Audiophilepure

https://www.hifinews.com/content/matrix-audio-element-x2-network-attached-dac

If all this sounds rather familiar from my Element X review back in January last year, then so be it. As I mentioned, the fundamentals of the audio design haven’t changed in this new ‘Mk2’ model, and while the internal tidying up does seem to give the newcomer just a little more clarity and bite to the sound, not to mention a punchier bass, most of the effort has gone into the user interface and the connectivity. But then there’s a real sense of ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it – just give it a dust down and bit of buffing’ about the Element X2. Nothing wrong with that, and the work done here makes an excellent-sounding product that little bit more enjoyable to use.

https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/dcs-rossini-apex-dac

We switch to Massive Attack’s Mezzanine and the dCS responds just as we hope. There is lots of detail and an impressive degree of organisation, but accompanied by a surefooted rhythmic ability that allows tracks like Atlas Air to motor along full throttle. Low frequencies are painted with power and grip with a good dose of agility thrown in. Move up the frequency range and you’ll find a wonderfully open and expressive midrange that communicates the passion and nuances in vocals superbly. 

Over our test sessions, we try the various digital inputs and different file types from 24-bit/88.2kHz PCM files of Michael Jackson’s Off The Wall and Stevie Wonder’s Innervisions in DSD to Beethoven’s 9th Symphony in 24-bit/192kHz, and the dCS takes it all in its stride. There are no hiccups when changing file formats and no unexpected differences in the way different formats sound. The Rossini Apex DAC delivers transparency of the highest order.

https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/dcs-rossini-apex-dac

We switch to Massive Attack’s Mezzanine and the dCS responds just as we hope. There is lots of detail and an impressive degree of organisation, but accompanied by a surefooted rhythmic ability that allows tracks like Atlas Air to motor along full throttle. Low frequencies are painted with power and grip with a good dose of agility thrown in. Move up the frequency range and you’ll find a wonderfully open and expressive midrange that communicates the passion and nuances in vocals superbly. 

Over our test sessions, we try the various digital inputs and different file types from 24-bit/88.2kHz PCM files of Michael Jackson’s Off The Wall and Stevie Wonder’s Innervisions in DSD to Beethoven’s 9th Symphony in 24-bit/192kHz, and the dCS takes it all in its stride. There are no hiccups when changing file formats and no unexpected differences in the way different formats sound. The Rossini Apex DAC delivers transparency of the highest order.

The Aquarius is also featuring a twin oscillator design, which “supplies” a constant temperature, always improving the unit’s performance. Aquarius also sports an O-type single crystal copper transformer as packaged linear power supply, resulting in low distortion and low noise. The linear regulator can isolate the digital and analog parts of the multi-level power supply, to ensure low noise and stable power supply voltage for the DAC.

Using the main control ALTERA high-efficiency chip, the audio signal transmission is not distorted, and the sound quality can reach the HIFI standard hardware. The simple design makes the signal circuit reach a more ideal state, and the sense of hearing is clearer and more balanced than the traditional design.

Tuning wise, the Aquarius offer a series of self-developed and designed digital filters, working in 16 X Over Sampling mode, each Level of filter has a 32-bit input resolution, which can greatly increase dynamic contrast, analysis, and more natural and delicate timbre, etc.