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Author Topic: Matrix Mini-I DAC Measurements (w/ dual AD1955s)  (Read 1404 times)

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Matrix Mini-I DAC Measurements (w/ dual AD1955s)
« on: April 12, 2014, 02:33:07 PM »



Test Hardware and Setup

-Matrix Mini-I DAC - Model with dual AD1955s. Using USB input with a generic USB cable from my compy.

-DIY Compy Game Box - i5 2500K locked at 4.5GHz, Biostar TZ77XE3 motherboard, GTX 780, Antec EarthWatts 650W Green PSU, Auzentech Bravura sound card, 4 140mm fans, goofy UV cathode lights in case, Fractal Design Define R4 case...overall, most likely not optimal for audio, but does well enough as an output in tests and represents a real-life scenario for many. Plugged into APC H10 power conditioner. I did run Fidelizer on it for the tests. Used USB 3.0 ports from the mobo, tested for which ones produce best results and use those. Generally does not cause issues.

-Creative X-FI HD USB (SB1240) - Takes line-out signal from DAC to line-in for recording purposes, powered by USB bus, plugged into Surface Pro. Unit is limited to 48/96KHz input/output.

-1st gen Microsoft Surface Pro - Records from SB1240 via USB. Running Fidelizer tweaks. Battery powered. Whizbang touchscreen doodangle for super-cool hi-tek-ultra computing experience. Produces cleaner and generally better results than running the SB1240 from the desktop as well

Software

RightMark RMAA 6.3.0, ARTA

Misc. Notes

*The Mini-I's performance is greater than that of the SB1240's ADC in most areas, but there is still some useful info to be gained.*

Creative SB1240 has a slight roll-off in the bass.

I do not guarantee 100% accuracy with these measurements.

Aside from special cases, like NOS DAC experiments or specific measurement requests, these tests/this thread represent the DAC measurements I plan on running from here on out (my "template").

Links

Matrix Mini-I DAC - http://www.matrix-digi.com/en/products/58/index.html
Creative SB1240 - http://us.creative.com/p/sound-blaster/sound-blaster-digital-music-premium-hd
RightMark Audio Analyzer - http://audio.rightmark.org/index_new.shtml
ARTA: http://www.artalabs.hr/
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Matrix Mini-I - 16/48 RightMark Measurements
« Reply #1 on: April 12, 2014, 02:38:02 PM »

Mini-I set to 16/48, ADC set to 24/96 to get a view of what happens outside the 20Hz-20KHz band. Keep in mind the Mini-I maxes out the SB1240's ADC in most areas (more so in higher resolution tests).

Frequency response (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB   +0.02, -0.06Excellent
Noise level, dB (A)   -97.5Excellent
Dynamic range, dB (A)   97.5Excellent
THD, %   0.0015Excellent
THD + Noise, dB (A)   -89.6Good
IMD + Noise, %   0.0042Excellent
Stereo crosstalk, dB   -96.7Excellent
IMD at 10 kHz, %   0.0061Excellent
General performance   Excellent

RMAA attachments will be in following order:
1. Frequency Response
2. Noise
3. Dynamic Range
4. THD
5. IMD
6. IMD swept
7. Crosstalk
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Matrix Mini-I - 24/96 RightMark Measurements
« Reply #2 on: April 12, 2014, 02:41:49 PM »

24/96 measurements. Mostly maxes out the SB1240.

Frequency response (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB   +0.02, -0.07Excellent
Noise level, dB (A)   -106.6Excellent
Dynamic range, dB (A)   106.8Excellent
THD, %   0.0016Excellent
THD + Noise, dB (A)   -92.5Very Good
IMD + Noise, %   0.0027Excellent
Stereo crosstalk, dB   -100.3Excellent
IMD at 10 kHz, %   0.0049Excellent
General performance   Excellent
« Last Edit: April 12, 2014, 02:50:24 PM by hans030390 »
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Matrix Mini-I - JTest, Square Wave, -90dB, and Other ARTA Tests
« Reply #3 on: April 12, 2014, 02:45:48 PM »

A collection of ARTA-based tests for the Mini-I. Unless specified otherwise, DAC was set to 16/48. ADC was always at 24/96. Results are attached as follows:

1. 24/48 JTest - Here, the Mini-I basically meets the limitations of the SB1240. Jitter is not a concern on this DAC, even from a gaming rig's motherboard and with a generic USB cable. Results are not quite as "clean" as the X-Sabre, but sidebands overall are a touch lower.
2. 1KHz square wave, -3dB - This shows us the Mini-I is using a standard linear phase filter with a typical amount of pre and post-ringing.
3. 1KHz sine wave at -90dB, 16/48, undithered - Results look good, or about as good as the SB1240 will show.
4. Above, but 24/48 - Looks good again.
5. 19KHz sine wave at both 0dB and -3dB, undithered
6. 13Khz and 14KHz sine waves at both 0dB and -3dB, undithered
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