With this updated version of the X-Sabre Pro, Matrix offers us a 32bit DAC based on an ES9038Pro chip. This new version adds support for Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) technology to the already impressive technical capabilities of the X-Sabre Pro.

This 32bit DAC is thus able to manage DSD and PCM digital streams (including MQA), making it an extremely complete high-fidelity converter.

Testing and measurements by Audio Science Review

" That beauty runs deep when it comes to performance as Matrix Audio X-Sabre Pro MQA unseats its own brother to take the crown of the best DAC I have ever measured. Considering that the list now includes nearly 160 DACs, this is an incredible achievement. "

Ultra-complete connectivity

The DAC X-Sabre Pro MQA has an impressive array of connectors including USB, Coaxial, Optical, AES/EBU and I2S LVDS via HDMI.

The I2S port offers excellent transmission performance and allows short distance and very high speed interconnections.

Finally, this I2S input allows the X-Sabre Pro MQA to process DSD files up to DSD1024 (45,158Mhz).

High precision electronic circuitry

In order to integrate as well as possible with all audiophile installations, the X-Sabre Pro MQA from Matrix Audio has a clock configuration function, capable of activating the ES9038Pro's own asynchronous clock, but also its own ultra-low noise internal clock. Dedicated software controls this setting to significantly improve the decoding of audio streams.

Both clocks are operated by Crystek high-frequency audio oscillators. The latter benefit from an extremely low phase noise of -169dB and provide clock signals of dreadful accuracy. Two oscillators are in charge of 44.1kHz and 48kHz sampling rates and their multiples, while the third is the reference clock of the ES9038Pro chip.

No less than 10 power supply units ensure the proper functioning of each unit in the circuit. A dedicated ultra-low noise LDO ES9311 controller with two own power supply units (1µVrms of noise) provides power to the left and right channels of the analog circuit.

XMOS XU2016 & AK4118 Interfaces

To get the most out of the ES9038Pro's excellent capabilities, the X-Sabre Pro MQA features an XMOS XU2016 USB interface (asynchronous) and an AK4118 S/PDIF interface.

These high-performance components allow the DAC to work under the best conditions in order to benefit from excellent computing power and multi-channel processing capacity.