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  6. X-SABRE 3
X-SABRE 3

Matrix Audio X-SABRE 3 User manual

  • Hello! I've reviewed the user manual for the MATRIX AUDIO X-SABRE 3 audio DAC. This document covers the device's features, connections, playback options including network streaming, and settings. I'm here to help if you have any questions about the device or its setup.
  • What input sources are supported by the X-SABRE 3?
    What type of output connections does the X-SABRE 3 have?
    Does the X-SABRE 3 support network connectivity?
    What is the purpose of the trigger inputs and outputs?
    What is MQA and how is it supported on the device?
1.Packinglist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01
2.Partsandnames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01
2.1Frontpanel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01
2.2Rearpanel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02
2.3Homescreen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02
2.4Remotecontrol. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 03
3.Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 04
3.1ConnecttoACpower. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 04
3.2Connecttoinputsource . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 05
3.3Connecttoactivespeakersorpoweramplifiers . . . . . . 05
3.4ConnectotherdevicesviaTrigger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 06
3.5Connecttonetwork . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 06
3.6MARemoteApp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.6.1InstallMARemoteApp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.6.2AddingdevicebyscanningQRcode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.6.3Tutorialvideoforcontrol/config . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.Playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.1Basicoperations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.1.1Poweronandstandby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.1.2Selectinputsource . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.1.3Volumecontrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.1.4Mute/unmute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4.1.5Filtersettings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4.1.6SetSYNCmode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4.1.7Dimmer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4.1.8Autostandby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4.1.9Remotecontrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4.2Playmusicviaoptical,coaxialorIIS-LVDSport . . . . . . . 14
4.3PlaymusicviaUSBAudioport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4.4Airplay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
5.Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
6.Appendix. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
6.1AboutMQA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
6.2IIS-LVDSPort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
6.3TechnicalSpecifications .........................19
6.4Powersupply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
6.5Otherspecifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
1.Poweron/Standby
3.Input
5.Volume-/Leftarrow
7.Filter
9.Settingsmenu
2.Dimmer
4.Mute/Unmute
6.Volume+/Rightarrow
8.SYNCmode
1.Productx1
Duetoregulatoryrestrictions,itmaynotbeprovidedinsomecases.
*
1.Packinglist 2.Partsandnames
01
*
2.1Frontpanel
4.Lithiumbatteryx1
2.Remotecontrolx1
3.Powercordx1
1.RightXLRanalogoutput
3.LeftRCAanalogoutput
5.IIS-LVDSinput
7.Coaxialinput
9.Ethernet
11.Triggerinput
2.RightRCAanalogoutput
4.LeftXLRanalogoutput
6.Opticalinput
8.USBaudioinput
10.Triggeroutput
12.ACinput
1.Samplingrate
3.Inputchannel
5.Audioformat
7.Filtertype
2.Volumering
4.SYNCmode
6.Networkstatus
2.2Rearpanel 2.3Homescreen
02
2.4Remotecontrol
1.Poweron/Standby
2.Mute/Unmute
3.Volume+
4.Volume-
5.Filter
6.Working/BatteryLED
7.Dimmer
8.Input
9.SYNCMode
10.Shortcut
10
03
X-SABRE3iscompatiblewithAC100-120VandAC220-240Vpowerspecifications.Pleasemake
suretoselectcorrectvoltageoptiontomatchyourlocalpowerbeforeconnecting theunitto
powersupply.Asshown:
Thetwooptions115Vand230Varestandsfor:
The115VoptionisfitforAC100V-120V50/60Hz
The230VoptionisfitforAC220V-240V50/60Hz
3.1ConnecttoACpower
3.Connections
04
Pleaseuse thepowercable whichincludesanEarthwire.Ensure youhaveareliableEarth
wireconnectiontoavoidanelectricalshock.
Please unplug the power cable if you need the unit to be disconnected from the mains
completely.
YoucanconnecttheX-SABRE3toS/PDIFoutputdevicesviacoaxialandopticalport,or
connecttoanaudiointerfacefromMatrixX-SPDIF2viaIIS-LVDSport.
TheX-SABRE3canbeconnectedtoactivespeakersoramplifiersviaRCAorXLRcables.Inorder
to avoid damage to your devices, please turn off the active speakers or amplifiers before
connectingthemtoX-SABRE3.
