Matrix Audio X-Sabre Pro MQA - Black
Condition Report
Score: 4 / 5 Excellent
Extremely clean. Shows only minimal, subtle signs of use.
- ✓ Remote
- ✓ Quick Start Guide
- ✓ USB Cable
- ✓ Mains Cable
Highly Commended
Product Overview & Specifications
The Matrix Audio X-SABRE Pro MQA is a flagship digital-to-analogue converter and digital preamplifier engineered around the 8-channel ESS Sabre ES9038PRO 32-bit HyperStream DAC chip. Built within a CNC-machined monobloc aluminium chassis for structural rigidity and electromagnetic shielding, the unit achieves an ultra-low noise floor with a signal-to-noise ratio exceeding 134 dB and THD+N below 0.00012%. The converter architecture supports both synchronous and asynchronous master clock modes, utilizing three dedicated Crystek ultra-low phase noise crystal oscillators (-169 dBc/Hz) alongside ESS ES9311Q low-dropout linear regulators delivering clean 1 µVrms power rails to the analogue stages.
The X-SABRE Pro provides comprehensive high-resolution digital decoding, processing PCM streams up to 32-bit/768kHz and native DSD up to DSD512 via asynchronous USB, as well as native DSD1024 via its HDMI-configured I2S interface. Complete "Full Port DSD" capability enables DoP64 and dCS decoding across all traditional digital inputs, including AES/EBU, coaxial, and optical connections. Featuring an integrated preamplifier mode with up to +18 dB of digital gain, seven user-selectable PCM reconstruction filters, a circular tempered-glass touch-control front panel, and full-function IR remote operation, the X-SABRE Pro interfaces directly with power amplifiers or active monitor systems.
KEY FEATURES & PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGIES
- ESS Sabre ES9038PRO Architecture: 8-channel 32-bit HyperStream DAC platform configured for balanced parallel operation to achieve 134 dB SNR and 0.00012% THD+N.
- Synchronous & Asynchronous Dual Clock Modes: Software-configurable clock routing allows switching between the ES9038PRO internal DPLL synchronous mode and an ultra-low-jitter asynchronous master clock.
- Triple Crystek Femtosecond Oscillators: Incorporates three specialized Crystek oscillators with phase noise down to -169 dBc/Hz (dedicated reference clocks for 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz multiples, and the DAC core).
- Dedicated ES9311Q Ultra-Low-Noise LDO Regulation: Utilises dual ESS ES9311Q low-dropout regulators (1 µVrms noise floor) for independent left/right analogue supply, supported by 10 discrete sub-circuit LDO stages.
- Comprehensive Native DSD & PCM Playback: Supports high-resolution digital playback up to PCM 768kHz and DSD512 via USB, native DSD1024 via HDMI-I2S, and DoP/dCS decoding across all S/PDIF and AES/EBU inputs.
- Direct HDMI-IIS Input Interface: Dedicated I2S input via HDMI port delivers raw digital audio streams directly to the DAC chip without S/PDIF or USB re-encoding.
- Integrated Digital Preamplifier Functionality: Selectable pure DAC line-level output or variable preamplifier mode offering up to +18 dB of clean digital gain.
- Solid CNC Aluminum Enclosure with Touch Display: Precision-milled unibody aluminum chassis paired with a circular black tempered-glass faceplate featuring integrated touch-capacitive controls.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product Category | Reference Digital-to-Analogue Converter & Digital Pre-Amplifier |
| Brand / Model | Matrix Audio — X-SABRE Pro (MQA Edition) |
| D/A Conversion Chip | ESS Technology Sabre ES9038PRO (32-Bit HyperStream Architecture) |
| Internal Master Clocks | 3x Crystek Ultra-Low Phase Noise Oscillators (-169 dBc/Hz) |
| Clock Operating Modes | Selectable Synchronous / Asynchronous Operation |
| Digital Audio Inputs | 1x USB (Type B), 1x I2S (HDMI Connector), 1x AES/EBU (XLR), 1x Coaxial (RCA), 1x Optical (TOSLINK) |
| USB Sampling Rates | PCM: 16–32 Bit / 44.1 kHz – 768 kHz | DSD: DSD64–DSD256 (DoP/dCS), DSD64–DSD512 (Native ASIO) |
| I2S (HDMI) Sampling Rates | PCM: 16–32 Bit / 44.1 kHz – 768 kHz | DSD: DSD64–DSD256 (DoP), DSD64–DSD1024 (Native DSD, 45.158 MHz) |
| Coaxial / Optical / AES Sampling Rates | PCM: 16–24 Bit / 44.1 kHz – 192 kHz | DSD: DSD64 (DoP / dCS) |
| Analogue Outputs | 1x Stereo Balanced XLR Pair, 1x Stereo Single-Ended RCA Pair |
| Balanced Output Level (XLR) | 4.5 Vrms Fixed @ 0 dBFS (DAC Mode) | 0–4.5 Vrms Adjustable (Pre-Amp Mode) |
| Single-Ended Output Level (RCA) | 2.25 Vrms Fixed @ 0 dBFS (DAC Mode) | 0–2.25 Vrms Adjustable (Pre-Amp Mode) |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) | XLR: > -134 dB (20 Hz – 20 kHz, A-Weighted) | RCA: > -129 dB (20 Hz – 20 kHz, A-Weighted) |
| Total Harmonic Distortion (THD+N) | XLR: < 0.00012% @ 1 kHz, < 0.00015% @ 20 Hz – 20 kHz | RCA: < 0.00018% @ 1 kHz |
| Frequency Response | 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz (+0.01 dB / -0.02 dB) |
| Channel Crosstalk | XLR: > -151 dB @ 1 kHz | RCA: > -143 dB @ 1 kHz |
| Digital Filter Selection | 7x User-Selectable PCM Reconstruction Filters |
| Power Supply Regulation | Noratel Toroidal Transformer with Dual ES9311Q LDO Regulators + 10 Independent LDO Rails |
| Power Requirements & Draw | AC 220V–240V (50/60 Hz) / AC 100V–120V (50/60 Hz), Switchable | < 10 W Consumption |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 300 x 218 x 45 mm (Including Protrusions) |
| Net Weight | 3.7 kg |
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