Features
| Colour | Black |
|---|---|
| Brand | Matrix Audio |
Product Description
The Matrix Audio Mini i4 streamer and headphone amplifier is the latest iteration of this popular device. This unit has been upgraded for the next generation and features a two-colour aluminium shell. Moreover, there is a 3.46” LCD touchscreen and a new user interface. Another upgrade is the latest ES9039Q2M D/A chip from ESS.
The unit also offers high-quality hi-res streaming and a wealth of connectivity. Streaming is Roon compatible and you can listen to hundreds of internet radio stations. Finally, an HDMI ARC connection allows for HD streaming from your TV or Projector.
Hi quality streaming
Streaming functionality has been improved with the Matrix Audio Mini I4 streamer. This enables Roon to be used to playback bit-perfect music streams over the LAN. You can also feed music to the device from an iPhone or iPad using AirPlay. Roon acts as a hub for your music collection, finding the links between your music and similar tracks on the internet.
Additionally, there is an HDMI ARC input. This enables HD audio to be fed to the Matrix Audio Mini i4 streamer from your TV or projector. The supported sampling rate is up to 24 bit/193kHz with PCM signals. Finally, Local playback is enabled from USB storage devices and NAS drives. The MA app automatically builds a music library from the stored files. You can easily find music based on albums, tracks, and artists.
Control playback with MA player from Matrix Audio
Two apps are available from Matrix Audio with the Mini I4 streamer. The first is MA Player, which allows smartphones or tablets to browse or play music on the streamer. Music can be stored locally on network drives or USB storage devices. The MA remote App is available for Android and iOS devices and allows you to browse and play hi-res files from TIDAL, Qobuz as well as hundreds of internet radio stations. It is also used to update the unit and adjust hardware settings.
HD Bluetooth & Dual Frequency WIFI
Bluetooth devices can stream to the Mini I4 streamer, using LDAC at 24bit/96kHz resolution. Alternately, aptX HD can stream at 24bit/48kHz. This provides a hi-res audio signal wirelessly. There is also Dual-band WIFI built-in and there is a discrete WIFI aerial, that provides a good signal with high speed and stable access. There is also a wired Ethernet connector.
MQA Core Decoding and Rendering
Additionally, the Mini I4 streamer features MQA decoding. MQA stands for Master Quality Authenticated and is claimed to deliver the sound of the original master recording. The files are relatively small and carry an authentication flag that guarantees they are genuine. Notably, the Mini I4 streamer has a full MQA decoder. Therefore no software decoding is needed.
Great connectivity
The Mini I4 streamer’s Analogue inputs and outputs include two balanced XLR outputs as well as RCA outputs. There is also a line-level RCA input. Digital connections include both optical and coaxial inputs as well as an IIS-LVDS connection using an HDMI connector.
There is also a USB socket and a Wired Ethernet connector. Moreover, there is a set of RCA inputs that have three gain levels. This allows you to set the input gain depending on the connected device. For example, some older tape decks have a high output that would overload a standard input.
Only the best components
This new generation Mini I4 streamer has had every aspect looked at. The power supply has been greatly improved with both the output power and noise level better than previous versions. Finally, a Crystek CCHD-950 femtosecond clock has been added. This increases the decoding accuracy and reduces jitter. The processor is now a NXP I.MX 6UL Cortex-A7.