IN
OUT
IN
OUT
3.2Connecttoinputsource 3.3Connecttoactivespeakersorpoweramplifiers
05
TriggerIn
X-SABRE3acceptstriggersignalfromtheTriggerOutofotherdevices.ConnectX-SABRE3toa
devicewithaTriggerOuttoachievethepowerlinkageofthisunitandotherdevices.
TriggerOut
ConnectX-SABRE3toadevicewithaTriggerIntoachieve thepowerlinkageofthisunitand
otherdevices.
Cables
Useanon-resistancecablewith1/8inch(3.5mm)monoplugsfortriggerconnection.Donotuse
acablewithstereoplugsforthispurpose.
3.5Connecttonetwork
ConnecttoEthernet
X-SABRE3supports1000MbpsEthernetconnection,aCAT-6orhigherversionshieldedEthernet
cableisrecommended.ConnectX-SABRE3tothenetworkrouterwithEthernetcable,andletthe
unitinthenetworkasshownbelow:
3.4ConnectotherdevicesviaTrigger
Enterthe13thoption"Network"inSettingsmenu,select"LAN"asshownbelow:
06
Itis recommended toset up therouter as DHCPserver,the unit willbe assigned an IP
addressautomatically.Afterjoiningthenetwork,there willbean Ethernet iconshown
onthescreen.Asshownbelow:
Enter the 13th option "Network settings" in Settings menu, select "Wi-Fi" as shown
below:
07
ConnecttoWLAN
LettheX-SABRE3inthenetworkasshownbelow:
Afterthenetworksearchiscompleted,usethe""or" "touch-keytoselecttheSSIDtobe
connected.X-SABRE3supports2.4g/5gwirelessnetwork.
Afterenteringthepassword,select"Join"tostartconnectingtothiswirelessnetwork.
Tapthe""touch-keytoenterthepasswordinputinterface,tapthe""or""touch-keyto
switchcharacters.""touch-keytoselectacharacterand""touch-keytoswitchthe
keyboard.
Afterjoiningthewirelessnetwork,therewillbeawirelessnetworkiconshownonthescreen.As
shownbelow:
08
Theantennasforwirelessconnectionarelocatedintheareashowninthefigurebelow,toensure
agoodsignal,pleasedonotplacemetalobjectsinthisareaonthetopoftheunit.
WhentheconnectedEthernetorWLANisnotconnectedtotheinternet,theHomescreenwill
displayayellowicon,asshownbelow:
09
InstallMARemoteAppforyouriPad,iPhoneorAndroidphone.
Opentheapp,select“X-SABRE3”,click“Next”andfollowthepromptstoentertheScan
QRCodepageofMARemoteApp.
To control and configure the element device through MA Remote App,
or playback streaming music from the element devices, please refer to
matrix-digi.com/tutorialsforinstructions.
Playback
10
Tapthe""touch-keytoenterthesettingspagewhenthedeviceispoweron.
Aftertapping the""touch-key again， the screen will display theQRcode,
scanittocompletetheadditionofthedevice.
3.6MARemoteApp
3.6.1InstallMARemoteApp
3.6.2AdddevicebyscanningQRcode
3.6.3Tutorialvideoforcontrol/config
4.1Basicoperations
AtHomescreen,tapthe""and""touch-keytoadjustthevolumestepbystep,tapandhold
thetouch-keytoadjustvolumerapidly.ThescreenwilldisplaycurrentvolumebydB.
When the Lineout mode was set to "Fixed", the volume cannot be adjusted, there will be no
volumeringontheHomescreen.
"Fixed" output means that the device outputs a maximum level signal at 0dB. Before
selectingthismode,makesurethatyourpoweramplifieroractivespeakershavebeen
adjusted to a lower volume level. If the amplifier or speakers do not have volume
control, do NOT set to "Fixed" output mode, other wise this operation may damage to
yourdevicesandharmtoyourears.
