When it comes to sourcing pure, uncompromised audio, few products stand out like the Matrix Audio element X2 Pure Music Streamer. In this Matrix Audio element X2 Pure Music Streamer Review, we explore how Matrix Audio’s flagship streamer elevates your listening experience to new heights, offering the perfect blend of cutting-edge engineering and intuitive design.

Design and Build Quality

The element X2 Pure wears its engineering excellence on its sleeve. The CNC-machined aluminium chassis exudes industrial elegance, while the gold-rule symmetry of left/right analog circuits isn’t just aesthetic—it eliminates channel imbalance at source. Inside, a full aluminium RF shield covers the analog stage, ensuring op-amps remain cool and interference-free. Six Ceramic Ball Vibration Buffer (CBVB) pads cradle the unit, decoupling mechanical resonance for a quieter background noise floor.

Dual D/A Synergy and Clocking Mastery

At its heart, the X2 Pure employs dual ES9039PRO flagship DAC chips from ESS, each operating in mono-mode with eight D/A units in parallel. This architecture delivers a dynamic range that soars beyond 130dB and THD+N figures below 0.00007%, yielding a spacious soundstage with razor-sharp detail. The Crystek CCHD-950 femtosecond clock governs the asynchronous mode, crushing jitter to near-zero, while the option to sync with an external clock offers flexible integration into advanced systems.

Connectivity and Streaming Ecosystem

The element X2 Pure caters to every source imaginable. Digital inputs include dual coaxial, optical, IIS-LVDS and USB Type-B supporting PCM up to 768kHz, DSD Native to 22.4MHz and MQA decoding at full unfold. HDMI ARC brings TV audio into the hi-fi domain, while analogue RCA inputs accommodate vinyl front-ends or legacy CD players. Networking is seamless via dual-band Wi-Fi or Gigabit Ethernet, and Roon Ready certification ensures tight integration for multi-zone streaming. Browse your library or favourite streaming services—TIDAL, Qobuz, Spotify Connect and more—through the intuitive MA Remote App or the 3.46” LCD touchscreen. Discover full specs and ordering details on our product page.

Performance in the Listening Room

From delicate piano timbres to thunderous orchestral crescendos, the X2 Pure delivers musical authority with an almost tactile presence. Ultra-low noise LDO regulators and a custom O-core toroidal transformer with silver-plated windings feed the critical analog stages, yielding a black background and pinpoint imaging. The built-in pre-amp offers up to +10dB gain at 15.8VRMS, and when paired with the matching element P2 power amplifier, it powers demanding floor-standers with effortless control. Whether you’re a critical listener or a cinema enthusiast, the X2 Pure integrates seamlessly, revealing layers of micro-detail you never knew existed.

Pros & Cons

• Pros:
  • Dual ES9039PRO DACs in mono mode for ultra-high dynamic range
  • Crystek femtosecond clock for near-zero jitter
  • Symmetrical CNC aluminium chassis with RF shielding
  • Full MQA decode, DSD Native, Roon Ready and HDMI ARC
  • Built-in pre-amp with +10dB gain and Hyper-Control tech
  • Intuitive MA Remote App and 3.46” touchscreen
• Cons:
  • Premium price point reflective of flagship performance
  • Feature-rich ecosystem may require a brief learning curve

Elevating Your Audio Journey

If you’re an audiophile seeking the purest streaming solution, the Matrix Audio element X2 Pure Music Streamer is a revelation. Ready to unlock unprecedented resolution and dynamics? Call our team at The Audio Tailor on 1300 308 711 or email sales@theaudiotailor.com.au to discuss how the X2 Pure can transform your system. Our experts are here to tailor the perfect setup for your space and preferences—because every note deserves to be heard exactly as the artist intended.