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Author Topic: Matrix X-Sabre Review  (Read 33139 times)

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Marvey

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Re: Matrix X-Sabre Review
« Reply #10 on: March 16, 2013, 03:13:14 AM »
Well, I don't think we totally disagree - we agree on 7 1/2 of 11 areas!
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olor1n

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Re: Matrix X-Sabre Review
« Reply #11 on: March 16, 2013, 03:22:18 AM »
Chris, sorry if you read my comment on the building hype as an indictment of your enthusiasm for the X-sabre. It was just a generalisation of the impressions I've skimmed over at HF.

I've seen you mention that "tension" with regards to the Gungnir before and I think it's an apt description. I found the Gungnir very engaging on first listen. Forward and energetic with great bass slam. Over time though I found it too heightened, like the Grado illusion. Mine was etched, dry and grainy in the upper registers and had that distinct digital glare. Its lack of finesse in terms of micro-dynamics also contributed to the grating presentation.

It goes without saying that the end result is the sum of all the parts, but these irksome qualities were still present when the Mjolnir and HD800 were taken out the equation. The Gungnir was the culprit and the M51 confirmed this (just as the X-sabre has confirmed it for you in your rig).

The assessment of the Gungnir is relative to those other components, but it makes me question whether the PWD and X-sabre are ice-picks to the ear if purrin's Gungnir has the same presentation as the one I owned. Either that, or laid-back and sweet treble to his ears are grating and overly emphasised to mine. Odd.
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ROK

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Re: Matrix X-Sabre Review
« Reply #12 on: March 16, 2013, 03:25:12 AM »
I'm sitting here scratching my butt after reading Maxvla's comment damnit.
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Marvey

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Re: Matrix X-Sabre Review
« Reply #13 on: March 16, 2013, 03:28:47 AM »
I do wonder if the Gungnir I have may have undergone production changes. FWIW, it's been left on for over several days. It's more likely that the Gungnir's characteristics gel much differently with what I'm using (Fostex speakers and HE-500, both of which have a downward sloping FR and are laid back in the upper midrange around 5k-6k). I believe you guys use HD800s?
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olor1n

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Re: Matrix X-Sabre Review
« Reply #14 on: March 16, 2013, 03:31:34 AM »
HD800, LCD-2 (latest rev.2) and HD650. Also Audioengine A2 speakers (don't laugh, these things are really receptive to changes in source).
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Marvey

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Re: Matrix X-Sabre Review
« Reply #15 on: March 16, 2013, 03:52:16 AM »
Hmmm, I am puzzled though as I have no reason to doubt what you guys are hearing. I am feeding all DACs with JRiver re-sampling to 88 and outputting in 24 bit via JRiver though. I don't know if this makes a difference.
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Anaxilus.

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Re: Matrix X-Sabre Review
« Reply #16 on: March 16, 2013, 03:53:16 AM »
1-John's impressions of the PWD I read were favorable for the mk2, not the mk1.  So let's be clear about that.

2-I guess I need to bring over the Gungnir and give it a whirl in my rig.  Wouldn't want to invalidate the scientific method based on the possibility of two of the same SS devices sounding different.  Which can happen.  I'm surprised Max never experienced the BHA-1 getting warmer over time which others have also reported.  I have using the same SS amp.  So much for the predictability of SS (thermal drift?).

Besides, you can still change stuff in front of a DAC and make it sound different.   :-00   Sorry to piss on people's digital security.
« Last Edit: March 16, 2013, 03:59:55 AM by Analixus »
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Anaxilus.

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Re: Matrix X-Sabre Review
« Reply #17 on: March 16, 2013, 03:57:00 AM »
Quote from: purrin on March 16, 2013, 03:52:16 AM
Hmmm, I am puzzled though as I have no reason to doubt what you guys are hearing. I am feeding all DACs with JRiver re-sampling to 88 and outputting in 24 bit via JRiver though. I don't know if this makes a difference.


You mean you didn't do source bit depth and source sample for the review?  That would make a difference.
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Marvey

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Re: Matrix X-Sabre Review
« Reply #18 on: March 16, 2013, 04:00:49 AM »
No, I never do source bit. It's not a good idea when you do EQ and album replay gain because using source bit will decimate the data - in bad ways. I've always up the source sample rate to  x2 or x4 to the PWD. (And did so with all the other DACs.) Just a habit because I know some of the PWD filters will intrude into the audible band with 44k sample rate. Don't know if the phase shift at high frequencies will matter, but I didn't hear that much harm. I've always felt the PWD (1 or 2) was more liquid sounding with JRiver up-sampling.

It's really just tweaks which seem to work - at least for me. Some slight OCD is necessary of course. I'm sure you understand.
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Anaxilus.

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Re: Matrix X-Sabre Review
« Reply #19 on: March 16, 2013, 04:03:48 AM »
We should probably post the settings to the spreadsheet just for clarity.  I'm source bit/source sampled/replay gain disabled/no eq/WASAPI-Event.
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