11
Playback
4.Playback
Afterconnectingtothepowersupply,touchthe""touch-keyonthedevice.Afterhearingthe
beepforafewseconds,thescreenwilllightupandLCDscreenthestartupbar.Thefirststartup
after connecting to the power supply will take about 30 seconds. Without disconnecting the
powersupply,thetimeofstartupwillbelessthan5seconds.Tapandholdthe""touch-keyon
the unitortheremotecontrol for about2seconds,orshortpress the" "touch-keyto enter
Standbymode.
AtHomescreen,tap""touch-key,tapthe""and" "toselectinputchannelsbetween
coaxial,optical,IIS-LVDS,USBAudioandstreaming,tapthe""touch-keyagaintoconfirmand
gobacktotheHomescreen.
4.1.1Poweronandstandby
4.1.2Selectinputsource
4.1.3Voulmecontrol
CAUTION:
Tapthe""touch-keyatHomescreentomutethedevice,tapitagainortapthe""and""
touch-keytounmute.Itcanalsobeunmutebypressingthe"",""or""buttononthe
remotecontrol.
Filtersettings
AtHomescreen,tapthe""touch-keytoselectPCM/DSDfilters.TaponcetosetPCMfilter,tap
againtosetDSDfilters,usethe""or""touch-keytoselectfilters,tapthe""touch-keyagain
toconfirmitandbacktoHomescreen.
SetSYNCmode
At Home screen, tap the "   " touch-key to let the D/A chip work at synchronous or
asynchronousmodes.WhentheD/Amodewassettosynchronousmode,therewillbea
SYNCmodeicononthescreen.
12
Playback
4.1.4Mute/Unmute 4.1.6SetSYNCmode
4.1.5Filtersetting Dimmer
InordertoavoidinterferencefromtheLEDandtheLCDscreentapthe""touch-keyatHome
screen,theLEDofallthetouch-keyswillbeturnedoff,andatthesametime,thebrightnessofthe
LCDscreenwillbedimmed.Tapanytouch-keystoquitDimmermode.
Autostandby
When theoptical,coaxial,USBAudio andIIS-LVDSinput channelisselected,the input
signal not locked, there is not any touch-keys or remote control operations, and the
duration of such state reaches the set auto standby time, then it will automatically
standby. When the streaming input channel is selected, no playing, there is not any
touch-keysorremotecontroloperations,andthedurationofsuchstatereachestheset
autostandbytime,thenitwillautomaticallystandby.
4.1.7Dimmer
4.1.8Autostandby
30°
30°
About8meters.
Point the remote control to the IR remote receiver like in the following picture, the remote
distance is about 8 meters and the battery life is about 1 year. When the battery is low, the
Workingindicatorontheremotecontrolflashesred,thescreenwillalsoremindyoutoreplace
thebattery.
Theremotecontrolhasashortcutbutton.Itcanbedefinedasanyinputchannelsorfiltersinthe
Settingsmenu,whichisconvenientforyoutoquicklyoperatefrequentlyuseditems,anditalso
canbesettoOFF.
If there are more than one MATRIX device in the same environment, in order to prevent one
remote control from controlling serval devices at the same time, the remote control has 5
addresscodes,andtheseaddresscodescanbesetintheSettingsmenutorealizethe"oneto
one"controlbetweenthedeviceandtheremotecontrol.
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Remotecontrol
TheremotecontrolusesaCR2032battery,installthebatteryinthebatteryholderatbottomof
theremotecontrol.Pleasenotethepolarity.
4.1.9Remotecontrol
4.2Playmusicviaoptical,coaxialorIIS-LVDSport
ConnecttheunittostandardS/PDIFoutputdevicesviaopticalandcoaxial,orconnect
to MATRIX X-SPDIF 2 viaIIS-LVDS port.The signalformat andthesamplingratewill be
displayed when the signal is locked properly. Otherwise, please check whether the
cablesconnectedreliablyandthefront-enddevicehasoutputsignals.
4.3PlaymusicviaUSBAudioport
Connect the X-SABRE 3 to a computer via a USB type-B to type-A cable, drivers need to be
installedwhen usingon aPC withWindows 7/8/10.Find thedriver installationpackagefrom
ii.Selectinstallationpathandclick"Install".
InstalldriversforWindows.
i.Double-clickthedriverinstallationpackageandclick"Next".
iii.Click"Next"aftertheinstallationiscomplete.
