when finished press the turn dial to return to the display screen.

Find and download Matrix General Drivers, the DSD configuration guide, and their MA Remote download instructions at the following link