MATRIX AUDIO ELEMENT M2

ELEMENT M2: Dual ES9028PRO ConversionELEMENT M2 steps up from ELEMENT i2 with a dual Sabre ES9028PRO DAC configuration, again timed by a Crystek CCHD-950 femtosecond clock built to minimise jitter in the digital-to-analog conversion stage.

The same NXP i.MX 6Quad Cortex-A9 processor runs the onboard streaming platform and 3.46-inch touch screen found across the ELEMENT range.

ELEMENT M2: Balanced Headphone Amplifier StageA 4.4mm balanced headphone output is driven by a 4-channel balanced headphone amplifier stage, alongside unbalanced RCA and balanced XLR line-level analogue outputs for feeding a separate amplifier or active speakers.

Having both a driven headphone stage and full line-level outputs on the same unit lets ELEMENT M2 work as a desktop headphone system or a full-size source component without changing hardware.

ELEMENT M2: Two Independent Power SuppliesELEMENT M2 separates its power supply into two independent sections - one dedicated to the ARM processor handling streaming and control, the other to the digital audio section - keeping processor-generated noise away from the conversion stage.

Digital inputs include USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, optical, coaxial and even microSD card playback, covering most ways a source might reach the unit.

ELEMENT M2: HDMI ARC and Streaming ProtocolsAn HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) port lets ELEMENT M2 take audio directly back from a television, folding a TV sound system into the same DAC and amplifier used for music playback.

Gigabit Ethernet plus dual-band 2.4GHz/5GHz Wi-Fi cover network connectivity, with DLNA, UPnP, AirPlay 2 and Roon Ready supported for streaming from a phone, computer or Roon Core.