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MATRIXAudiowebsite,theinstallationprocess
asfollows:
https://matrix-digi.com/en/downloads/
iv.Click"Finish"toclosethewizard.
It’s no need to install drivers for macOS, select “X-SABRE 3” as audio device in System
Preferences.
X-SABRE3canbeconnectedtoaniPhoneoriPadviaaLightningtoUSBCameraAdapter.
X-SABRE 3 can be connected to Android devices via an OTG adapter, but not every Android
devicesarecompatiblewithX-SABRE3viaOTGconnection.
4.4AirPlay
X-SABRE3supportsAirPlay2,whenconnectedtoyourlocalareanetwork,youcancastthemusic
totheunitfromyouriPhone,iPadorMACviaAirPlay.LettheiPhone,iPadandMACinthesame
network withthis unit,tapAirPlay iconin theControl Centerand select"X-SABRE3-XXXX" as
playbackdevice,thenenjoythemusic.Thealbumartimagewillbedisplayedonthescreen
ofX-SABRE3,andtheoutputvolumecanbecontrolledbythesenderdevice.
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RoonReady
X-SABRE3haspassedRoonReadycertification,youcanenableandselectthisunitfromRoon,
theaudiofileswillbestreamedtotheunitbit-perfectly.Thealbumartimageoftheplayingtrack
willbedisplayedonthedevicescreen.Youalsocancontroltheoutputvolume,poweronand
enterstandbymodethroughtheRooncontrollerapp.
TIDALconnect
X-SABRE3supportsTIDALconnect.Whenconnectedtothelocalareanetwork,youcancastthe
musictoX-SABRE3fromTIDALapponyourmobiledevicesorcomputers.SelectX-SABRE3inthe
broadcastmenuinTIDALapp,asshownbelow:
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SpotifyConnect
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NOTE:
When playing with a higher sampling rate via the network, considering the stability and
bandwidthofthewirelessconnection,pleaseusetheEthernetconnectionfirsttogetthebest
playbackexperience.
Useyourphone,tabletorcomputerasaremotecontrolforSpotify.Goto
tolearnhow.
spotify.com/connect
DLNA/UPnP
X-SABRE3supportsDLNA/UPnP.Whenconnectedto thelocalarea network,youcancastthe
musictoX-SABRE3fromDLNA/UPnPsupportedappsonyourmobiledevicesorcomputers.
DLNA/UPnPisanopenprotocol,wecannotensurealltheDLNA/UPnPappsarecompatible
withX-SABRE3.
AtHomescreen,tapthe""touch-keytoenterSettingsmenu.Usethe""and""touch-key
toswitchitems,tapthe""touch-keyagaintoentertheoptionsoftheselecteditem.As
shownbelow:
5.Settings
Youcanconfiguretheitemsaccordingtotheinstructionsonthescreen.
6.Appendix
X-SABRE 3 includes a MQA full decoder, which enables you to play back MQA audio files and
streamsviaUSBaudioportorfromRoon,deliveringthesoundoftheoriginalmasterrecording.
GreenorbluedotbesideMQAlogoindicatesthattheproductisdecodingandplayingan
MQAstreamorfile,anddenotesprovenancetoensurethatthesoundisidenticaltothat
ofthesourcematerial.
ThedotglowsmagentatoindicatethattheunitisrenderinganMQAstreamorfile.Thisdelivers
thefinalunfoldoftheMQAfile.
TheIIS-LVDSportofX-SABRE3isbasedonstandard19-pinHDMIconnector.Ituses4setsofLVDS
differential signals to transmit IIS data. It supports up to 32Bit/768kHz PCM signal input and
1Bit/22.4MHzDSDsignalinput.
X-SABRE3iscompatiblewith4setsofIIS-LVDSportdefinitions,youcanfindthepindefinition
diagramin“IIS-LVDSdefinition”optioninSettingsmenu.
ThePCMformatisthestandardIISformat,theDSDformatsupportsnativeDSDandDoP
(DSDoverPCM).
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6.1AboutMQA(MasterQualityAuthenticated)
6.2IIS-LVDSport
GreenorbluedotbesideMQAlogoindicatesthattheproductisdecodingandplayingan
MQAstreamorfile.
/